Jenny Pinto — “I would like to see a future where we incorporate green principles within mainstream design.”
Jenny’s path to becoming a handmade paper artist and lighting designer was quite unusual — she left her advertising job to start her studio from scratch and has never looked back since. She works with The Purple Turtles and Oorja Design while maintaining her own practice as well. We spoke to her about her philosophy and what she loves about Bangalore.
Fill in the blank: Being a design professional is NOT strictly business
Fill in the blank: Being a design professional IS about thinking on your feet and being intuitive
What is the most valuable (design) lesson you’ve learnt from someone who is not a design practitioner?
Insects and Birds. They are ingenious designers and skilled artisans. They are economical and adaptable to their environment. They have no ego and so are very cooperative, and they are also big risk-takers. Take the little termites for example — they create some of the most elaborate ventilation systems for cooling on the planet. Even in the hottest places termite mounds remain exceptionally cool inside with an intricate network of air-pockets in their mud mounds. And look at their amazing team work!
Is there a brand language of ecological design?
I hope to convey through my products that you can incorporate these ideas into the regular design language. Traditionally, there’s always this divide with eco-friendly and sustainable things — they’re very natural looking, have a very different look and that’s supposed to be the USP. But I really feel that the two should be integrated. You have to look at the impact on the environment and how you can use materials that make less impact. Even if you can some difference — i don’t think anyone can be a 100 percent sustainable, that’s very difficult to do. But I would really like to see a future where you stop distinguishing and you incorporate all these green principles within mainstream design or architecture or whatever you’re doing.
Which kinds of roles or projects do you find the most challenging?
Every project has its challenges but I often find that my own projects, where I am doing an installation for my own exhibition, to be the toughest. Toughest because that’s where you have to say who you are as a designer and what your core beliefs are, in a limited space with limited resources, to people who range from the very interested to the completely indifferent.
What would you say is the defining characteristic of “Indian” design?
Pragmatism. When I think of Indian design I really look backwards, to traditional Indian design — when art and design went together. We somehow did manage to get form and function to come together so beautifully. It is so evident in our traditions of textile, architecture, sculpture, craft etc. All of it displayed a highly evolved sense of design pragmatism. It might be a cliche but the simple lota is a good example of it. Contemporary Indian design has to still find its tongue. We should really be going back to the future.
Do creative professionals have pet peeves? What is yours?
My pet peeve is people who come to the project with their mind already made up.
Like I said before, I try and approach each project leaving my “hat” at the door and keeping an open mind. But if you have to deal with others who come to the meeting/project thinking they already know everything, not willing to listen or see, then it’s counterproductive and quite trying.
How has being in Bangalore enriched your creative process? What have you learnt from the city?
Bangalore has a wonderful group of designers and architects of all hues and inclinations. You meet so many open minds and free spirits and alternative thinkers, it’s really fantastic. The city began to change about the time I moved here so I have actually learnt everything I know from this city. I moved here from Bombay, which is probably one of India’s most efficient, hard-working and open-minded cities, but Bangalore has a soul. It’s a more forgiving city and is willing to let you explore. That is a very important part of any creative process.
How do you spend a perfect Sunday in Bangalore? Any specific recommendations or must-trys?
I am very much a home bird. I love to spend time with family either travelling out of the city or having a cook- in. My favourite weekend getaway? Hampi.
Visit Jenny’s websites
https://www.oorjaa.in/
http://jennypinto.com/
https://thepurpleturtles.com/
Jenny will be a panellist at Design Conference at Bengaluru Design Week 2018. Get details on the website http://www.blrdesignweek.com/
This interview is a part of a series of conversations with designers from Bengaluru called ADI Diaries. You can find more interviews here.
