‘I love how each room defines the person staying there’

Priya Singla was a freelancer designer who has recently turned into an entrepreneur. She is about to launch her interior design company: Ritih Ateliers in Gurgaon. The entrepreneur has completed her Bachelors’ in Interior Designing in 2017   In a light hearted interview, the design expert mentions how the lack of creative expression in designs at professional design firms led her to quit her job and start her design company. Edited excerpts:

Many congratulations on this new journey. So, tell us a bit about your company?

The idea to start my company came from the vision that I did not want to work for anyone. I wanted to develop something of my own, that I can call my legacy in the coming years. Also, I love designing beautiful comfort spaces for people. That is why I am more into residential designing rather than commercial designing. I love how each room defines the person staying there. 

Every room has a unique characteristic and it should have the element of the person staying there. With every project and client, there is a different story. There is a different taste they want to go with. That is very helpful and creatively stimulating to me as a designer. I have 3 projects in Gurgaon at the moment and near Diwali, I will do a proper launch of my company.

 Did you always want to be an entrepreneur?

As a designer, we take inspiration from something and work on that. But as I worked in studios, I saw that in many of the firms and interior design studios, an approach based on plagiarism functioned most of the time. They just saw a photo and made something on similar lines. I felt there is less space for individual imagination, expression and creativity. I was not very happy working there. Hence, I came up with the idea to become an entrepreneur and start my company.

What are your best memories from the ASU days?

In lunch breaks or free time, we used to sit in the gardens at the campus. The campus had many small lovely gardens. It was there that we sat in winters and did all kinds of “masti”, photo clicking and gossip sessions. Roaming around the campus was fun. I simply loved those days. Also, I was a part of the Rotaract Club at ASU. Initially, I was the Joint Secretary and later, became the Vice President. That was a great experience.

One word of advice for current ASU design students who wish to be an entrepreneur?

Things will take time. Patience is the key to becoming an entrepreneur!

Your future targets?

I want to do large scale projects. Also, I am manifesting that I get some good clients. Basically, clients with whom I can have a harmonious relationship so that we can create something peacefully.

Three must-do to become a good designer

Hard work – it is a must to become anything in life. Then comes discipline, and lastly one must be aware of all the trends in one’s field.