…Art has an incredible ability to heal, and I’d love to see schools, workplaces, and communities embrace creative practices — whether it’s journaling, drawing, or storytelling — as tools for wellbeing. It’s critical for our youth to ensure these art practices and facilitators are diverse, as well as the art we showcase and champion…
As a part of our series about “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist” I had the pleasure of interviewing Sravya Attaluri.
Founder of multidisciplinary design studio Hello Colour and host of the Desi in Design Podcast, Sravya Attaluri is an award-winning illustrator, designer, and creative director whose work combines art, social impact, and strategy. A graduate of the University of Southern California and King’s College London with a master’s in Neuroscience & Psychology, her projects often explore mental health and cultural identity, especially within the South Asian community. Sravya has collaborated with brands like Adobe, Instagram, and Plan International, and her work has been exhibited internationally in Hong Kong, London, and the US. Sravya has also been named a Tatler Gen.T honoree, a UN Women UK Delegate, and a Royal Society of Arts Fellow.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I was born in India, grew up in Korea and Hong Kong, and went to a British school, so I was always navigating between cultures and holding on to traditions while embracing change. Due to my upbringing, I identify as a third-culture kid, which was at times challenging to feel like I belonged everywhere and nowhere all at the same time. Art was a constant companion and became my language to connect with others. I was always drawing, painting, or creating something to express how I felt and work through my mental health struggles. Being a TCK impacts my creative work by bringing global perspectives and cultural influences to the table. I’m passionate about sharing the complexities of living between multiple cultural worlds as well as mental health issues.
In 2013, I moved to the US to study Fine Art and Design at the University of Southern California, which was a completely transformative experience. Pursuing my undergrad at USC gave me a space to explore art professionally, learn to express myself, and find my place in the industry. I studied painting and graphic design but, ultimately, developed a passion for illustration, which has significantly influenced my career as a multidisciplinary artist.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Growing up as a third-culture kid, I learnt early on that art has a unique ability to connect people, tell stories, and inspire action. As a teenager struggling with grief and body dysmorphia, I turned to creative mediums as a way to process and express my emotions. I noticed that my art evoked reactions and made people feel something unique, resulting in deeper connections. That’s what sparked the idea to use creativity as a tool to influence and engage people in a positive way.
This naturally drew me toward advertising and marketing, where my creativity could drive change on a larger scale. Over time, I began to intentionally focus on mental health advocacy and creating art that could make a tangible social impact. I even began sharing my mental health illustrations and messages on Instagram, which resonated with thousands of followers. That intersection of creativity, storytelling, and impact is what led me to where I am today.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
One of the most impactful experiences in my career was creative directing a campaign called Our Streets Now, which aimed to criminalise public sexual harassment. Partnering with Plan International and Clear Channel, we brought together illustrators and activists, using real-life testimonials to create powerful visuals and stories that were showcased on billboards across cities in the UK. The campaign encouraged people to sign petitions, raised awareness and, ultimately, drove legislative change.
It was incredibly moving to see art play such a critical role in driving cultural and social change. It reminded me of the true power of creativity. It doesn’t just sit on walls or screens; it has the capacity to shape minds, spark conversations, and change systems. This project remains one of my proudest moments and continues to inspire me to use art for social impact.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Right now, Desi in Design is taking centre stage for me. I’ve started recording new podcast episodes after securing funding and meeting incredible guests who have reshaped how I view creativity and culture. It’s a deeply personal project for me to spotlight the journeys, triumphs, and challenges of South Asian creatives around the world. We’re building an online community where people can connect, share, and feel seen.
I’m also continuing to collaborate on projects that explore mental health, cultural identity, and visual storytelling, whether that’s through workshops, paintings, or building a creative community through my podcast, Desi in Design.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Some of the most inspiring people I’ve had the privilege to connect with are my Desi in Design guests — creatives like Laxmi Hussain, Doaly, and Murugiah, who bring so much industry experience and unique perspectives to the table. Each guest has a story of breaking barriers in fields where South Asians are often underrepresented, and hearing their journeys reinforces why I started this podcast in the first place. It’s equally important to showcase the incredible diversity within the South Asian community, whether that’s South Indians, Sri Lankans, or artists of mixed heritage, like those who are half-Indian and half-Filipino. I want to challenge the singular narrative and limited representation often associated with South Asian identity. Desi in Design is about celebrating these voices, their individuality, and the richness of our shared and distinct experiences.
Where do you draw inspiration from? Can you share a story about that?
I draw a lot of inspiration from my own experiences, particularly my mental health journey. Art has always been my anchor; whether I was navigating social anxiety or recovering from a psychosis episode, creativity gave me a way to process, express, and heal.
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learnt is the power of community support alongside art. During difficult times, connecting with others, whether it’s friends, fellow creatives, or even strangers who resonated with my work, reminded me that I wasn’t alone. That intersection of personal expression and shared connection is something I continually draw from, both as an artist and as someone passionate about mental health advocacy. My own journey shapes everything I create. I hope it can be a source of comfort and inspiration for others going through similar struggles.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
At my design studio, Hello Colour, we are intentional about the work we take on, ensuring every project aligns with our values and contributes to positive change. To make our services accessible to the organisations that need them most — charities, start-ups, and grassroots initiatives, we operate on a sliding pay scale, removing barriers for those doing critical work.
Our impact doesn’t end with client projects; we reinvest profits into building community-focused initiatives. Desi in Design, our latest project, is a podcast and platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of South Asian creatives, fostering a supportive and engaged community. Similarly, Draw for Mental Health, an initiative launched in Hong Kong, brought together curated art shows and events to raise awareness and resources for mental health.
Beyond design and creative campaigns, our work has extended to influencing policy, collaborating with mental health start-ups, and hosting events that connect and empower people. My vision for Hello Colour is for it to be more than just a design studio — it’s a proof of concept that art and design can be used as a powerful force for good. It’s about empowering young creatives, championing community-driven projects, and showing that success can and should go hand-in-hand with social impact.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1. You can create your own role. Give yourself permission to create your dream career — even if it doesn’t exist yet. Put pen to paper and write down your ideal job, describing it in great detail, and then work towards developing it into a role instead of trying to fit an existing one. Identify your unique strengths, passions, and skills and a particular industry, organization, or community that would benefit most from them.
For example, when I first learnt about the role of a Creative Director in university and later began working in creative direction roles, I quickly realised the traditional structure wasn’t for me. Creative Directors often operate at a high level, overseeing projects rather than being hands-on with the design work. While I enjoyed certain aspects, I found the role limiting. Conversely, if I focused on technical design, I had to step away from creative direction. To pitch directly to clients, I needed a title that aligned more with the accounts or business side of things. None of these predefined roles allowed me to combine my strengths, interests, and ambitions fully.
So, I decided to reimagine the concept entirely. I ditched conventional roles and titles, created my own studio, and adopted the mindset of a multi-hyphenate creative. This approach allows me to collaborate with people who excel at the things I prefer not to do while carving out a role that lets me be hands-on when I want and visionary when required. My work spans creative direction, social impact design, and the ability to work with scientists, pitch to investors, and collaborate with artists. There wasn’t a pre-existing title for this, so I made it myself.
The key is to look for what’s missing in the landscape. Ask yourself: What are others not doing? What hasn’t been defined yet? What unique combination of interests and expertise can you bring to the table? By stepping outside traditional frameworks, you can craft a career that’s not only fulfilling but also uniquely your own. Don’t let existing job descriptions limit your potential; be bold enough to write your own.
2. Don’t be afraid to combine your passions. Reflecting on my life, I know that exploring different interests, such as mental health research, graphic design, strategy, and representation, separated me from the crowd. Turning my experiences into my strengths and leaning into what makes me different ultimately propelled my career and allowed me to work with a variety of brands that needed my unique perspective. Practicing several disciplines also fosters innovative ideas. For instance, I recently pursued my master’s in Psychology & Neuroscience because of my deeply personal connection to the industry.
Over the past decade, I’ve navigated my own mental health challenges, including being medicated, spending time in a psychiatric intensive care unit, and receiving ongoing support from psychiatrists and psychologists. These experiences not only shaped me but also led to a curiosity to better understand the mental health industry, specifically pharmacology, and interventions in different countries.
This journey led to an even greater purpose: reducing the stigma around mental health in my community. I realised that advocacy and activism could take many forms, and for me, the most meaningful way to contribute was by leveraging my strengths in art and design. By combining these disciplines, I’ve found strategic ways to communicate complex topics, connect with audiences emotionally, and create impactful work that bridges both science and art.
3. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. You don’t have to do it all at once. Take your time to build. I believe the mark of a successful business is having stood the test of time rather than how fast it can scale. In my early entrepreneurial career, I experienced burnout before I understood how to delegate and set the necessary boundaries to avoid it. Taking the time to build the proper foundation will allow you to hone your craft, develop a unique voice, and cultivate a loyal audience that connects deeply with your work. It also provides time to experiment without compromising your true artistic vision.
4. Your story matters. Sharing your journey, especially the challenges, can resonate with people more than you realise. Relating with your audience helps you connect on a personal and emotional level. People are drawn to authenticity, and sharing your journey allows others to see the passion, struggles, and values behind your art, fostering deeper engagement and loyalty. Your story becomes part of your artistic identity, inspiring others while establishing your place in the creative community.
5. Just keep going. Perseverance is very important, especially in creative fields where success won’t come for many years for most people. The creative path is filled with challenges, including rejection and self-doubt, but each setback is an opportunity to grow and refine your craft. By staying committed to your dreams, you give yourself the chance to evolve, reach new audiences, and eventually achieve the fulfillment of doing what you love. Perseverance also inspires others, proving that dedication and passion can turn creative aspirations into a thriving reality.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Art has an incredible ability to heal, and I’d love to see schools, workplaces, and communities embrace creative practices — whether it’s journaling, drawing, or storytelling — as tools for wellbeing. It’s critical for our youth to ensure these art practices and facilitators are diverse, as well as the art we showcase and champion.
We have been blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she just might see this.
This might be a bit niche, but I would love to have lunch with Ritu David from The Data Duck. She’s truly a market disrupter with a portfolio and impact that is both impressive and inspiring. As a South Asian woman who has worked across different markets, she’s navigated challenges like imposter syndrome, pitching confidently, and dealing with skeptics — all while driving innovation. Her strategic thinking and ability to create meaningful change in the industries she works in have been a huge influence on me. It would be invaluable to learn from her insights and hear how she approaches her work and vision.
What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?
You can follow me on Instagram @sravyaa and listen to Desi in Design on Spotify or Apple podcasts. Visit desiindesign.com to subscribe to our newsletter, and follow us on Instagram @desiindesign.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Sravya Attaluri: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.