Meet Niranjan Patil

We recently connected with Niranjan Patil and have shared our conversation below.

Niranjan, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?

Empathy is a strong feeling. I can be quite sensitive to my environment and sense others’ feelings. I believe it boiled down to the environment I was born and raised in, especially growing up with a narcissistic father. His controlling behavior—emotional and financial abuse, dictating even the smallest aspects of our lives, from controlling what we wore to our haircuts—created a pretty oppressive environment for my mom, my sister, and me. It wasn’t easy, and for a long time, I thought that was just how life worked. The abuse was definitely our normal. There was no empathy in him whatsoever. But my mom’s strength and deep empathy set an entirely different example for me.

Despite everything she endured, my mom always put others first. She supported me in my artistic pursuits, fought to give me opportunities, and constantly demonstrated what it means to truly care about others, even when the circumstances were against her. Watching her navigate such adversity with kindness and grace taught me how powerful empathy can be.

Breaking free from that toxic environment in 2022 was life-changing. Supporting my mom and sister in rediscovering their independence and seeing them thrive inspired me to embrace the empathy I’d learned from my mom. She showed me that understanding someone else’s struggles—really feeling for them—isn’t a weakness but a strength.

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

I’m an experiential designer, and my work focuses on crafting immersive and engaging environments that connect with audiences in meaningful ways. While my background is rooted in production design for film and TV, I recently transitioned into the experiential marketing industry. This shift was a necessary pivot during and after the SAG-AFTRA and Writer’s Guild strikes, which led to a slowdown and thus a severe lack of work within the film and TV industry.

What excites me most about experiential design is the opportunity to blend storytelling, interactivity, and design to create memorable experiences. My film background plays a huge role in this, as it has honed my skills in crafting visually compelling and rich environments. Now, I get to apply those same skills to designing brand activations, immersive events, and interactive installations that leave lasting impressions.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I believe these qualities would be resilience, adaptability, and a strong foundation in art and design. Each of these has shaped my approach to challenges, creativity, and professional growth.

1. Resilience
Growing up in a challenging environment, supporting my family financially, and navigating career transitions taught me to stay strong and focused despite obstacles. Resilience is what kept me moving forward, even when things felt uncertain. Remember that there is always a way and that the sun will rise tomorrow. There is always hope and do not let anyone tell you otherwise. The world is big!

2. Cultural Awareness and Empathy
Growing up in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, being educated at a residential school in Southern India, moving across countries, and working with people from diverse backgrounds have all contributed to my cultural awareness and empathy. This helps me design experiences that resonate with a wide range of audiences. Simply listening to people’s experiences can help you understand the world. Some may have had it streamlined, some might have faced a lot more difficulties. Just remember that we are more alike than we are different.

3. Creative attention to detail and personal touch
In my experience as a designer, the small details can make or break an experience. Whether it’s researching historical accuracy for a set or adding a subtle element to an event that makes it engaging, paying attention to these finer points creates depth and authenticity while making it relatable to the audience. Remember that you are unique, and that you have your own style. Make sure you leave a mark in every design!

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Sometimes I do feel overwhelmed with things that seem to be beyond my control or things that might take a lot of time to resolve. Work can be overwhelming but I always manage to get it under control. Usually, I lean into activities that help me clear my mind and reconnect with myself. Jogging is one of my go-to activities—it not only relieves stress but also gives me a sense of accomplishment. Every mile and every calorie I burn feels great! Gardening is another favorite; there’s something incredibly calming about nurturing plants and watching them grow fruit. It has taught me patience and that all good things take time.

Sometimes, a simple walk or sitting in nature does wonders. Being surrounded by greenery and fresh air has a grounding effect that helps me regain perspective on life. We are really tiny in the grander scheme of things but we all have our place in it. And, of course, talking to close friends is a huge comfort. They remind me that I’m not alone and help me sort through whatever’s on my mind by sharing their struggles.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.niranjanpatilgallery.com
• Instagram: designs_niranjan
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/nirupatil28