Today we’d like to introduce you to Jigyasa Tuli.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was a studious kid set to study economics and finance. I was also a creative kid who liked art and writing, but had never really considered that a career path.
Through a last minute, whimsical turn of events, I found myself in design school abroad.
I was a blank slate. I knew nothing about design. It couldn’t have been any better though. I spent the next four years learning a lot — color theory, design principles, typography and visual art. In my opinion, graphic design is the perfect conjunction of writing, research and visual systems.
Today, I work in product design and maintain a personal practice of public,
analog and exhibit-based projects.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My design journey started with a huge leap.
When I moved to the US for design school, I was on my own and just about 18 years old. The challenge for me was two-fold: one; studying design and getting good at it, two; adapting to a big life change, being self-sufficient.
During my studies, I also started to question design itself — about authorship on “good” design and my role as a designer.
A project that I worked on was about creating a visual identity and communication system for a property tax exemption policy in Detroit. That was the first time I was on the field, talking to residents who were affected by high property taxes unjustly. That was also the first time I saw that design could be used to bring change in this way too. It made me question everything I knew back then, and built the foundation of who I am today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work spans across brand, visual and product design in hard, complex and usually inaccessible subjects like finances, homeownership and biotechnology. I find it rewarding to translate these subjects into experiences that empower people within or wanting to access these areas.
My personal design practice is about exposing systems around us – those that empower and those that oppress.
Additionally, I like exploring different ways for people to build connection.
A recent installation I co-built was about a Collective Manifesto at the Seattle Design Festival, inviting residents to co-create a wish list for their city. People came in to contribute and read what others wrote — often surprised at how similar their desires were — reinforcing a sense of solidarity or connection there.
Regardless of the medium, the core belief of any work I do is the mission in using design for good.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I love reading fiction. I pick out random books from bookstores all the time. A recent favorite is Revenge by Yoko Ogawa.
I like to “read” things around me such as public posters, roadway signs, t-shirts, graffiti, instruction manuals, newspaper ads, matrimonial pages (indian newspapers) etc. It is a somewhat strange habit but has served me well, I think.
I also have a semi-regular journaling practice. I go through my old entries from time to time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jtu.li/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jigyasatuli/
