By Diya Ahuja, 28 April, 2020
“Born out of necessity, art is my compass through the unpredictable landscape of my mind. When the mind is in a state where it can only see darkness, the world feeling muted, the body feeling heavy, you have to confront color before you can perceive it.“
– Ragni Agarwal
Ragni Agarwal (aka RAGIMATE) is a graphic designer, illustrator, art director, professional palette chaser who loves talking about mental health, body positivity and celebrating RAD humans.
Q. Hi Ragni. How are you?
A. Hi there. I am doing okay. On the quarantine emotional rollercoaster, much like everyone else. Trying to make sense of the new normal.
Q. Tell us something about you?
A. I am a graphic designer and illustrator in Los Angeles, California. My favorite thing to do is dance (for fun). I am a professional palette chaser.
Q.How well do you connect with art?
A. Pretty well, considering it is both my profession and hobby. But also, when you are trying to monetize your passion, there are hurdles too. For the most part, I am an art lover. I love the way art can bring out your emotions and feelings.
Q.Was graphic designing something that you aspired to be since the very beginning? If not, then how come you landed up here?
A. I had always dabbled in both art and graphic design from a very young age. I was fascinated with technology and how you could manipulate art through design and software. I studied print journalism in school because my school at that time did not offer a full graphic design program but the journalism school included many design classes. As soon as I graduated, I went to another university for my certification in graphic design after which I started working in the field.
Q.Most of your artworks include mental health issues, self- destructive thoughts and body illusions. Did you start off with these topics? If not, then how did you shift from your initial works to such relevant topics?
A. My drawings started as an outlet for my own mental health issues. Initially, i would just create art as an outlet and since one of my other passions is fashion, I would include a lot of that in my illustrations as well as a celebration of women of all types. Slowly after I started receiving positive feedback, I decided to create illustrations that were more relevant to my thought process and things I and people around me were going through.
Q.Your graphic style seems to be raw and rough and quite relatable. This is one of the reasons I personally like them. How exactly will you describe your graphic style?
A. My graphic style is driven by a pop color aesthetic but brings you heavier, raw topics with a lighter, more relatable palette.
Q.Pop colors seem to a part of your aesthetic since the very beginning. Isn’t working with pop colors hard? I mean, sometimes it can turn out to be extremely good and sometimes, extremely bad. What are your views on this?
A. I LOVE COLOR. And yes, I agree it can be extremely difficult. Often times, picking out the colors I use in my pieces take the longest. Luckily, because it is a digital medium, it’s much easier to change colors on wim. I have definitely scrapped work when I thought colors weren’t working. Also since I have been illustrating a lot, I have known color palettes that I love which I often use as a base to start with before experimenting with new tones etc.
Q.Tell me about one of your favorite artworks?
A. One of my own favorite pieces to this day is Out here Trying. It’s the opening piece when you go to my website. I feel like the colors just ended up really working and the messaging is so on point with so many of my feelings.
Q.Are there any new techniques or mediums that you’d like to try out in future?
A. I have been painting/drawing a lot more non digitally and I would like to try doing some mixed media pieces.
Q.Do you follow any artists religiously?
A. Hafsa Khan, @hafandhaf, Jag Nagra, @jagnagra, Takashi Murakami, Ashley Longshore, and Yayoi Kusama⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Q.You post quite a lot on Instagram. How will you describe Instagram as a platform to showcase your work for all the people out there?
A. So far, it has been a great resource for me for finding clients and marketing my work. I highly recommend using social media for new artists.
Q.How is working in a tech start up going along with the freelancing that you do?
A. It’s going well. Because freelancing is and unsteady business especially in these crazy times. It’s nice to have steady income.
Q.Any advice for the upcoming digital artists out there?
A. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Tell your story! People want to hear what makes you you, because often it’s what makes you most relatable. And if you do, social media can really act as an aid for freelancers and artists.
To know more about the artist: http://www.ragniagarwal.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richesforrags/
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