Putting Ideas on Paper

Manpreet Singh believes in having complete control over the business of design, whether it involves furniture or hand crafted stationery.

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What made you choose to be a design entrepreneur?

MS: Belonging to a business family, I always had an entrepreneurial bent of mind. Design as a profession has a lot of flexibility, and one can do their best only when they have complete autonomy over the process. Design is a form of creative expression, and entrepreneurship is about giving life to an idea; I wanted to combine the best of both worlds.

Being an entrepreneur is akin to being a designer. Both challenge your capabilities and require a creative bent of mind. As an entrepreneur, I have to create a viable business from an idea; and as a designer, I have to create a product from an idea. In both cases, it begins with the conception of an idea, which is then refined till the last detail to create something of value. Taking on these two roles is quite challenging at times, I have to divide my time optimally between these two roles. Both fields require a strenuous thought process and an unshakeable belief in your idea. I take out time every day to swim and play the piano, which not only manages my stress but also helps me to think with clarity.

What drew you to design?

MS: I was inclined towards art and crafts as a child, and took up painting at a very young age; it was a creative outlet throughout my formative years. I would spend hours making things, creating something out of nothing. I really enjoyed origami and would do a lot of work in paper. As I grew older, I realized that building was my passion. Not just the action, but the noun as well. I would be fascinated by spaces, and the intricate detailing that architecture entails.