How the Studio Works

We are a small team of researchers, designers and writers, doing targeted work to drive long-term impact. We take pride in designing solutions that are honest, practical and sustainable. The team functions at an extremely fast pace, following a rigorous planning and implementation process. We run like a high-intensity kitchen.

We are a no-fluff, no-bullshit, no-jargon setup. We keep everything real. We call out things that we aren’t aligned on, or comfortable with. We speak up. We dig, dig, dig, and dig further for better answers. We are all researchers in our own way. We are shy. We are humble. We question everything that we rep, and that’s awesome. We are cynical and extremely critical. We have judgements, but function from a deep level of empathy. We listen. We remember. We fight. We are willing to undo, change and reset for a better solution at any time, and at any cost. We adapt. Help others adapt. We push for change with deep humility and respect.

Our studio has a reputation for maintaining extremely high standards of quality and precision across all aspects of our work. It’s an inclusive work practice with our partner orgs and beneficiaries and collaborators all being at the centre of each discussion. This style of working has been Studio Subu’s trademark and the reason for all its success so far. The people working with us have made Studio Subu what it is.

Having Soul

Means Everything

Our studio has always been a scrappy little setup. It’s like the library room of a messy writer’s home. It’s like the workstation of an artist’s outhouse. Paint stains on the floor. Dusty carpet. Papers, Books, sheets, and markers all around. Inspiration references stacked in all corners. A couple of wilting plants.

We don’t necessarily build the most cutting-edge designs or experiences. We don’t always get it right. Our solutions aren’t flawless or perfect from any angle. Our opinions and recommendations aren’t always backed by strong proof points. We work on a bit of intuition, a bit of gut, a bit of unbiased observations, quite a few honest conversations and a whole lot of soul. That’s probably why we have had organisations partnering with us since 2015.

Soul in every email we draft. Soul in every little post we put out. In every little thing we create. Soul in each hug and smile we give someone when we meet them. Soul that’s so honest, pure and true, that it sometimes muddies up our understanding of whether we are approaching an action from a professional or a personal outlook. It drives the way we want to find answers in a meeting, or find solutions for anyone’s problem. It's our grit, grind and chase to find the best answer that helps us match up to (or sometimes outrun) the ones with more talent and skill. This is why the studio has survived and stayed (relatively) relevant for 9+ years.

Without soul, we aren’t relevant. There is enough great talent in the world to swap out with. There are better-run firms around us. The soul we bring to our every action at the studio makes us special.

The Team

Partner, CEO/Creative Head

Harish

Subramanian

Partner, Head of Strategy & Business

Meghna

Rakshit

Senior Design Researcher

Rhea
Antony

Senior Visual Designer

Gayatri

Shah

Head of Operations

Siddhika

Nagwade

Senior Operations Manager

Bhartendu

Om

Openings

Visual Designer

Mumbai, Full-Time

Design Apprentice

Mumbai, Short-Term

Shoutout to the members who have built the studio

Over the past 9 years, the studio has morphed into different shapes and sizes with a singular goal of pushing and innovating on what research, design and communication is, and can be in the Indian social impact space. We have preferred to keep Studio Subu nimble, fluidic and exploratory as a setup. It allows us to push hard and fast. It allows us to pilot ideas, and experiment with concepts that are hard to implement in a standard agency / organisation.

The studio has had amazing members who've pushed it at different stages of development. Here's a list of our kickass past team members & collaborators who've made Studio Subu what it is today.