Design is much more than making products look beautiful. It is a powerful tool that connects people, business, manufacturing, and user experience. Good design solves problems, creates value, and improves everyday life.
Our next Pathbreaker, Ritesh Malik, Head of Design at Spacewood Furnishers Pvt. Ltd., leads end-to-end product development and design strategy across home, office, and the door category. Working closely with engineering, sourcing, and manufacturing teams, he transforms ideas into market-ready products that are globally competitive.
Ritesh talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about his journey from a young student in Nagpur who loved sketching and making crafts to becoming a Design for Manufacturing (DFM) expert with over 19 years of experience in product design and furniture manufacturing.
For students, passion, curiosity, continuous learning, and perseverance can open doors to opportunities you may never have imagined.
Ritesh, tell us about your background.
Hello everyone! I’m Ritesh Malik, and I work as the Head of Design at Spacewood Furnishers in Nagpur.
When people hear the word “designer,” they often imagine someone drawing beautiful concept sketches. But my job is much more than that. I help turn ideas into real furniture that thousands of people use every day in their homes and offices.
For me, design is not only about making something look beautiful. It is about solving problems, making products easier to manufacture, and creating a better experience for people.
What were you like as a child?
I was born and raised in Nagpur in a middle-class family. My mother was a government employee, and she, along with my siblings, always encouraged me to learn, explore, and be creative.
As a child, I loved drawing, sketching faces, making craft models, and creating toys from old packaging materials. At the time, I never imagined that these hobbies would one day become my profession.
Looking back, I realise that our hobbies often reveal our hidden strengths and can shape the path we are meant to follow.
Did you always know you wanted to become a designer?
Not at all!
After completing my 12th in the Science stream, I pursued a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering because I enjoyed understanding how machines and products worked.
At that time, diploma (polytechnic) education was more focused on practical learning and factory exposure compared to engineering degree programmes. I also wanted to stay close to my family instead of moving to another city for higher studies.
During my final year of diploma, some of my friends suggested that we appear for the entrance examination of the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. Honestly, I knew very little about design as a career.
One of my mentors, Mr. Firdous Duppatawala, guided me during my preparation. With his encouragement and support, I cleared the entrance examination on my first attempt and was selected for NID.
That single decision completely changed the direction of my life.
Why did you choose Product Design?
I realised that Product Design was the perfect combination of creativity and engineering.
I loved drawing, but I also enjoyed understanding how things were made.
Design allowed me to combine both interests.
Instead of choosing between art and engineering, I discovered a profession where both work together.
How did your education help you?
Every stage of my education taught me something valuable.
Mechanical Engineering taught me how products are built, how materials behave, and how manufacturing works.
At NID Ahmedabad, I learned how to observe people, understand their needs, generate ideas, and solve problems creatively.
Later, I got an opportunity to study in Germany through an exchange programme. That experience opened my eyes to global design thinking and showed me how different countries approach innovation and manufacturing.
Did you study anything specific in Germany? How did that help you?
One of the most memorable experiences during my education at NID was being selected for an exchange semester at Pforzheim University (Hochschule Pforzheim), Germany, in 2006. I was honoured to receive both the Fürst Foundation Scholarship and the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Scholarship.
At Pforzheim University, I worked on some live design projects with German companies as part of an academic program and studied digital design using 3D Software called Alias StudioTools (now known as Alias Automotive by Autodesk), design sketching, and design management. I also had the opportunity to visit the manufacturing facilities of Mercedes-Benz and Kärcher, where I experienced how design, engineering, and manufacturing come together to create world-class products.
Studying in Germany exposed me to a global perspective on design, innovation, and design thinking. More importantly, it gave me the confidence to think internationally while staying connected to the needs of Indian users. This experience broadened my outlook and played an important role in shaping my approach as an industrial designer.
Ritesh, you did an internship at LG for 8 months. Can you explain your work and the products you worked on?
For my graduation project, I worked with LG Electronics India on the design and conceptualisation of CRT televisions, focusing on user experience and enhanced audio features.
Instead of starting with sketches immediately, we spent a significant amount of time conducting user surveys and market research to understand what Indian consumers really wanted.
Although CRT televisions were gradually being replaced by LCD and LED technology, this project became a turning point in my career because it taught me that research should always come before design.
A designer should first understand the problem before trying to solve it.
How did you get your first job?
Even before graduating, I had the opportunity to teach design sketching as an assistant visiting faculty at NID.
Soon after, I joined Glue Design Pvt. Ltd, a design consultancy based in Delhi/NCR, where I worked on product design, retail design, and exhibition projects.
Led design ideation and concept development for retail, exhibition, and product projects, turning client briefs into visually compelling and commercially viable solutions.
Designed and executed in-store retail displays and POP/POS systems for top brands including ITC, Coca-Cola, Haier Telecom, GSK, Colgate-Palmolive, P&G, Nestlé, Garnier, Horlicks, and Perfetti, enhancing brand visibility and customer engagement.
Developed innovative consumer product concepts integrating form, function, and manufacturability, aligned with brand identity and market trends.
Conducted user and market research to identify emerging trends, materials, and design innovations, ensuring projects were both creative and commercially viable.
Produced high-fidelity 3D renderings, prototypes, and presentation decks, effectively communicating design intent and securing client approvals.
Every new project taught me how different businesses solve different kinds of problems.
What challenges did you face in the beginning?
Every stage of my career came with new challenges, and each one taught me an important lesson.
Challenge 1: Understanding Manufacturing
As a young designer, I enjoyed creating concepts and sketching ideas. However, I soon realised that designing a product on paper is very different from actually manufacturing it.
I wanted to understand how my ideas were transformed into prototypes and finally into mass-produced products. To learn this, I spent time with development vendors, manufacturing partners, factory teams, and in-house workshops. I observed how products were made, asked questions, and learned directly from engineers and technicians.
This experience completely changed my approach to design.
I realised that great design is never created by one person alone. It is always the result of teamwork involving designers, engineers, production teams, suppliers, sales teams, and many others.
Fortunately, my Mechanical Engineering background helped me understand technical processes more easily and bridge the gap between design and manufacturing.
Challenge 2: Balancing Creativity with Practicality
As I became more involved in product development and manufacturing, I noticed another challenge.
When you spend too much time thinking about technical limitations, you sometimes stop thinking creatively. Manufacturing constraints can unknowingly become mental barriers.
Over time, I learned that innovation requires balance.
A designer must understand technical realities, but at the same time remain curious, open-minded, and willing to explore new ideas. Sometimes, we have to let go of our assumptions and start with a fresh perspective to create meaningful and original designs.
Today, I believe that creativity and practicality should work together—not compete with each other.
Where do you work now?
Currently, I lead the design team at Spacewood Furnishers.
My work starts much before the first sketch and continues until the product reaches customers.
My team designs furniture for homes, offices, and doors. We work closely with engineering, manufacturing, sourcing, marketing, and quality teams.
I also travel to international furniture exhibitions to learn about new materials, technologies, and design trends.
One part of my work that I enjoy the most is finding new materials, hardware, and manufacturing solutions from India, China, and Europe that can improve our products.
Can you explain what is the value you bring out as a designer of furniture?
Furniture may still be seen as a commodity in many local and rural markets, where it is often considered something that any carpenter can make. But today’s consumers have very different expectations. They look for international styling, better ergonomics, innovative features, superior quality, and furniture that reflect their lifestyle and personality. Furniture is no longer just a utility—it has become a symbol of comfort, self-expression, and modern living.
As designers, our responsibility is to understand the evolving needs of Indian homes and create products that combine global design trends with Indian aesthetics and lifestyle requirements.
At Spacewood, we don’t just design furniture—we develop innovative products supported by advanced manufacturing technologies and processes. This allows us to create unique design details, better functionality, and high-quality finishes that are difficult to replicate by traditional manufacturers or local carpenters. That is what makes our products distinctive while remaining accessible and value for money.
Today, much of the furniture market is filled with look-alike products. My role as a designer is to bring freshness, innovation, and meaningful differentiation by creating furniture that not only stands out in the market but also solves the everyday needs of Indian consumers.
What makes your approach to design different?
Many people think design is only about appearance. The design process is not only limited to conceptualisation, ideation, making story board, mood board and inspiration board.
I think differently.
A product may look beautiful, but if it cannot be manufactured efficiently, it cannot become successful.
That is why I focus on Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
This means thinking about manufacturing, materials, cost, quality, assembly, and user experience from the very beginning.
When design and manufacturing work together, everyone benefits—the company, the workers, and most importantly, the customer.
How does your work benefit society?
I strongly believe that design is not just about how a product looks—it is about how well it works. As Steve Jobs once said, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
For me, every product should solve a real problem instead of simply becoming another option in the market.
Furniture is something people use every day—at home, in offices, schools, hospitals, and public spaces.
Good furniture can make people feel more comfortable, improve productivity, support better posture, and create spaces where people enjoy living and working.
At the same time, thoughtful design benefits manufacturers and the environment.
When products are designed for efficient manufacturing, they use materials more effectively, reduce waste, simplify production, and lower transportation costs.
These improvements make high-quality furniture more affordable and accessible to more people.
Which project is closest to your heart?
One of my favourite recent projects is the Morgan Bed.
The idea came from something very simple—a fresh morning.
When I studied in Germany, one of the first words I learned was “Guten Morgen,” which means “Good Morning.”
Years later, while designing this bed, I wanted people to wake up feeling fresh, positive, and ready for a new day.
Sometimes the best design ideas come from small experiences that stay with us for years.
What advice would you give students based on Your Experience?
Don’t worry if you don’t know exactly what you want to become.
Instead, pay attention to what you genuinely enjoy doing.
Your hobbies today could become your profession tomorrow.
Keep learning new skills.
Stay curious.
Ask questions.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
Also, don’t fear Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Use it as a tool that helps you learn faster and work smarter.
But remember—AI can only generate images based on prompts.
Only you can generate original ideas.
Your creativity, curiosity, and ability to solve real problems will always be valuable.
What does success mean to you?
Success is not about having the biggest job title.
For me, success means creating products that improve people’s everyday lives.
If something I designed makes someone’s work easier, makes a family more comfortable at home, or creates a better experience for a customer, I feel I have done meaningful work.
That gives me the greatest satisfaction.
What are your future plans?
I want to continue building products that combine good design with practical manufacturing.
Alongside my industry work, I also want to teach and mentor young designers.
If I can help students avoid the mistakes I made and encourage them to think beyond beautiful sketches—to design products that can actually be built and used—I will consider that another meaningful achievement.
When I look back, one thread connects every stage of my career—from Mechanical Engineering to NID, my learning experience in Germany, internships, teaching, consulting, and now leading furniture design.
I was never interested in design as just an artistic pursuit. What fascinated me was understanding how ideas evolve into well-engineered, manufacturable products that improve people’s everyday lives.
That curiosity eventually led me to embrace Design for Manufacturing (DFM), a philosophy that continues to shape the way I think, design, and solve problems today.
If my journey—from a student in Nagpur who loved sketching to leading furniture design and innovation—can inspire even one young person to believe in their own potential, then sharing this story has truly been worthwhile.
A Few Final Thoughts.
I sincerely thank The Interview Portal and Mr. Shyam Krishnamurthy for creating a platform where professionals from diverse fields can share their journeys, experiences, and reflections.
These stories do more than celebrate individual careers—they inspire, motivate, and guide students and young professionals as they explore their own career paths and make informed decisions about their future.
If you’re a student, aspiring designer, or young professional exploring a career in design, furniture, or product development, I’d be happy to connect and share my experiences. Whether you need guidance on preparing for NID, building your portfolio, understanding Design for Manufacturing, or navigating a career in the furniture industry, feel free to reach out.
If you’d like to know more about my learning journey, I invite you to read my Medium article, where I share my personal reflections and experiences studying at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, and the lessons that continue to shape my approach to design and innovation.
You can also connect with me on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riteshmalik/
The future belongs to those who stay curious, keep learning, and never stop creating. Every meaningful career begins with a single step—and sometimes, a single conversation.