Out Design Chief is among Best Entrepreneurs

Name: Mishta Roy

Business: DRAWATER is providing quality print graphic design to any client in the world. I design books, magazines and other primary products for publishing houses etc. I also look after various client design collaterals such as posters, tickets, banners, brochures, standees, press con banners, flyers, emailers, invitations, stage design, trophy design…the list can be as limited or as exhaustive as required by the client.

I hire photographers, illustrators, fabricators, technical people as and when projects require them thus keeping my overheads low and working with various people who are based all over India and even outside.

It’s an interesting system that works well in today’s internet connected world, where a group of creative people come together for a project, no matter where they are. For example, I have worked with a client in Mexico, a technical person in Bombay and a photographer in New York and I in Bangalore, all on the same project and this project process has been repeated every two months for three years.

The Woman behind the Entrepreneur:
I graduated First Class First in Fine Art from Delhi College of Art, followed by a Masters degree (MFA) from Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design in London, which was funded by a Aga Khan Foundation grant and a Sarabhai Foundation scholarship. After working in various companies such as Tehelka, Macmillan, Saatchi&Saatchi, Explocity and Rave Magazine, I realized that a company working environment was not for me.

I always wanted to be associated with books, the arts, travel and film as these are my enduring loves and I finally decided to branch out on my own.

When did you first start your business and how did the business idea come about?
I started the business in 2005 when I had just moved to Bombay after getting married and the city offered many ideas and options. Fortunately I met up with prospective clients almost immediately and work came in and the company was born.

How much capital did you start with?
With my computer and a 1000 rupee a month internet connection.

In how much time did the business turn into a profit making venture?
Almost immediately because I had very few overheads. I worked out of my study. I would hire creative people as and when I required and the client would pay for them separately. I got my first big break from Mrs. Sangita Jindal of Jindal Steel whose quarterly magazine ArtIndia I have been designing for the last six years now.

What were the initial years like?
The initial years were tough but also immensely enjoyable as I started working with clients more and more involved with the arts such as India Foundation For The Arts. I think clients too realized that as a trained artist I was better able to handle projects on the Arts with more care, sensitivity and understanding and that helped a great deal.

What are some of the top challenges you faced and how did you surmount them?
It has been and still is difficult to convince clients that it does not matter where I or the team is geographically based and that technology allows for far greater control and communication than before. A lot of traditional clients have trouble with that concept. However I am able now to demonstrate to them that if a 120 page magazine can be designed and co-ordinated and published from a different city again and again, and, this system works. A Bombay based client Leadstart Publishing considers me their creative director. I handle every aspect of their design requirements from collaterals to book covers, based from Bangalore and meet them physically once a year!

What challenges do you continue to face and what is your strategy to tackle them?
The challenges I still face are clients who are uncomfortable never having seen me or any of the team. Being isolated too is a very real problem when one works almost always virtually. Networking becomes difficult as well. Also convincing clients that as a single person with a virtual team I’d be more cost and time effective than a larger branded agency.

What drives you?
I am an artist and what drives me is the need to create art in whatever form I can. I am also driven by the absolute enjoyment at being involved with the arts both as a creator and as a supplier of a service. The faith and trust my clients have put into my brand of working is an enormous motivator. Every year I try to do some projects pro bono so I can give back to the industry.

How many hours do you work per week?
No fixed hours, as and when there is work. I commit that to every client that I am always available.

What tips would you like to give to budding entrepreneurs?
Follow your goals but do not lose touch with reality, be practical, start small, dont get seduced by risky projects that promise a lot of money.
It’s better to have smaller long term clients who are steady.
Be honest with clients and yourself, work hard and you will achieve results.
There are no short cuts to success.

Related books and blog posts:

1. Our Team at Leadstart Publishing
2. You Are Not Alone
3. Graduate in a Day