An Inspired Chat with Ashutosh Rokade

We recently had the chance to connect with Ashutosh Rokade and have shared our conversation below.

Ashutosh, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a child, and it continues to be a big part of my life. Lately, I’ve been exploring oil painting and truly enjoying the process of experimenting with different techniques. Living in Savannah, Georgia, a city known for its charm and historic beauty, has also been incredibly inspiring. One of my favorite things to do outside of work is to walk around town, sketching people and places. Over time, I’ve filled many journals with sketches from coffee shops and street corners across Savannah.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ashutosh Rokade, and I’m a production designer, visual artist, and an architect originally from Pune, India, now based in Savannah, Georgia. I currently work at Basemint, a themed entertainment design studio.
At Basemint, I get to work on a wide range of domestic and international projects, developing concepts, designing show sets, creating storyboards, and contributing to overall master plans. When I entered the themed entertainment industry, it was an entirely new world for me, but over the past two years, I’ve come to love how it combines storytelling, art, and design into tangible experiences.
The thing that excites me most about my job is the opportunity to design and experiment with my craft while collaborating with a talented group of people.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My parents have always seen my potential long before I did. They’ve stood by me through every decision, encouraging me even when I was uncertain, and their faith has been a constant source of strength. Knowing that they believe in me makes it easier to take risks, and I’m deeply grateful for that foundation of trust and support.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
Since I was 13, I was determined to become an architect. But over time, I realized I was drawn to more imaginative, narrative-driven design. That led me to work in the art departments of films, designing dressing sets and exploring visual storytelling.
After completing my master’s in Production Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2023, I initially planned to pursue a career in film. However, the Hollywood writers’ strike coincided with my job search, forcing me to reconsider my path. It was a difficult decision, but shifting my focus to the themed entertainment industry turned out to be one of the best choices I’ve made. It opened doors to new creative challenges and helped me discover a field where architecture, art, and storytelling intersect perfectly.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe that success followed a straight path, that if I worked hard and made the right choices, everything would unfold exactly as planned. Over time, I’ve learned that creative careers rarely follow a linear route. Detours and unexpected turns often lead to the most rewarding opportunities. Now, I see uncertainty not as failure but as an essential part of growth and discovery.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Absolutely. Sometimes the anticipation of achieving something feels more fulfilling than the achievement itself. But I’ve learned to take that positively because it means there’s still room to grow. I try to stay grateful for what I accomplish while using that sense of “not enough” as motivation to aim higher and keep evolving.