We’re a team of creative builders, designers, engineers, photographers, writers, strategists, all in one collaborative space.
We believe in discovery and experimentation. And inviting ideas that feel surprising and right. Clients join us early on in the process and stay the course. Together, we explore, prototype, and refine ideas quickly. This spirited, interdisciplinary approach helps us deliver work that’s thoughtful, effective, and infused with the richness of many minds.
Makarand brings an interdisciplinary approach to design, blending artistic sensibilities with mathematical rigour. He is a columnist at The Economic Times and author of the book What is Design. As an educator, he helps organisations discover the power of creativity through Systematic Innovation and Total Customer Experience. Makarand is a mechanical engineer with a postgraduate degree in product design from the National Institute of Design. Before founding Ether, he spent a decade at Tata Motors and TVS Motor Company, designing some of their most iconic products. With over 25 years of experience, his work spans industrial design, software products, space design, and brand communication.
Chinmay Dholakia is an exemplary creative force with over 25 years of expertise in design, advertising, and communication. A graduate of M.S. University, Baroda, Chinmay's professional journey includes pivotal roles at leading agencies such as Leo Burnett and FCB Ulka. These experiences have refined his ability to develop distinctive brand identities that resonate deeply with audiences. At Ether Design, which he co-founded with Makarand Kulkarni, Chinmay's leadership is characterised by a blend of strategic vision and creative passion. His efforts have consistently pushed the studio to new heights, making him a respected and influential figure in the design community.
Beyond the world of design, Chinmay has a keen eye for photography, capturing moments that reflect his artistic sensibilities. His dedication to the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement drives his commitment to excellence in all aspects of his work and life.
Beyond the world of design, Chinmay has a keen eye for photography, capturing moments that reflect his artistic sensibilities. His dedication to the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement drives his commitment to excellence in all aspects of his work and life.
With a background in architecture and industrial design, Nilesh has worked with brands like Godrej and Featherlite before co-founding Ether. His expertise spans products, furniture, and spatial experiences. As a visiting faculty at NID, he shares his passion for design education while working on projects that balance creativity and strategy.
Rachita brings in over 18 years of professional experience in Graphic Design. At Ether, Rachita has been instrumental in shaping up the branding and web business. Rachita's interest and professional practice has been centered around building brand personas through the visual medium.
Arjun J Dutt, with a Master’s in Product Design and Engineering, brings 15 years of mastery in leading teams through the journey of designing, developing, and prototyping innovative products. His proficiency in CAD software and manufacturing processes which is complemented by a commitment to sustainability, aesthetic harmony, and functional balance is unmatched.
Notably, he played a pivotal role in the creation of Cradlewise, earning the prestigious Platinum award at the European Product Design Awards.
Notably, he played a pivotal role in the creation of Cradlewise, earning the prestigious Platinum award at the European Product Design Awards.
With more than 15 years in automotive design, Rishi has led CAS and Class-A surfacing teams at Maruti Suzuki, Hero MotoCorp, and Matter Motors. Trained as a mechanical engineer, he combines hands-on modelling expertise with leadership in project planning, guiding ideas from concept to production with clarity and precision.
With over a decade in design, Hari has worked across advertising, branding, and digital products. At Ogilvy, he led creative campaigns before moving into user experience. At Ether, he focuses on UI/UX, combining structure and craft to design interfaces that are clear, functional, and engaging.
Unnati works across branding, UI, print, packaging and type design, with a strong focus on detail and craft. Her practice is shaped by a strong typographic sensibility and a focus on building visual systems that feel thoughtful and intuitive.
She enjoys turning complex brand ideas into clear, memorable expressions that people can connect with. Curious by nature, Unnati is always seeking new experiences, letting that curiosity quietly inform and evolve her creative journey.
She enjoys turning complex brand ideas into clear, memorable expressions that people can connect with. Curious by nature, Unnati is always seeking new experiences, letting that curiosity quietly inform and evolve her creative journey.
Bharati's portfolio includes stints at Icarus Design, Magic Beans, and Trip Creative Services. Her work is a testament to her core values and beliefs, reflected in both her professional projects and personal lifestyle choices.
Looking at the world through colours and films, Bharati’s curious mind is full of quirks. She finds comfort in simple things, such as in an old book, traditional recipes, or even a hot cup of coffee. As a trained swimmer and dancer, Bharati’s skills extend beyond her design career. She is currently exploring her love for scuba diving and kayaking.
Looking at the world through colours and films, Bharati’s curious mind is full of quirks. She finds comfort in simple things, such as in an old book, traditional recipes, or even a hot cup of coffee. As a trained swimmer and dancer, Bharati’s skills extend beyond her design career. She is currently exploring her love for scuba diving and kayaking.
With years of experience in finance and accounting, Pushpa has also supported HR, administration, and mergers and acquisitions for tech startups. Her ability to balance precision in numbers with dependable organizational support makes her a key resource for growing businesses.
With over a decade in industrial design, Ashish has worked across startups and studios in mobility, consumer products, and brand experiences. A graduate of Domus Academy, he combines strategic thinking with hands-on design to create outcomes that are clear, functional, and enduring.
With a Diploma in Automotive Digital Sculpting and over 3 years of expertise in 3D modeling, Vikram R Dhanush turns raw concepts into sleek, functional designs. Specializing in Class A modeling and swift 2D-to-3D transformations, Vikram’s work ensures that every curve and surface serves a clear purpose.
Outside the digital realm, he channels his creativity as an aspiring part-time tattoo artist, bringing a fresh perspective to automotive design. For Vikram, the essence of design lies in solving problems with elegance, not adding complexity.
Outside the digital realm, he channels his creativity as an aspiring part-time tattoo artist, bringing a fresh perspective to automotive design. For Vikram, the essence of design lies in solving problems with elegance, not adding complexity.
With a BA in VFX & Animation and a rich tapestry of experience from Vartile, Muhsin crafts mesmerizing motion graphics that bring stories to life. His creative philosophy revolves around a deep commitment to the process, where results are the natural byproduct of passion and dedication. He also immerses himself in the worlds of gaming and trading, blending strategic acumen with artistic flair. For Muhsin, design is a tool to simplify and solve, not to complicate and obscure.
Deepshika Kale is an eclectic visual communications designer with a deep passion for projects involving branding, packaging, and both print and digital design. A 2022 graduate from the Unitedworld Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, Deepshika has already amassed over three years of diverse experience, collaborating with multiple firms such as The Souled Store and tackling various projects.
An enthusiastic illustrator, Deepshika has worked with renowned music artists, and her work has been featured by prestigious institutions like Lakme Fashion Week & Rolling Stones. With her headphones always plugged in, she continues to push the boundaries of visual communication, bringing a fresh perspective to every project she undertakes.
An enthusiastic illustrator, Deepshika has worked with renowned music artists, and her work has been featured by prestigious institutions like Lakme Fashion Week & Rolling Stones. With her headphones always plugged in, she continues to push the boundaries of visual communication, bringing a fresh perspective to every project she undertakes.
Ritu Kulkarni is a visual communications designer, celebrated for her versatile skill set and creative flair. A 2023 graduate from the Unitedworld Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, Ritu has swiftly made her mark in the design world with two years of rich experience through internships at Phantom Ideas and Red In The White, as well as her current role at Ether Design. Ritu's expertise spans writing, copy, branding, UI/UX, typography, and advertisement design, making her a true multi-disciplinary talent.
She loves to write and regularly shares her insights through blogs that delve into design, philosophy, and everyday life observations. Her portfolio boasts collaborations with notable brands like Swiggy and The Home Truth, showcasing her ability to blend creativity with strategic vision.
She loves to write and regularly shares her insights through blogs that delve into design, philosophy, and everyday life observations. Her portfolio boasts collaborations with notable brands like Swiggy and The Home Truth, showcasing her ability to blend creativity with strategic vision.
GopalaKrishna has over 17 years of experience in clay and hard modelling, including 11 years at TVS Motor Company, where he received a 10-year service award. Trained in Fine Arts, he is also a Yakshagana performer and traditional wood and stone sculptor.
Armed with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a stint as an intern at BARC, Anirudh Swamy brings precision and creativity to every design challenge. His work in design, 3D modeling, and engineering detail resolution reflects his belief that design and engineering must dance in harmony to spark innovation.
When he’s not crafting solutions, Anirudh channels his energy into singing, drawing, and the exhilarating world of football, blending passion with his professional pursuits.
When he’s not crafting solutions, Anirudh channels his energy into singing, drawing, and the exhilarating world of football, blending passion with his professional pursuits.
Alex Joseph is an Automotive Designer at Ether Design, with a degree from M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences and three years of industry experience. Specializing in industrial and product design, Alex brings a hands-on approach to his work, emphasizing functionality, simplicity, and aesthetics.
His passion for automobiles deeply influences his designs, reflecting his love for biking and his cherished motorcycle. An adventurous spirit, Alex continuously seeks new experiences, enriching his creative perspective and skill set.
His passion for automobiles deeply influences his designs, reflecting his love for biking and his cherished motorcycle. An adventurous spirit, Alex continuously seeks new experiences, enriching his creative perspective and skill set.
Atul Prabhakar is an architect whose expertise lies in commercial architecture, interior space planning, and cutting-edge 3D visualization techniques. With a bachelor's degree in architecture, Atul's design philosophy is rooted in the principle that "Form follows function, but both must respect nature," guiding his innovative and environmentally conscious approach to creating harmonious and functional spaces.
Thejav is a design engineer at Ether Design with a postgraduate degree in product design and engineering from NTTF. His work covers CAD, prototyping, and industrial design, bringing technical rigour and creative problem-solving to projects. He combines engineering discipline with a hands-on approach to making.
Shubham began his career in clay modelling at Bajaj Auto before moving into digital design. With a background in mechanical engineering, he now works across CAS, CAD and digital sculpting, bringing both physical and virtual precision to the design process.
Janhavi is a designer at Ether Design, with a background in fashion from NIFT and experience at Royal Enfield. Her work spans apparel, lifestyle, and communication design. She combines design craft with practical detail, creating outcomes that are both expressive and functional across industries.
A graduate of Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy, Vignesh focuses on digital sculpting for automotive design. At Ether, he works across CAS and 3D modelling, ensuring surfaces meet both creative direction and technical standards required for production-ready models.
With a background in automobile engineering, Shanmugasundaram moved from digital sculpting at Tata Consultancy Services to advanced surface modelling. Skilled in CAS and Class-A surfacing, he brings rigour in his translation of ideas into refined, production-ready automotive forms.
Shreesha is a Communication Designer at Ether Design with experience across print, digital, and illustration. A graduate of PES University, she works on projects that demand both precision and imagination. Her focus is on creating communication that is clear, engaging, and visually distinctive.
From staff support and hospitality to clay modelling assistance, repairs, and housekeeping, Sunil keeps the studio running with quiet efficiency. His warmth, humility, and interest in music enrich daily life at Ether. Sunil keeps reminding us that niceness is the secret sauce of the service business, or for that matter, any business.
I’m an architect with four years of experience across residential and commercial projects. I enjoy finding possibilities within the design brief and translating them into environments that feel very personal and are practical too. I keep learning new tools and approaches; I feel curiosity is the most essential ingredient for creativity!
With a Master’s in Transportation Design from MIT Institute of Design and early experience at Tata Consultancy Services, Sanket brings strong foundations in Class-A surfacing and digital sculpting. His work combines technical rigour with a keen sense for clean, production-ready design.
A graduate of Eluru College of Engineering and Technology, Baba works in Alias-based digital modelling. At Ether, he focuses on Class-A surfacing and high-quality 3D models, ensuring design concepts translate seamlessly into production-ready automotive forms with accuracy, clarity, and attention to detail.