In the technology obsessed world that we live in, there is a dearth of illustrative and storytelling skills that strike a chord with the audience !
Priya Gupta, our next pathbreaker, Accessory Designer & Illustrator, brings stories and ideas to life visually — whether it’s through illustrating children’s books, creating designs for brands, or making prints that connect emotionally with people.
Priya talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about building a successful career in the fashion industry, designing handbags and accessories, and making the decision to pursue a Master’s in Fine Arts (MFA) in illustration from FIT (New York), to combine her design background with her love for storytelling, especially in children’s books.
For students, don’t be afraid to take risks or start over if you discover a new passion. Keep learning, be patient with yourself, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.
Priya, can you share your background with our young readers?
I am Priya Gupta and I grew up in Kanpur city in Uttar Pradesh, India, where stories, art, and culture played a big role in my life. From a young age, I was always drawing on paper, on walls, and anywhere I could find space! My mother noticed this and encouraged me to explore my love for drawing. She would sign me up for every drawing competition she could find, which really helped me improve my skills and build confidence.
In school, I was a dedicated student with a focus on both studies and art with good grades, which eventually led me to study Accessory Design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Delhi. I found joy in working with my hands, creating designs that were not only beautiful but also practical.
For over 10 years, I built a successful career in the fashion industry, designing handbags and accessories. However, throughout this time, I always felt a deeper passion for storytelling through arts and pictures.
Image Credit- Brand Label, Ritu Kumar
Even with my design career flourishing, I had an ongoing desire to enhance my work by incorporating more storytelling. During the pandemic, I moved back to my hometown to stay with my parents. While there, I stumbled upon old childhood drawings that reignited my love for creating art and telling stories visually. That was the turning point — I realized I wanted to pursue a new path in life, one focused on art and illustration. So, I made the decision to move and pursue a Master’s in Fine Arts (MFA) in illustration to turn my passion into a career. Now, I’m combining my design background with my love for storytelling, especially in children’s books.
What did you do for graduation/post graduation?
I graduated with a degree in Accessory Design from NIFT, Delhi, and spent over 10 years in the fashion industry designing handbags and accessories. During the pandemic, I discovered my passion for art and illustration, which led me to pursue a Master’s in Fine Arts in Illustration at FIT, New York (Fashion Institute of Technology).
What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Accessory Design & Illustration?
My journey towards art and illustration was shaped by a combination of key influencers and personal experiences. Growing up, I was always encouraged by my mother, who recognized my love for drawing and enrolled me in art competitions. This early support sparked my interest in creative fields.
In my professional career as an accessory designer, I always felt a pull towards storytelling through design. However, it wasn’t until the pandemic, when I returned to my hometown and found myself with more time to slow down, that I rediscovered my childhood love for drawing.
Surrounded by old drawings and familiar spaces, I picked up my sketchbook and painted colors after years of putting them aside. During this time, I also found myself reading a lot, especially children’s books that I would pick up from my nieces and nephews. This reignited a deep love for storytelling, and I realized that my true calling was still in making art.
A major turning point was my decision to pursue a Master’s in Fine Arts in Illustration at FIT, New York. This allowed me to merge my design background with my newfound love for storytelling. Along the way, I was inspired by mentors and fellow creatives who encouraged me to explore this new direction and embrace my creative potential fully.
Image- Pages from my sketchbook
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted?
To enhance my career path, I started by leveraging my strong foundation in design while gradually incorporating illustration and storytelling into my skill set. After graduating from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi, with a degree in Accessory Design, I embarked on my journey in the fashion industry. Over the next 10 years, I designed handbags and accessories, always focusing on creating beautiful yet functional designs.
I began my career as an Assistant Merchandiser at a buying house, then moved on to become a Junior Accessory Designer at a leading company. My role involved sketching designs, selecting materials, and overseeing the product development process. This experience honed my technical skills and attention to detail, both of which remain crucial in my creative work today.
Image- Technical Design of a Handbag
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with celebrated brands like Ritu Kumar, Isharya, and Vertara.
Image Credit- Brand Vertara, http://www.vertara.com
Image Credit- Brand Isharya, www.isharya.com
Additionally, I ran my own boutique labels, TheWrapCraft and Raafia, where I collaborated with multi-designer stores like Jaypore, Amethyst, The Loom, Anonym, and third-party platforms like Amazon India.
Image- Handbags from Raafia, Instagram @escapewithraafia
Image- Handbags from TheWrapCraft, Instagram @thewrapcraft
These ventures helped me not only build collections but also foster relationships based on storytelling, craftsmanship, and collaboration. I also displayed my products through various exhibitions.
Image- Exhibition at Rangshala, Celebrating Indian Textiles & Craftsmanship,
Aga Khan Big Hall, New Delhi
Image- Exhibition at Pitstop Christmas Market, DLF Mall of India, New Delhi
Image- Exhibition at Grand Diwali Mela, DLF Mall, Saket, New Delhi
Along the way, I participated in online courses, workshops, and critiques. I also built meaningful connections with mentors who guided me professionally. To deepen my understanding of the market and refine my craft, I immersed myself in reading books, especially children’s literature.
After a decade of designing for others, I took a leap of faith — and a student visa — to pursue a long-held dream: to become an artist in the truest sense. With an MFA in Illustration from FIT New York, I learned to express narratives beyond products, creating books, prints, and visual language. Combining my design background with new skills in illustration, I’m excited to enhance my career by crafting meaningful stories that connect with both children and adults.
How did you get your first break?
I got my first break by proactively seeking opportunities to showcase my work. I participated in international art competitions such as American Illustration 44 (AIAP), where my artwork was selected for inclusion in The ARCHIVE collection. I also consistently submitted my work to every open call I could find, building visibility and momentum in the art community.
In addition, my artwork was selected to be featured by NYC ArtOnLink, providing public visibility throughout New York City.
I also took on summer internships with established illustrators, which gave me the chance to work on my existing book ideas that I had always wanted to pursue but didn’t know how to start. These internships helped me gain practical experience and direction for turning my ideas into actual projects.
In addition to these, I worked on small projects for family and friends, such as designing wedding invitations, creating restaurant menus, making a book cover for a friend’s publication, and designing prints for a local home furnishing brand. I also volunteered to teach art at summer camps for children, which further helped me connect with my target audience and refine my skills in illustration. These side projects allowed me to build my portfolio and establish a presence in the creative community, all while gaining valuable experience in different aspects of design and storytelling.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
Challenge 1: Overcoming Self-Doubt and Fear of Change
Transitioning from a successful career in fashion design to pursuing a completely new path in illustration came with a lot of uncertainty. I had built a career in design, and stepping into the world of art and illustration felt daunting. I often questioned whether I was making the right choice, especially with no formal training in illustration initially.
How I Addressed It:
I decided to take small, manageable steps by enrolling in online courses, attending workshops, and seeking mentorship from experienced illustrators. These actions gave me the structure and confidence I needed to move forward. I also kept a sketchbook, where I experimented with ideas and styles, without any pressure of perfection. Slowly, I began to realize that it was okay to start over and that learning as I went along was part of the process.
Image- Sketches from my everyday sketchbook
Challenge 2: Balancing New Learning with Existing Career Commitments
While transitioning into illustration, I was also managing my ongoing commitments as a fashion accessory designer, which was a delicate balancing act. It was tough to find time for both careers, and I often felt overwhelmed by the dual responsibilities.
How I Addressed It:
I organized my time more efficiently, creating a schedule that allowed me to dedicate specific hours to working on my illustrations while managing my design work. I also embraced the idea of gradual progress — instead of expecting rapid results, I focused on consistent, small steps each day. This approach helped me stay motivated and avoid burnout.
Challenge 3: Finding My Unique Voice as an Illustrator
In the beginning, I struggled to find my own unique style and voice as an illustrator. It was easy to get influenced by other artists and feel unsure about what made my work distinct.
How I Addressed It:
I spent time reflecting on my personal experiences, interests, and cultural influences, especially from my childhood in India.
Image- A glimpse into a mini zine I’m working on, capturing fragments of childhood memories through illustration and storytelling.
I also took time to study and analyze a wide range of illustrators and their techniques, which helped me narrow down my own style. Ultimately, I realized that my voice would evolve naturally as I continued to practice and create with authenticity and passion.
Where do you work now?
I am currently focused on building a strong portfolio and developing a children’s pop-up book, which I plan to pitch to publishers. Alongside this, I am also working towards creating a brand that reflects my unique artistic voice.
Image- Work-in-progress sketches for my children’s pop-up book
What problems do you solve?
I help bring stories and ideas to life visually — whether it’s illustrating a children’s book, creating designs for brands, or making prints that connect emotionally with people.
What skills are needed for the job?
To succeed in this role, you need a blend of creativity and storytelling skills, along with strong technical abilities such as drawing and proficiency in digital tools like Photoshop and Illustrator. A solid understanding of color theory, composition, and visual communication is essential, but more important than digital skills alone is maintaining a sketchbook—it’s a vital space to explore ideas, experiment freely, and observe your own growth over time. Don’t worry about imperfect drawings; they’re part of the creative journey. Over time, you’ll appreciate how far you’ve come. Patience, perseverance, and the ability to accept and apply feedback are also crucial for continuous improvement.
How did you acquire the skills?
I built my foundation through my degree at NIFT in Accessory Design, polished my design skills while working in the fashion industry, and then enhanced my storytelling and illustration skills through courses, workshops, self-study, mentorships, and my Master’s degree.
What’s a typical day like?
A typical day involves working on assignments, creating portfolio pieces, reading children’s books for inspiration, sketching ideas, and collaborating with friends or clients on projects. Some days are about brainstorming new ideas; others are about refining and polishing the artwork.
What is it you love about this job?
I love the freedom to imagine, create, and connect with people emotionally through visuals. It’s incredibly rewarding to see your art make someone smile, feel, or dream. Every project is a new adventure!
How does your work benefit society?
My work contributes to society by nurturing imagination, empathy, and cultural understanding, especially among young readers. Through my illustrations and storytelling, I aim to create meaningful narratives that spark curiosity, encourage emotional connection, and celebrate diverse experiences. I believe that stories and art have the power to shape young minds, foster creativity, and build a kinder, more inclusive world — and I feel grateful to play a part in that process.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
One of the projects very close to my heart was creating a children’s storybook. It’s a story inspired by the little moments of sibling bonds and teamwork. It was my first time writing and illustrating an entire book from scratch, and seeing the characters come to life felt magical. The process taught me patience, storytelling, and how small everyday moments can become powerful stories. It reminded me why I chose this path — to create something meaningful that could bring joy and connection to young readers.
Image- One of the finished sketches from my children’s picture book project that i am working on right now.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
My advice to students would be: stay curious and keep exploring what excites you. It’s okay if your path isn’t perfectly clear at first — every experience, even the small ones, teaches you something valuable. Don’t be afraid to take risks or start over if you discover a new passion. Keep learning, be patient with yourself, and most importantly, enjoy the journey. Hard work, consistency, and believing in yourself can take you a long way!
Future Plans?
In the future, I aim to continue growing as a designer and illustrator by working on more books, editorial illustrations, and creative projects that tell meaningful stories. I also plan to build my own brand that blends my design background with my love for art and storytelling. Long-term, I hope to collaborate with publishers, brands, and educational platforms to create work that inspires young minds and brings a sense of wonder to everyday life.