Meet Prerna Sharma

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Prerna Sharma. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Prerna, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I think my resilience comes from a combination of my personal life circumstances and my experience in design education. I was 18 when I first started school at Parsons School of Design, and that meant moving across the world, by myself, to New York City. Being so far from family taught me to rely on myself, solve problems independently, and recognize just how much I’m capable of achieving.

The resilience that I was developing simply by being on my own in a new country was both helpful for my education, as well as nurtured by it. As a design student, creating dozens of prototypes and sketches for every concept became routine. Each version, whether a success or failure, taught me something new, helping me embrace failure as a natural part of growth. The iterative process—making, remaking, and refining ideas—trained me to persevere and adapt. A common exercise would be sketching and prototyping ideas in sets of 50 or even 100, a practice that forced me to think creatively, push beyond initial ideas, and just keep going. So, in the end, I think experiences in both my personal and design life fostered different resilience in me that nonetheless grew off one another.

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

I am a designer based in New York City with a passion for creating sustainable, human-centered solutions that blend form and function to benefit both communities and the environment. My background is diverse—I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Product and Industrial Design with a Printmaking minor at Parsons School of Design, and just recently, I earned my Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction from the Products of Design program at the School of Visual Arts. This rigorous program expanded my skills as a multidisciplinary designer and was where I developed my thesis, Longing for Belonging: Rediscovering Community Through Third Places. It was based around human-centered research and explored how design can help create and strengthen connections in and to our communities.


Professionally, I’ve had the privilege of working across various disciplines, from solar-powered plastic production to ceramics and wholesale brand representation. I’ve collaborated with prominent designers and brands, and some of my notable sales clients have included the MoMA, McNally Jackson Books, Food52, and Better Homes & Gardens.

While in graduate school, I founded my own design studio, Villa Number 7, specializing in handmade brass and silver jewelry crafted sustainably here in New York City. My jewelry has been showcased at major tradeshows and has clients nationwide, including the Newark Museum of Art. This entrepreneurial venture has taught me a lot very quickly and has been a fantastic, day-by-day learning experience.

Beyond jewelry, I have curated multiple design exhibitions for NYCxDesign Week, including Might Delete: Share the Reflected Narrative, which explored storytelling through mirrors. Currently, I’m developing a new jewelry collection for Villa Number 7 and preparing for my latest show, Attached: From Keys to Keepsakes, opening December 6th at Canal St Market at the intersection of SoHo and Chinatown in New York City. This holiday market focuses on keychains as a form of self-expression and personalization, showcasing how everyday items can transform into keepsakes and expressions of identity.

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

Adaptability, curiosity, and determination.

Adaptability has been essential because, in design and in life, unexpected changes are inevitable. Learning to adjust, stay calm, and find alternative solutions has allowed me to grow and continue moving forward, no matter the challenge. For anyone early in their journey, I recommend practicing flexibility in both small and big projects. Embrace change, and view each shift as an opportunity rather than a setback.

Curiosity has fueled my exploration of new mediums, techniques, and career pathways I might not have considered otherwise. Staying curious means actively seeking out conversations with people from diverse backgrounds, welcoming different perspectives, and challenging yourself to understand areas outside your immediate expertise. To develop this, approach each day with a “beginner’s mind” and stay open to learning from every interaction and experience.

Determination has been crucial in getting through challenges. In any field, there will be obstacles, and things will go wrong. For me, determination means pushing through those setbacks and learning from each experience, even the tough ones. My advice here is to focus on resilience—treat failures as learning opportunities and keep going, knowing that persistence will eventually lead you where you want to be (or to a place even better than you expected).

But most important of all, have fun and don’t take yourself too seriously.

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 collaboration! I’m inspired by projects and people who bring an open mind, curiosity, and a willingness to explore new creative directions, even if it means venturing into uncharted territory. I love working across disciplines, whether it’s developing a concept for a design show, creating a new product, or building a third space. For me, collaboration is about learning from each other and sharing insights to create something meaningful.

Feel free to DM or email me! Let’s make something cool happen together!

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your