We invited Sanjana Paramhans, Rddhima Golyan and Utsav Shah from White Noise Design Studio for an interview with Most Popular Stories to know more about his entrepreneurial journey.
White Noise Design Studio (WNDS) was founded during the pandemic in 2020 by 3 Indian classmates who studied together at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York – Sanjana Paramhans, Rddhima Golyan and Utsav Shah. Our dream has always been to start our own interior architecture studio, and after having gained work extensive experience in the hospitality, high end residential and commercial interior design spaces, we decided to put our heads together and venture out on our own.
We started small – and it hasn’t been without a lot of hard work – but we’re proud to have gotten opportunities to affect people’s lives in a positive way. Our curiosity is fueled by the intersection between innovative design and highly functional spaces. We focus on understanding our client’s unique vision and needs to create homes, restaurants and installations that reflect their identity or brand. Through our work, we hope to be able to make our own stamp on the design world and change people’s perceptions of what ‘design’ means.
How did the idea for your business/startup come about and your journey ?
Rddhima: Being a part of the same alumni group from Pratt and running in the same design circles, we realized that while complimentary, we had a complete set of different skills which would allow us to approach each project with a unique sense of direction and in turn provide a holistic well thought out design. Our differences in specialties reflect in all the projects we do. Our Cafes, restaurants, residential, retail, and lounge spaces are inventive, modern, and multifaceted…layered, detailed, and colorful. In them, form and function, space and light intertwine, setting the stage for interaction. Dynamic yet unified, they embody undeniably engaging energy. We are interested in creating optimal habitable spaces inspired by human interactions with their environment.
How did you come up with the name for your startup?
Utsav Shah: White Noise Design Studio was named after the concept of how the adjective “white” is used to describe this type of noise because of the way white light works. White light is light that is made up of all of the different colors of light combined In the same way, white noise is a combination of all of the different frequencies of sound and visuals. The effects of white noise upon cognitive function are mixed. Recently, a small study found that white noise background stimulation improves cognitive functioning, this is what our aim is, to not only provide well-designed spaces but spaces that have a lasting effect on your mood and health while keeping the function in mind.
What risks are you facing?
Sanjana: Starting a business in the middle of a pandemic has a plethora of risks. Introducing a holistic approach to design on a smaller scale is new to the market. It would take us time to try and mold the thinking of the audience, and make them realize that design is no longer just about pretty wallpapers and lights, it dictates the way you function and feel in a space.
Did pandemic (COVID 19) affect your business? if yes how? What are your responsibilities as a business owner?
Utsav Shah: Given that our specialty was in the hospitality sector, which was the saddest hit by the pandemic, we had to retrace our track and re-assess. We shifted our focus to residential where we were able to provide our expertise to a lot of clients, adjusting to staying and working from home. Our focus for our residential clients has been for creating productive workspaces, ensuring we are working from home and living from work.
What piece of advice would you give to college graduates who want to become entrepreneurs?
Sanjana: It is very important to get experience in the field. We would recommend getting to know the field by working at smaller scale companies so that you can work on a variety of things, understand your strengths and where you lack and get the experience before starting on your own.
Email Id : [email protected]
LinkedIn Id : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rddhimagolyan/
We also had an Interview with Chethan Veeranna. Learn more about his remarkable journey, vision, and plans for the future here.