An innovative visual artist and skilled communicator, Riya specializes in alternative visual development with a focus on sustainability, science, and ephemeral aesthetics. Her expertise in communication and visual arts is grounded in a strong educational foundation in Visual Communication. Riya has achieved global recognition through creative exhibitions, showcasing her work to diverse audiences. Committed to advancing visual art research, she seeks to share her knowledge while building connections in the field of alternative visual strategies. Her work emphasizes sustainable practices, cultural preservation, and heritage, aiming to redefine visual storytelling and narrative building in ways that honour both tradition and innovation.

Education:

MA Visual Communication, Royal College of Art, London, 2023-2024

Bachelor in Design, Fashion Communication, Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune, Maharashtra, 2016 - 2020

Work Experience:

Creative Strategist

Fruitbowl Digital - Mumbai

Led a team of 3 designers in developing and executing creative marketing campaigns for 7 brands.

Directed visual art strategies for the brands, shaping their identities across social media platforms.

Communication Manager

Ploti - Pune

Managed the visual identities of three lifestyle and fashion brands through graphic development, social media, and campaign direction.

Directed creative vision for two brands, presenting their products on Instagram through photography and editing.

Assistant Professor in Visual Communication - UID - Present

Faculty for 2024 Open Elective- National Institute of Design (NID) - Ahmedabad (2 weeks in 2024)

Achievements:

Exhibited work in "Symbiosis II" by London Alternative Photography Collective.

Published in India’s leading pop art platform Homegrown.in and featured in Vogue India.

Featured on a billboard in Tokyo, Japan, and on the Alternative Process Photography page.

Contributed to Women Alternative Photography Group research by Elizabeth Ransom.

Part of the collaborative publication "On the Bias" among RCA students around textiles and writing.

Awarded Best Creative Director and Stylist at Symbiosis Institute of Design, batch of 2016-2020.

Student Representative for MA Visual Communication at RCA, batch of 2023-2024.

Artist Facilitator for Grenfell Community Workshop on Art Therapy for Neurodivergent Children.

Artist in "SYMBIOSIS III" at PhotoFringe 2024, curated by London Alternative Photography Collective also known as LAPC.

Speaker at "The Art of Experimentation" Symposium at FolkHouseBristol, 2024.

Interview published by JAIT Media, a media platform run to support emerging artists.

International Collector Support:

Successfully secured support from 33 collectors, internationally, demonstrating appreciation for my experimental photography/ visual niche.

Skills:

Alternative Photography

Visual Design

Adobe Creative Suite ( Adobe Indesign, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator )

Print and Digital Design

Volunteer Experience:

Served as a creative niche facilitator at Sunrise School, Kharadi, Pune, with The Apprentice Project.

Volunteered with MAD (Make a Difference) in Dehradun.

Languages: English (Fluent); Hindi (Fluent)