On the occasion of Women’s Day, we caught up with Neha Singhal on what inspires her, and her views and ideas as a woman in the field of design. We hope you enjoy this tête-à-tête!
Berger Paints India: What inspires you to think creatively and fuels you to ‘paint your imagination’? (Paint your imagination is Berger Paints’ tagline).
Neha Singhal: The idea of making anything and everything ‘gorgeously practical’ keeps my mind in a constant whirl. It’s not only at work, but even in the smallest of everyday things.
Berger Paints India: Which is your favourite project till date? Tell us more about it.
Neha Singhal: Designing the interiors for a school in Noida. Working on the day-care and play school interiors was quite wonderful! Designing for tiny tots- creating themes that would fuel their imagination, make the spaces enjoyable, safe and comfortable for them. My team and I were successfully able to achieve dreamy, yet playful places for different age groups. We also worked on their covered outdoor cafe that lights up beautifully in the evening for functions. The use of colours and paints played an integral part in this.
Berger Paints India: What made you choose architecture/interior design as a career?
Neha Singhal: From quite early on, it has been most fascinating to experience our heritage and buildings while travelling. The way light and colour played with spaces each time. Architecture was the best way for me to understand this and enjoy it more.
Berger Paints India: What do you enjoy most about interior decorating?
Neha Singhal: Be it at any scale, what is most fun about design is that there is so much layering and play with material, textures that is possible – that ultimately comes together as one whole. It makes the whole process that much more exciting.
Berger Paints India: Which design trend are you most excited about?
Neha Singhal: I am quite looking forward to the use of textured walls- be it in jewel tones or in earthy or in any other. They add a lot in terms of character and interest, even if used in the same colour tones
Berger Paints India: How does it feel to be a women architect/interior designer amongst male counterparts?
Neha Singhal: That we initially might need to work harder than our male counterparts to prove ourselves feels regressive. However, it also becomes strength, where when I say something, I know what I am talking about. It is more a matter of carving out one’s own identity in the industry. Once that is on track, things become easier in the sense that the focus shifts to the aesthetically practical design and getting the client to trust our vision rather than trying to prove yourself to fellow peers.
Berger Paints India: Do you think interior design is a gender-dominated vocation?
Neha Singhal: Honestly, no. I do not think it is a gender-dominated vocation. However, the execution on-site does feel so.
Berger Paints India: Which books are you currently reading/what are your hobbies?
Neha Singhal: The Man in Riddles by Ankit Chadha; Creative Superpowers are two I’m reading at present.
Interested in more inspiration? View the remainder of Neha’s exclusive interview with us by clicking on the link:
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