About Me — Jasmine Chadha
I’m an ally to my users.
Introduction: Overcoming Self-Doubt
I always had a story to tell everyone, but the thought that no one would want to read about a no man like me held me back. Well, this had been my mindset till last few months; until I realised the power of writing.
I’ve decided I am gonna write my story with all realism. I recently turned 26, I stay in Gurgaon, India. I lead the Design Efforts at a Startup- Wishlink where I joined as the 12th employee and now we’ve grown into a team of 100+. I’ve been in the design industry for the past 6 years. I love my job, everyday I am doing something new- one day I am strategizing a campaign for a new brand launch and the very next day I am deciding decor for the next office event.
The Early Years: Finding My Path
I have a happy and comfortable life today, but this is not how it was 7 years ago. I’ve knitted my life in all these years. I started working as soon as I passed out of school- my first job was that of a Pre Primary Teacher. I joined a play school, The Discovering Minds where I taught a class of 12 students, each of them unique in their own way. It was my break from school and I was applying for universities. I was very keen on studying Hotel Management, I had been accepted to IHM Ahmedabad and Manipal University. Almost ready to join my favourite courses, I had to opt out and decided to not pursue Hotel Management anymore. It was quite late for me to apply in any other college and choose any other course, I had 2 options- either I drop an year and explore my options or join a course in design. I’ve been sketching since I was a little girl; scrapbooks, paints and colours have been my best friend which made my parents believe that design would be a great career option for me. Yes! That’s how the Designer life chose me, I always tell people I meet- “The Designer life chose me, I did not choose designing.” It’s been a magical journey unfolding new adventures everyday.
College Years: Navigating Challenges
August 2016, my first day of Fashion College- I could smell the freshness of staedtler pencils and pattern paper in the corridor. Everyone dressed so chic, at first I felt out of place. Soon the first lecture began and everyone started introducing themselves. When it was my turn, I did not have a passionate story attached to my decision of joining a Fashion School so I narrated my story, surprisingly everyone loved the authenticity. By the second week, I had already started enjoying all the lectures. I used to enter the college before time so I could spend some time in the library reading books. In another week it was time for the much talked Fresher’s Party, I’ll keep it short here- I won the ‘Ms. Fresher’s’ Award!’
Second year of college started and I realised I need to start working to fund my education, I started browsing jobs in my network and landed up at an Event Company. My work focussed on pitching fashion designers to join the Fashion Show and showcase their work. 3 days a week I attended college and rest of the days were dedicated to my job. I slept only 4 hours a day, I was juggling between work and study. Soon I started mastering the art of managing work and study and I was quite happy. In my 3 years of college I worked with an event company as a coordinator, worked for India Fashion Week- FDCI, did styling gigs for TVC’s and short films, part time jobs at H&M and Zara and it all gave me the courage and confidence to present myself for my first on-campus placement drive at the end of last semester. I was hired by UNIQLO, a Japanese Fast Fashion Retailer, phew! what a relief it was… Probably the first milestone I achieved and patted my back.
My stint at Uniqlo taught me few things-
•Influence of Great Managers •Enhanced my Organizing and Documenting Skill • Art of Restocking Merchandise • Importance of creating visually engaging displays to attract Customers
Investing in Learning
I had saved up some money cause I wanted to dive deeper in my learning about digital design softwares, so I bought my first Macbook (little achievement!) and enrolled myself in a Digital Design School for morning classes. I would leave my house at 6 go to my new academy- started learning new skills and sharp at 9 I would rush to catch a metro to work. During breaks at work, I would practice what I studied in class. I would come back home by 8, and again would complete assignments and doze off. I followed this routine for 1 year, and I was able to find a great apprenticeship with The Times Group, I resigned from my job at UNIQLO. I had to face a pay cut but I took it as a learning as I really wanted to get into Digital Design. My time at internship had been amazing! I had learnt so much, from great managers and made friends I am still in touch with. After completing my apprenticeship I was offered a full time role as a Senior Visual Designer in the same company (another milestone hit) where I worked for almost 1.5 years.
Expanding Horizons: Freelancing and Entrepreneurship
The next stint was switching my job and getting more than 100% salary hike! During this period I had also started freelancing, I got the opportunity to work with some renowned brands like Indian School of Business (ISB), Haldirams, Bath & Body Works, ITC, TATA, Razorpay, Chaayos, and many more! You can check out my work here: https://www.behance.net/jasminekukreja
Creative Ventures
In June 2022, I came across an opportunity working with an early stage start-up, I had offer letter in my mail but I was contemplating if I should join or not. Start-up culture comes with it’s own set of pros and cons- full authority for the work you do can be pro on the other hand- working till late, and on weekends can be a con for some. I decided to join the team of 11 and became the 12th employee. I was the only person in the design team, the first challenge was to alling the brand guidelines and build a team. Doing something new everyday, I started enjoying this new journey. I had by now, moved into a better rented accommodation, decorating the house in bits and pieces (little milestone achieved again!) By this time I had started my small business- where I created illustrated and embroidered home decor and gifting products, I also started creating content on Instagram.
My illustration work started getting noticed by brands and I got an opportunity to work for Pinterest, you can check out here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHCSD76o43D/
My work also got featured in Cosmopolitan, world’s leading fashion magazine.
Towards the end of 2023, I had started settling well. A good job, started following an active lifestyle and getting healthy, socialising with people and creating connections.
In November 2023, I got married to my loving husband, this was the best decision of my life!
I am now moving towards learning User Experience Research and analysing User Behaviour, creating more content on social media and sharing the lifestyle I follow as a designer in India. I also plan to write more frequently and share my daily life experiences at work and life. I am open to discussing things related to design, content creation, career choices for designer, etc.
Check out all my work links here- https://jasminechadha.com/
