Exploring Simplicity

Satyajeetkumar

When you ask young tyros what they want to become, you can often hear answers like doctor, actor, pilot, engineer and so on. Very rarely would you come across someone who says, “I am still exploring!” And when you do come across such an individual, you are uncomfortable with the thought. Human beings by nature want to see certainties in life. They expect normalcy and constancy. But life is not about constancy; it is about flux and growth. It is about challenges and exploration.

And we met one such explorer, Satyajeet.

If you ask Satyajeet what’s on his mind, don’t be surprised if he says, “Hmm! Let’s try something, let’s explore.” Deep down, we rejoice in the thought that we have met someone who is taking life head-on, someone who is creating and wading into the unknown.

Satyajeet and exploration are synonymous. He is a designer who represents “inclusiveness” – a trait innate to the design process.

Satyajeet’s journey truly started with a decision. This decision changed his life completely. He decided to learn printing technology instead of any other engineering subject. At that time, it may have been a risky decision, but not for Satyajeet, who loved exploring.

And he did explore, and what a journey it turned out to be! When he started out with a course in printing technology, he encountered huge printing machines, print dyes and what not. Towards the end of the program, he realized that the existing designs are too cumbersome. He felt that the offset printing machine can be bettered and made smaller by a change in design. And this thought helped him find his true calling. Without wasting further time, he joined NID.

At NID, Satyajeet used every bit of material, every user group discussion, and every problem area to learn more and expand his vision. Towards the end of the course he started taking keen interest in the business of design.

He understood that the Western mind with its chocolate wrapped colonialism influenced design education to a large extent. He felt that although design education prepared students like him to solve problems, there was a threat that they would end up following others rather than creating or leading on their own. That’s when he decided to be self-reliant and started contemplating on a business model.

He didn’t want to design for big brands, instead wanted to do something that he could truly call his own. His rich mind envisioned many concepts that were sound in principles of design. He was however unsure where to start. And one fine morning as they say, “Topolate” was born.

To put simply, Topolate as an idea and a product is fun and light.
Satyajeet understood that the product should help its user have an engaging experience. At the same time, he knew very well that while designing Topolate he could not compromise on quality. Every product based on the “Topolate” needed to be exceptional in quality and experience.

The idea for his first product came from one of his lighting experiments. Through the various experiments, he stumbled upon an idea to create a product that could produce uniform lighting of large surface through small fixtures. During his stint with NID, just before the pre diploma period, he continued experimenting. He was clear that the product idea was based on three core principles: product category, technology and raw material.

Early experiments with actual prototypes ran parallel to his diploma project. As he progressed, he developed his first product after 3 months. The product itself was first of its kind in terms of technology, experience and style. With all that newness around the product, it was necessary for Satyajeet to remain focused on his goal of creating delightful products.

Topolate was not a flash in the pan. It was a starting point for designs to emerge later.

His products cater mainly to designers, the community that he calls his own. He knows that to create designs, designers need space and freedom. They hate restrictions and little irritants that take away their time. For example, getting the right kind of power supply cord, the right kind plug pin, or even the right lamp was important. Topolate provided a solution that is remarkable and simple to execute. The Topolate environment has all of these things built into it. The good part is that the product can be crafted to suit specific needs. Moreover, if the little things are not available, they were crafted and produced in-house. This explains why each piece that comes along with Topolate feels so fine.

While Satyajeet was still experimenting with various packaging techniques and material for Topolate, people started recognizing his efforts and started paying attention. Immediately after finishing his diploma project, Satyajeet registered the product to market it commercially. The early phase was hard, rigorous, and sometimes tiring. However, he was dilligent and did not allow his dedication to waver.

Satyajeet gives credit to technology for the state of the art feel and finish of this hand-crafted product. He says “If not for the laser cut technology, I wouldn’t have been able to think of creating the very first product with high level of precision. Because laser cut was available, I could make it in the lines of a mass produced high class product.”

The beauty of Topolate is that it is handcrafted. Each piece is unique and of high quality.
It was during the animation film festival “Chitrakatha,” Satyajeet realized that although his product was outstanding and many people desired it, it was still not very affordable. This led him to make some little tweaks and create versions of Topolate.

Topolate is now available in bent plywood and Aluminum and can be customized as per the requirement. Handcrafted in a studio at Mithakali, Ahmadabad, the product is lit by uniform and controllable led powered light. Seeing is believing! When you see the product, you get an otherworldly feel of it.

Right now, the studio has set small goals for itself. It wants to steadily increase its base by doing similar high quality, high class products. Satyajeet collaborates with a fellow designer Abhijeet and many more on project bases. Topolate is on its way to find more companions and grow its family. As this happens, Satyajeet remains vibrant, happy, enthusiastic and ready to experiment more. Never one to shy away, he says, “Let’s explore!”

JAM (just a minute…)

If there were one person for whom you would like to design a thing. Who is the person and what would you design?
Naturally available fresh air for myself.

One word that would define your designs/style?
Beauty beyond looks.

As a designer, one thing that you would like to change in the present system?
Perception of time – unwanted hurries in people’s life today.

If you were an animated character, which one would it be?
No clue.

What is your favorite color?
Can’t fix on one.

What are you afraid of regarding the future?
Somebody told me that in darkness, you see only what the light of lantern can show you. Just keep taking the right steps in what you can see.

How do you differentiate yourself with other designers?
All of us do things in our own ways and so do I.

One aspect of design you give the highest priority to?
Mazzaa!!

One design-related book you highly recommend to read?
I haven’t read enough to suggest anything.

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