Going with the Flow

Freelance illustrator Sreenihal Pouka goes where his work takes him, enjoying an easy fluidity that reflects in his work

What drew you to study animation and film design?

SP: Sketching was always a passion and I participated in several school level competitions. I went on to the National Institute of Design for a Bachelor of Design degree, and chose to major in animation and film design because I like to see how my drawings move around and tell stories. Learning animation helped me not just to improve my drawing skills but also developed my story telling. Graduating from NID really helped me to develop my skills as a designer. Studying with many students from all over India was a real experience.

Please introduce us to your current design practice.

SP: I’m currently working as a freelance illustrator, focusing largely on water color paintings and mural art. Since I love to travel, being a freelancer is more fun for me. I travel to wherever the work is, and currently I am based in Gangtok in Sikkim where I am working on a project for a design studio called Echostream. Clients like Suzuki gave me the opportunity to work as a freelance illustrator for their festivals like Comic-con. I like to work this way because I meet many people and get to know about other cultures. People think freelancers have a lot free time and can work however they want; while that is true, it’s more about planning. You have to work like an individual studio; you are the accountant, project head, designer, worker and more. You have to keep the work flowing in - if you don’t plan well, your studio will shut down soon! But it is fun to be a freelancer - you don’t need to give leave applications, you can take holidays whenever you want!

What is your approach to a new project?