Meet Sumangla Bishnoi

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sumangla Bishnoi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sumangla, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I found my purpose through a combination of self-discovery, resilience, and an enduring passion for creativity. Growing up in Meerut, a historical Indian town where the idea of pursuing a creative career was unconventional, I often felt my dreams were bigger than my surroundings. But my grandmother, a maestro of Indian classical music and art, sparked my love for the arts early on. Her influence, combined with eight years of Bharatanatyam training, taught me the value of discipline, storytelling, and the transformative power of creativity.

My defining moment came at age 14, standing on stage to receive my fourth consecutive school creativity award. That was the first time I imagined a future where creativity could be more than a passion—it could be my purpose. Despite my parents’ initial hopes for me to pursue a stable career in mathematics or finance, I knew my heart belonged to the arts. When I earned admission to the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad, I took the leap. The multidisciplinary coursework there helped me discover graphic design as my true calling—a field where I could bring stories, visuals, and strategy together to create meaningful connections.

However, my journey toward purpose wasn’t without challenges. From working in Mumbai’s fast-paced design industry to pursuing my MFA at MICA, I kept refining my craft. My internship at Landor, San Francisco, was pivotal—it opened my eyes to the global impact design could have. Yet, my purpose truly crystallized during the pandemic when I faced job loss and uncertainty. Securing my O-1 visa, which recognizes extraordinary ability, was a moment of profound clarity. It wasn’t just about staying in the U.S.; it was a testament to my belief in my abilities and my commitment to design.

I started working as a Junior Designer, gradually progressing to Designer and then Senior Designer, contributing to dynamic and impactful design projects across various renowned design studios like Landor, Emotive Brand, AKQA, and Cogs & Marvel. Each role came with new challenges and opportunities to push creative boundaries. Eventually, I had the incredible opportunity to work with one of the biggest IT companies, Intuit, as a Principal Designer on their in-house design team. There, I led some of their most significant projects, crafting robust visual and experiential design systems. This journey, though struggleful, was also profoundly beautiful. Every step taught me new skill sets, from strategic branding to experiential storytelling, and made me a more skilled and versatile designer with each passing day.

Today, after navigating immense struggles as an international designer striving to find stability in the U.S., I am proud to have achieved one of my major goals: securing my EB1 Green Card. It represents not just my hard work and resilience, but also my unwavering commitment to my field and my dreams.

Moreover, I am now the proud owner of a single-member LLC, Sumangla Designature LLC, through which I collaborate with different companies on diverse, multidisciplinary design projects on a contractual basis. This has given me the freedom to explore a variety of creative avenues, whether it’s working with global brands like Coca-Cola and IBM at AKQA, designing for social causes with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, or rebranding startups like Tubular Labs.

Over the years, I’ve realized that my purpose extends beyond creating beautiful visuals. It’s about solving complex problems, telling impactful stories, and using design as a tool for connection and change. My work is rooted in this purpose: to push the boundaries of design, make a difference, and leave a lasting impact.

Finding my purpose has been a journey of embracing my roots, leaning into challenges, and remaining curious. It’s about constantly evolving, learning, and striving to create work that’s both innovative and meaningful.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story! I’m Sumangla Bishnoi, a multidisciplinary designer with over seven years of experience in the world of visual storytelling and brand design. I own a single-member LLC, Sumangla Designature LLC, where I collaborate with companies, nonprofits, and startups on diverse design projects. From working with global agencies like Landor, AKQA, and Emotive Brand to leading impactful projects for Intuit as a Principal Designer, my journey has been a blend of challenges and creative triumphs.

What excites me most about my work is its dynamic nature. I’ve had the privilege of shaping visual identities for some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including Coca-Cola, IBM, Riot Games, and Hyundai. But what truly drives me is the opportunity to solve problems and tell stories through design—whether it’s creating a vibrant brand for a fintech startup, designing a dynamic social media campaign for a nonprofit, or crafting experiential design systems for global corporations.

My design style is very maximal, expressive, and colorful, yet grounded in practicality. I love bringing energy and personality to my work while ensuring it serves the client’s purpose and creates a lasting impact. For me, design is about sparking emotion while solving real-world challenges.

At the heart of my work is a desire to create designs that connect emotionally and leave a lasting impression. My process involves blending strategy, storytelling, and technology to develop innovative solutions that resonate with audiences. I thrive on multidisciplinary challenges, whether it’s branding, motion graphics, digital interaction, or packaging.

Currently, I’m focused on exciting collaborations through Sumangla Designature LLC. My ongoing projects include:

-Partnering with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, the largest food bank in the Bay Area, where I create impactful social media campaigns and holiday collateral to help them fight food insecurity.
-Collaborating with Hook Studios, an award-winning creative content agency, on a Google project where I’m creating engaging motion design work.
-Collaborating with Most Likely To, a creative studio, on branding for an innovative startup company, Brand Story Machine.

Each of these collaborations offers unique challenges and opportunities, and I’m thrilled to bring my multidisciplinary expertise to projects that blend strategy, creativity, and storytelling.

Having navigated challenges as an international designer—especially securing an O-1 visa and, recently, an EB1 Green Card—I’m passionate about inspiring others to persevere and dream big, no matter the obstacles.

I’d love for readers to know that design for me is more than just creating visuals; it’s about sparking conversations, driving change, and leaving an impact. Through my journey, I’ve learned that each project brings a chance to learn, grow, and create something meaningful.

As for what’s new, I’m looking forward to expanding my LLC’s portfolio by collaborating with mission-driven companies and organizations. I’m particularly excited to explore projects at the intersection of technology, storytelling, and design innovation.

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?

Three Most Important Qualities, Skills, and Areas of Knowledge

Looking back, I believe the three most impactful elements in my journey as a designer were resilience, a multidisciplinary approach, and a commitment to constant learning.

Resilience
The design world is dynamic, fast-paced, and at times, full of uncertainty—especially when you’re navigating it as an international designer. Securing my O1 visa, overcoming challenges during the pandemic, and eventually obtaining my EB1 Green Card required an unwavering determination to push through obstacles. This resilience allowed me to keep moving forward, even during the most challenging times, like being laid off or starting over from scratch.
Advice: Don’t shy away from setbacks, they are often the best teachers. Treat every challenge as a stepping stone, and focus on what you can control: your effort, mindset, and ability to adapt.

A Multidisciplinary Approach
Throughout my career, I’ve embraced various disciplines—branding, motion design, interaction design, and experiential storytelling—which have made my work more dynamic and impactful. Starting with my education at NIFT, which blended multiple fields like styling, photography, and graphic design, and later in my professional career, I consistently sought out opportunities to expand my creative toolkit. This flexibility has allowed me to work on a wide range of projects for companies like Intuit, AKQA, and Landor.
Advice: Early in your journey, explore different disciplines within design to discover your strengths and passions. The broader your knowledge base, the more versatile and valuable you’ll be.

Commitment to Constant Learning
Design trends and technologies evolve rapidly, and staying relevant means being a lifelong learner. From teaching myself new software via YouTube tutorials to taking on complex projects that pushed my boundaries, I’ve made continuous learning a cornerstone of my practice. It’s this mindset that allows me to deliver work that feels fresh, innovative, and impactful, whether it’s rebranding startups, creating social campaigns, or collaborating on global brand projects.
Advice: Never stop learning. Dedicate time to improving your technical skills, staying updated on industry trends, and experimenting with new ideas. Platforms like YouTube, online courses, and design communities are great resources.

Final Thoughts
My journey has been shaped by a mix of perseverance, adaptability, and a hunger to grow. For those just starting out, embrace every opportunity as a learning experience, stay open to new challenges, and trust the process. Success comes with time, effort, and a belief in your unique voice as a designer.

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 excited to collaborate with passionate, like-minded individuals and teams who share a love for creativity and innovation. Over the years, I’ve partnered with a variety of talented professionals and organizations across different disciplines, and I’m always open to new opportunities that push boundaries.

I’m particularly interested in collaborating with:

-Creative Agencies and Studios: If you’re working on dynamic branding, motion design, or interactive design projects, I’d love to team up and bring fresh ideas to life.

-Tech and Innovation Teams: Whether it’s for product design, experiential storytelling, or UX/UI, I thrive in environments where creativity meets technology to shape user-centric solutions.

-Nonprofits and Social Impact Organizations: I am currently working with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, and I find immense value in using design to drive positive social change. I’d be keen to collaborate with organizations that are focused on making a difference.

-Startups and Entrepreneurs: I’m always excited to help rebrand or establish brand identities that stand out in the market, especially when it comes to storytelling and creative positioning.

-Interaction and 3D Design Enthusiasts: These days, I’m really enjoying experimenting with interaction design using design coding and a bit of 3D motion using Cinema 4D. I love exploring new avenues in design, especially in the digital space, and would love to collaborate on projects that push the envelope in this area.

If you’re looking for someone to partner with on exciting, multidisciplinary projects or you want to collaborate on creative endeavors, feel free to connect with me! I’d love to chat about how we can work together.

Here’s how you can get in touch:
Portfolio: www.sumanglabishnoi.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sumanglabishnoi

Looking forward to connecting and creating something amazing together!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

MOVEWORKS: Collaborated with Emotive Brand to do rebranding for Moveworks
Intuit: Collaborated with inhouse Intuit’s visual brand strategy and design team
Wanda: Worked at Landor as a lead designer on that project
Tiktok: Collaborated with Cogs & Marvel (Experiential Agency San Francisco_

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