Fellow Yellow Design Studio is a young and thoughtful design practice led by Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. The studio believes that good design is not just about how a space looks, but how it feels and how people connect with it. With a background in architecture, Geethu brings a strong focus on people and everyday experiences, while Sreyas adds a structured approach shaped by engineering and management.
Together, they create spaces that are simple, meaningful, and rooted in context. Their work values honesty in materials, careful detailing, and a calm, timeless quality. The studio has received recognition, including Young Practice of the Year at the IIID National Awards 2025 and the WADE Asia Awards 2025, as well as several other design accolades.
As part of Abir Pothi’s DTalks series, Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. open up about their creative process, projects and design philosophy.
Q1. How was Fellow Yellow Design Studio founded, and what core philosophy drives your practice? Could you also tell us about your leadership, design approach, and any key recognitions the studio has received?
Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. : Fellow Yellow Design Studio was founded on a simple yet powerful belief that good design goes beyond aesthetics, shaping how people feel, live, and connect with the spaces around them.
The studio is led by Geethu Gangadharan, whose people-first design approach is informed by her architectural training and experience across a diverse range of projects. Sreyas Vidhu S complements this with a strong foundation in systems and strategy, drawing from his background in engineering, infrastructure, and management.
Together, they bring a thoughtful balance of creativity and clarity, where intuition meets structure, and ideas are grounded in purpose. Their process is deeply rooted in listening, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to every project they undertake.
At Fellow Yellow, the focus extends beyond creating spaces. The studio is steadily building a design culture defined by honesty, sensitivity, and a belief in architecture that quietly yet meaningfully enhances everyday life.
Fellow Yellow was recognised as Young Practice of the Year at the IIID National Awards 2025 and at the WADE Asia Awards 2025. In addition, the studio has received accolades from platforms such as the Kyoorius Design Awards, IDAC Awards, FOAID, and the IIID HRC Awards, as well as several regional recognitions.
Q2. How would you describe your signature design aesthetic, and how has it evolved while working in India?
Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. : Our design aesthetic is less about a fixed visual style and more about a way of thinking that is deeply influenced by context, whether it’s the site, the client’s requirements, or the roots we aim to establish through each project. We approach every space as a response to its surroundings, allowing factors like climate, culture, materiality, and user behaviour to shape the outcome.
Over time, this has led us towards a more grounded and restrained language, one that values honesty in materials, sensitivity in detailing, and a sense of timelessness. Working in India has further strengthened this approach, encouraging us to draw from local narratives, craftsmanship, and spatial traditions, while interpreting them in a contemporary way. Ultimately, our aesthetic is about creating spaces that feel rooted, relevant, and quietly enduring rather than driven by a predefined style.
Q3. What influences and inspires your current work? Could you share some movements, designers, or elements of Indian culture that have shaped your practice?
Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. : Our current work is influenced by a mix of context, culture, and a growing inclination towards restraint and material honesty. Lately, we’ve been particularly inspired by the temple architecture of India, the way these spaces are layered, experiential, and deeply rooted in proportion, rhythm, and craftsmanship. There’s a certain timelessness in how they guide movement, use light, and create a sense of pause and introspection, which we find very relevant even in contemporary design.
Q4. Could you walk us through your creative process? How do you move from initial concept to final execution?
Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. : Our process begins with listening, understanding the client, context, and the intent behind the space. We then build a clear concept or narrative that guides planning, materiality, and design decisions. As the project develops, it’s an iterative process of refining ideas through drawings, discussions, and collaboration with all stakeholders. During execution, we stay closely involved on site to ensure the design is carried through with integrity and attention to detail, allowing the space to evolve while staying true to its core idea.
Q5. Your work often involves collaborations with artisans and other creatives. What draws you to these partnerships, and how do these collaborations enrich your design practice?
Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. : We’re naturally drawn to collaborations because they bring a depth and authenticity that design alone cannot achieve. Working with artisans and other creatives allows us to tap into generations of knowledge, craft, and intuition that add richness and character to a space. These partnerships often push us to think beyond standard solutions and respond more sensitively to materials, techniques, and context. At the same time, it becomes a two-way exchange in which design intent and craftsmanship evolve together through dialogue. For us, these collaborations don’t just enhance the final outcome; they shape the process itself, making it more layered, grounded, and meaningful.
Q6. Looking back at your portfolio, which project represents a significant turning point in your career, and among your recent works, which project are you most proud of and why?
Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. : Looking back, one of the early turning points in our journey was the design of Kortyard, a café. It gave us significant visibility, largely because of how the project evolved within a challenging space, almost like a basement with very little natural breathing room. We approached this by introducing landscape as a key interior element, aligning it closely with the brand’s ethos of healthy living. That project helped us realise how constraints can often lead to more inventive and meaningful design solutions.
Among our recent works, Telusa stands out as a project we’re particularly proud of. It has received encouraging recognition for its distinct design language and its emphasis on authentic art and craft. What makes it special to us is the way it brings together narrative, materiality, and cultural context into a cohesive experience, reflecting the direction we’re keen to pursue as a studio.
Telusa | Image Credit: Fellow Yellow
Q7. What unique challenges and opportunities have you encountered as an emerging designer in the Indian design industry, and how are you working to overcome these obstacles?
Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. : As an emerging practice in the Indian design industry, one key challenge has been navigating a market that is both highly diverse and often driven by timelines, budgets, and rapidly changing expectations. There can be limited room at times to fully explore design depth or long-term thinking, especially in projects that prioritise speed or cost. At the same time, this landscape offers immense opportunity, India’s cultural richness, evolving aspirations, and openness to new ideas create a fertile ground for meaningful, context-driven work. For us, the approach has been to stay grounded in our values, take on projects that align with our intent as much as possible, and focus on building trust through clarity, consistency, and collaboration. Over time, this helps create space for more thoughtful conversations and allows us to gradually shape the kind of work we want to be known for.
Q8. How do you approach sustainability and eco-friendly practices in your designs, particularly considering India’s traditional wisdom and contemporary environmental challenges?
Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. : We approach sustainability as an inherent part of design rather than an added layer, drawing from India’s traditional wisdom, passive cooling, climate-responsive planning, and the use of local materials, and reinterpreting it for contemporary needs. At the same time, we stay mindful of present-day challenges by choosing durable, locally sourced materials, reducing waste, and designing spaces that are efficient and long-lasting. That said, we also recognise that not every project offers the luxury to fully adhere to these principles, so our effort is to integrate them as meaningfully as the project allows.
Q9. What’s your most exciting recent design or art discovery that’s influencing your current thinking?
Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. : Lately, we’ve been drawn to a quieter shift in design, where the focus is moving away from statement-making towards restraint, material honesty, and spaces that age gracefully. Discovering the work of architects like Bijoy Jain has been particularly influential in this regard; the way his practice engages deeply with craft, climate, and context feels both rooted and timeless. There’s also growing interest in contemporary Indian art and material explorations, especially among artists who work with raw, tactile media that celebrate imperfection and process. This has been shaping how we think about textures, finishes, and the sensory quality of spaces—less about perfection, and more about authenticity and depth. It’s subtly influencing our approach, pushing us to design spaces that feel calmer, more grounded, and enduring rather than overtly expressive.
Osaka | Image Credit: Fellow Yellow
Q10. How do you build visibility and reach out to potential clients – what platforms and strategies have worked best for you?
Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. : For us, visibility has been a gradual outcome of consistent work rather than a single strategy. A large part of our reach comes from word of mouth; clients and collaborators who resonate with our approach often become our strongest advocates. At the same time, platforms like Instagram have been effective in sharing our work and process, allowing us to connect with a wider audience in a more visual and immediate way.
We’ve also found value in publishing our projects on design platforms and engaging with the broader design community through forums such as the Indian Institute of Interior Designers (IIID). Participating in events, exhibitions, and industry interactions has helped build more meaningful, long-term connections.
Telusa | Image Credit: Fellow Yellow
Overall, the focus has been on presenting our work honestly and consistently, rather than actively chasing visibility. Over time, that clarity attracts the kind of projects and clients we want to work with.
Q11. Based on your experience, what are the crucial dos and don’ts for young designers trying to establish themselves in India, and which professional forums or communities would you recommend they join?
Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. : It’s important to build a strong foundation in both design thinking and execution. Spending time on site, understanding materials, and learning from craftsmen can be just as valuable as studio work. Developing an authentic point of view matters more than following trends, as clarity and honesty in your work will set you apart over time. Equally, communication and professionalism, being able to clearly convey ideas, manage expectations, and respect timelines, play a crucial role in building trust. On the flip side, avoid rushing growth or taking on projects that don’t align with your values just to build a portfolio, and don’t overlook the business side of practice, which is essential for sustaining a studio. Engaging with professional communities such as the Indian Institute of Interior Designers (IIID) and the Council of Architecture (COA), as well as smaller peer networks and forums, can offer meaningful exposure, learning, and a sense of belonging within the industry.
Q12. As you look ahead, what kind of projects or directions would you like to explore?
Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. : As we look ahead, we’re keen to take on projects that allow for deeper engagement, where design is not just about creating a finished space, but about shaping experiences over time.
We’re particularly drawn to timeless work. Spaces that are built to endure, both physically and emotionally, and remain relevant across generations. This means moving beyond trends and focusing on materiality, proportion, and a quiet sense of permanence that ages gracefully.
Q13. For aspiring designers looking to make their mark in India’s design landscape, what wisdom would you share from your journey?
Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu S. : Making your mark in India’s design landscape is less about chasing visibility and more about building clarity in what you stand for.
Focus on understanding people as much as you understand design. Context, culture, and the way spaces are actually lived in matter deeply here. The more you observe and listen, the more meaningful your work becomes.
At the same time, be patient with the process. Good work takes time to evolve, and not every project needs to be a statement. Consistency, integrity, and attention to detail will take you much further than momentary recognition.
It’s also important to find your own way of working. Don’t rush to imitate trends or styles; develop a point of view that feels honest to you. Over time, that authenticity becomes your strongest identity.
And finally, remember that design is a collaborative field. The relationships you build with clients, collaborators, and your team shape your journey just as much as the work itself. Stay open, stay curious, and let your work grow with you.
Cover Image: Telusa | Image Credit: Fellow Yellow
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