Meet Arushi Sharma

We were lucky to catch up with Arushi Sharma recently and have shared our conversation below.

Arushi , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

For me, confidence wasn’t something I woke up with one day — it was built, brushstroke by brushstroke, project by project. I still remember my first role as a print designer, spending entire days hand-painting — sometimes eight hours straight — while learning how to transform those paintings into designs ready for commercial production. That discipline taught me more than just technique; it taught me resilience and pride in my craft. Later, as a textile designer, I expanded beyond prints into embroidery and woven textiles for a variety of soft home product categories. Each step added a new layer to my skill set, but the real game-changer was having mentors who pushed me, challenged me, and believed in my potential — often before I even believed in it myself.

I never consciously set out to become a design director. I just focused on learning something new every single day and doing my best work, especially when no one was watching. Over time, those small acts compounded into big shifts in both my skills and my confidence. To me, confidence is a long game. There’s no shortcut. It grows through experience, risk-taking, mistakes, and the courage to try again. It’s about evolving — one lesson, one leap, and one fearless brushstroke at a time.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I was born and raised in New Delhi, the vibrant capital of India, and my love for art and craft began in childhood. My grandfather, a professional artist who worked for the government, was my first mentor — always encouraging me, offering guidance, and nurturing my creativity. In school, I was the one decorating the class pinboards for every season, jumping at the chance to enter drawing competitions, and living for art and craft periods. That early joy of creating has stayed with me ever since.

Storytelling has always been at the heart of my work, and I think my signature lies in the detail and emotion I pour into every piece. My creative process is fluid and intuitive — I never fully map out every element before I start. Instead, I sketch the flow, paint whichever motif draws me in, and connect the dots later. That’s why my work sometimes has overlaps or imperfections — they’re part of its charm. My art is my one space without rules, where the chaos of my thoughts often finds its way into the tiniest dots and patterns. I’m deeply proud of the Indian DNA in my work; it’s an honest reflection of who I am — an artist who will always carry Indian art (and yes, Indian food) wherever life takes me.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three qualities that have shaped my journey the most are hard work, a determination to learn something new every single day, and the discipline to grow with each lesson. In terms of skills, mastering the right tools is essential — for me, that meant developing an in-depth knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite. Equally important has been understanding the full product lifecycle: from the spark of a new design, to sampling, to product development, and finally to production. Designs often evolve dramatically along the way, and knowing this process inside and out helps you make better creative decisions and deliver stronger results.

My advice for those early in their careers is this: always keep yourself challenged, and never get too comfortable in one role or skill set. Go the extra mile, even when no one is watching — that’s often where your best work comes from. Learn from people and experiences, and seek guidance from those you admire. In design, there’s rarely one “right” way to do things, so absorb different perspectives before finding your own process. And perhaps most importantly, never take things personally at work — it keeps you open to feedback, resilient through challenges, and focused on growing into the best version of yourself.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My team has been my greatest strength. I believe a simple round-table discussion can solve almost anything. When everyone feels safe to share feedback — no matter their title — that’s when real growth happens. I’m a firm believer that you’re never too experienced to learn. Every perspective brings something new, helping me see challenges from angles I might have missed. It’s this collective wisdom that fuels not just solutions, but ongoing skill-building and growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://arushisharma25.com/printdesign/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arushi-sharma-236612b4