Meet Sagnik Sengupta

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sagnik Sengupta. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sagnik below.

Sagnik, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I don’t think I’ve completely overcome imposter syndrome, it still comes and goes. Whenever I see a new motion design piece or visuals that truly impress me, I find myself wondering if I could pull it off. I’ll often look up the artist, feel a mix of awe and curiosity, and think, I need to step up my game. It’s like a healthy form of competition.

The difference is, I act on it. If something puts me on edge, I dig into it, research the piece, learn about the artist’s techniques, and try to replicate or adapt them using the resources I have. This not only sharpens my skills but also gives me a better understanding of the craft.

I also make a point to look back on my own body of work. Seeing the projects I’ve been part of helps reinforce my confidence. I believe a little self-doubt is healthy, if you use it as fuel to improve. Getting stuck in it, on the other hand, can hold you back. Every artist feels imposter syndrome at some point; what matters is finding your way to turn it into growth.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a 3D Generalist, Motion Designer, and Art Director based in Brooklyn, NY, originally from Kolkata, India. I grew up in a home where music and art were deeply valued, an environment that nurtured my curiosity and encouraged me to take creative risks. Art was always part of my life, so pursuing a creative career felt like the most natural path.

Ironically, while Kolkata is celebrated as a city of art and culture, home to renowned artists, filmmakers, writers and musicians, coming from a middle-class background meant that stepping away from traditional career paths like engineering, academia, or medicine was often frowned upon. I owe immense gratitude to my parents for supporting my decision over a decade ago.

After earning my Diploma in Animation, I began as a freelance graphic designer, gradually building confidence as clients trusted my work. A short stint at a corporate firm made me realize something was missing, I wanted to create work that blended my love for design and animation. While I admired traditional animation, I knew it wasn’t my cup of tea. Then, I discovered motion design through a ident for MTV made by Psyop, and I was mesmerized by how it fused design principles with animation.

At the time, I knew little about the field, but reading interviews and researching online revealed a growing global community making a living from it. Determined, I spent a year honing my skills, building my portfolio, and applying for jobs. Though early applications didn’t land, one of my pieces was featured in Behance’s curated section, which fueled my determination. I moved to Mumbai, hand-delivering my showreel to studios I admired, and finally landed my first break at Famous Studio, starting as an intern, but thrilled to be at the heart of the industry.

From there, my career gained momentum. I worked with notable design firms and media houses on projects spanning channel branding, print, live shoots, LED visuals, and show packaging. Early in my career, I thought the people creating movie titles were the coolest and, as fate would have it, I eventually joined Perception, a studio known for high end title sequences and futuristic user interfaces (FUIs), especially for Marvel Studios.

At Perception, I contributed to main-on-end titles for Loki S2, The Marvels, Agatha All Along, Captain America: Brave New World, Fantastic Four: First Steps and Daredevil: Born Again. I had the privilege of working alongside exceptionally talented creative leaders and designers, learning from their expertise and growing through the experience.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to have my work featured in creative publications, win Gold and Silver Promax Awards, earn a Telly Award, lead creative direction on music videos for a major show at MTV India, and see my name in the credits for Marvel films and series, big or small, these milestones reaffirmed my belief that I could make it all the way.

I approach every project with a focus on innovation, continuous learning, and the drive to bring fresh ideas to the table. I’m drawn to work that challenges me both creatively and technically, because I believe it’s through constant learning that all artists truly grow.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

That’s a great question. Everyone picks up their own lessons along the way, but if I had to pick three things that really shaped my journey, in this case my motion design career, they’d be:

A willingness to experiment and take risks : Don’t be afraid to try new ideas, explore unfamiliar territory, and push yourself outside your comfort zone. Some of my most rewarding projects came from stepping into something I’d never done before.

The art of storytelling : At the heart of every creative piece, whether it’s a single image or a 10-second motion sequence, there should be a story that connects with the audience. Strong visuals and design elevate the work, but it’s the story that gives it soul. I am not saying I am a expert at it but I always strive to keep storytelling as the central focus.

Problem-solving : This is both a creative and technical skill. It also applies to life itself. You will face roadblocks, lack of resources, tight deadlines, or knowledge gaps. The ability to find alternative ways to achieve the same outcome is invaluable. There’s rarely just one way to do something. Often, those constraints push you to think differently and can lead you to unexpected and exciting solutions.

My advice to anyone starting out: nurture these three qualities intentionally. Experiment often, focus on the story first, and see every obstacle as a chance to grow.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely, I’m always up for exciting collaborations. Whether you’re an agency or an individual with ideas and design needs, static or motion, I’d love to connect. I have a real soft spot for live visuals; they tap into my love for music and are always such a thrill to create. Projects like that are pure fun. Something for the Sphere? Oh, 100%, count me in!

Shoot your queries through my website’s ‘Reach out’ page – https://sagniksengupta.com/contact and let’s make something amazing together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sagniksengupta.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagniksengupta87/