Interview with India’s Global Graphic Voice, Nitya Bellani

Indian designer Nitya Bellani has profiled one of the most exciting voices in graphic design in recent times. He has many awards. Red Dot Design Awards for conceptual poster and book design, numerous International Design Awards (IDA) for projects such as the Futura promotional booklet and the Text as Art catalogue, and recognition at the AIGA Atlanta Pin-Up Show.

This month, Bellani’s typographic work was featured in the global nonprofit initiative Fight for Good. Bellani’s poster is part of a multi-city exhibition. The exhibition has spread from Brno Bold in the Czech Republic to Barcelona Design Week in Spain and has now expanded to two more venues. One is the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies in Yerevan and the second is Armenia (November 13–December 5). These exhibitions coincide with World Kindness Day on November 13.

Report

Journalist: Your latest typographic work is on display in Yerevan and Derby as part of the Challenge for Kindness global exhibitions. How do you see your work being exhibited in different cities around the world, carrying messages of kindness?

Nitya Bellani: It is a great feeling to see a project appreciated in different locations. As a designer, the goal is always to connect as many people as possible from different places.

Journalist: Fighting for Good focuses on the power of typography to foster empathy and social change. What appealed to you most about this initiative, founded by Debora Manetti and supported by partners such as Zetafonts, ADCE and Type Directors Club?

Nitya Bellani: The project mostly focuses on how designs can serve a larger purpose. And this vision aligns with my beliefs.

Journalist: The 2025 edition received more than 500 submissions from more than 350 designers worldwide. And only the most effective posters were selected for the annual publication. What do you think makes your poster stand out in such a competitive scenario?

Nitya Bellani: When I started working on the poster, my aim was not to stand out. It was about staying true to the purpose, the lens, and infusing empathy, kindness, and optimism into every design element. Celebrating kindness at its core, this work invited people to stand with us and made the poster shine.

Journalist: Your work has also been recognized at major award ceremonies. You are a two-time Red Dot Design Award winner. How do these older works inspire you to create designs for socially focused exhibitions like Fight for Kindness?

Nitya Bellani: These projects taught me how to translate abstract ideas into clear visual messages. Also creating works that focus on emotional and social themes rather than purely philosophical ones.

Journalist: A highly respected global jury evaluated your projects, the Futura booklet and the Text as Art catalogue, respectively, at the International Design Awards. And it was honored for conceptual depth and innovation. How have these IDA recognitions shaped your confidence and direction as an Indian designer working on the global stage?

Nitya Bellani: Receiving appreciation from esteemed juries gave me the necessary confidence. It gave me confidence that my thought process and perspective had a place internationally. It also encouraged me to try new things while staying true to my core beliefs.

Journalist: Winning the AIGA Atlanta Pin-Up Show and exhibition at the Museum of Design Atlanta was another milestone. Looking back, what role did that moment play in your transition from a student or beginner designer to an established professional?

Nitya Bellani: This experience helped me connect my academic studies with the professional world. Platforms and institutions like MODA and AIGA are highly respected and getting visibility and support from them has helped me believe in my work. It instilled confidence in my skills and myself.

Journalist: Your Applied Arts Student Award for the Futura Type project demonstrated your early interest in type, geometry and narrative. Do you see a direct connection between this first experiment and the typographic language you now use in the Fight for Good posters?

Nitya Bellani: Yes, exploring types, forms and colors in that project gave me an identity that I still carry in my work.

Journalist: Your work was selected for Fine Acts and TED Countdown’s “Artists for Climate” category, and later for the “Dignity for All” open call. These projects bring together artists and activists for important global issues. How do you balance client work with experiential, socially focused work?

Nitya Bellani: It’s about respecting both jobs. Client work has its own challenges and learnings, and the projects I do for award functions have to be perfect in every way.

Journalist: People in China know you from collaborations like Collective arts brewery. Where your images can be seen on beer labels. How does it feel to see your work appreciated not only in art galleries but all over the world?

Nitya Bellani: It is quite natural that people encounter designs in daily life. I’m grateful that my art can reach a wider audience. It also inspires me to create more thoughtful work in the future.

Journalist: The Fight for Good program has created a global network. With exhibitions since 2022 in cities in Italy, France, Spain, Bulgaria, Hungary, England, Egypt, Indonesia and the USA. What does “global community” mean to you as an Indian designer joining this network?

Nitya Bellani: It’s a great opportunity to learn. It is also a challenge to train the best designers around the world. Collaborating with different designers helps me become a better person.

Journalist: Founder Debora Manetti has worked on branding and typography for almost two decades, running projects such as Zetafonts. What did you learn from him about pursuing a long career in design?

Nitya Bellani: Her career shows that hard work, curiosity and consistency pay off. That’s why I’d like to follow in his footsteps. Design is not just a profession, it serves a greater purpose.

Journalist: Your journey has taken you from India to international awards. What would you like to say to young South Asian designers who want to follow the same path as you?

Nitya Bellani: Creating such a path is time consuming. Stay true to your craft, improve, learn, and never miss an opportunity to show your work to the world.