What happens when a designer leaves a successful advertising career to explore the deeper meaning of design?

In this episode of The Art School Graduate Podcast, Justin Robinson sits down with graphic designer, educator, filmmaker, and creative director Shantanu Suman for a powerful conversation about design, culture, identity, and visual storytelling.

Born and raised in India, Shantanu worked at some of the world’s leading advertising agencies before moving to the United States to pursue his MFA at the University of Florida. His journey transformed the way he thought about design—from simply creating visual solutions to asking deeper questions about culture, communication, and human experience.

Together, Justin and Shantanu discuss:

• Growing up as a creative in India• The differences between Indian and American design culture
• Why design is more than problem solving
• The importance of documenting overlooked visual cultures
• His award-winning documentary Horn Please and Indian truck art
• Hindi typography and cultural identity in design
• Building Studio 165+, a student-run design studio at Ball State University
• Mentorship, collaboration, and preparing the next generation of designers
• The responsibility designers carry when their work enters the world

This conversation is packed with insights for graphic designers, creative directors, design students, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of culture and creativity.

If you’ve ever wondered how design shapes the way we see ourselves and the world around us, this episode is for you. Based on the interview transcript.

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