Umber Furniture Co. is the brainchild of two best friends turned design partners – Niti Singhal and Nandakumar S S. Their cross-pollination of culture and personalities manifests in every piece, reflecting their shared vision to craft furniture that tells a story, celebrates the richness of Indian culture, and inspires innovation.
Niti is a storyteller at heart, passionate about weaving narratives through design. For her, furniture isn’t just about function – it’s about creating pieces that tap into emotional quotient and bring beauty into everyday life. Juggling between studio, sites and workshop with a measuring tape in one hand and tracing paper rolls in the other, her approach is deeply user-centric, always seeking that perfect balance between contemporary needs and cultural connections in her design expressions. After graduating from the Faculty of Design at CEPT University, Niti worked on various interior and furniture consultancy projects. Still, furniture design has always been her true love, eventually leading her to create Umber.
Nandu is a maker and thinker with a curious mind and meticulous attention to detail. He thrives on planning and organisational skills, ensuring every element is perfected down to the last nail. Whether engrossed in sketching or working hands-on with the team through countless iterations, Nandu finds joy in his little black sketchbook and workshop. A graduate from the Faculty of Design at CEPT University, he gained valuable experience with renowned studios in Germany, Dubai, and India before co-founding Umber.
Together, they’ve created a design studio and production house on an obsessive quest for meaningful, timeless designs. Inspired by intuition and driven by intention, Umber’s creations are a confluence of comfort and luxury where the wisdom of Indian traditions unites with the elegance of modernism. Each piece is masterfully crafted with a superior quality finish and precision, an ode to local materials and craftsmanship that aspires to become modern heirlooms carrying meaning and memories across generations.
Q. How would you describe your signature design aesthetic, and how has it evolved while working in India?
Niti and Nandu: Our design aesthetic is a harmonious blend of the warmth of Indian traditions and the sophistication of modernism. With this vision in mind, our design process is ever-evolving— constantly drawing from the wisdom of the past while embracing the opportunities of the present and future.
Q. What influences and inspires your current work? Could you share some movements, designers, or elements of Indian culture that have shaped your practice?
Niti and Nandu: Whether driven by intuition or intention, our design sensibilities and school of thought are deeply rooted in our diverse cultural backgrounds and academic exposure. Our most recent collection, which also served as our launch collection, was a deeply personal reflection of ‘Nostalgia.’ In the process, we borrowed from the stories we grew up listening to, the elements and furniture that shaped our childhoods, and the lives and surroundings we observed along the way.
Q. Could you walk us through your creative process? How do you move from initial concept to final execution?
Niti and Nandu: It all unfolds over multiple cups of chai, whether at the studio or the workshop. A story, a detail, a purpose or a material expression could trigger the design concept, forming clouds of ideas and thoughts at Umber. These clouds gather, pouring out sketches and 3D explorations, followed by extensive R&D for detailing and prototyping. The journey to the final product, no matter the scale, is a long one—like the first ray of sunlight that follows the rain, it involves careful screening and fine-tuning before reaching its full form.
Q. 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?
Niti and Nandu: We work with generations of artisans whose time-honoured skills are essential in bringing our designs to life. Their expertise and experience transform our ideas from paper to reality. Our process goes beyond the simple divide of design and production; it’s a nuanced journey that embraces a spectrum of possibilities. It involves open-minded discussions, challenging norms, experimenting, and constantly learning and unlearning from each other. This collaborative approach is what enables us to push creative boundaries and achieve the exceptional quality we strive for in every piece.
Q. 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?
Niti and Nandu: Our first furniture design collaboration for a residential project was a pivotal moment in our journey. Prior to that, we were focused on our individual projects and career paths. However, the process and outcome of that project reignited the college canteen conversations about starting a furniture design studio and workshop together someday. It gave us the courage and confidence to take the leap, and thus, Umber was born. In just a year, it has become a project we are incredibly proud of, and it continues to grow into something truly special.
Q. 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?
Niti and Nandu: In recent years, we have seen a shift, with growing appreciation for Indian products and homegrown brands in our own country. As we take pride and see value in what we have, it provides immense opportunities for Indian designers to express their voice. The challenge, however, is tapping the right market with your designs, which is true vice-versa also, understanding its needs to make the product market fit.
Q. How do you approach sustainability and eco-friendly practices in your designs, particularly considering India’s traditional wisdom and contemporary environmental challenges?
Niti and Nandu: At Umber, we have intentionally created an ecosystem that allows us to contribute positively to the environment :
1. Design: In this era of disposable trends, we design, detail and make furniture that is timeless and durable.
2. Material: We primarily use reclaimed teak wood. Seasoned over the years, it has its own beauty and vice, and we cherish both.
3. Team: We collaborate closely with local artisans, promoting socio-cultural sustainability through meaningful partnerships.
4. Production: Our workshop follows a waste management system, ensuring that no materials go to waste; every piece is carefully sorted and repurposed.
Q. What’s your most exciting recent design or art discovery that’s influencing your current thinking?
Niti and Nandu: Designer Manu Bano’s work has left a lasting impression on us, creating exceptional objects and furniture in metal with a distinct approach, all while collaborating closely with Mexican artisans.
Q. How do you build visibility and reach out to potential clients – what platforms and strategies have worked best for you?
Niti and Nandu: We believe it is important to learn to walk before running. Building a strong foundation with internal structure and system in place before stepping out in the market helped us gain trust and deliver the committed quality on time to our clients. This organically helped us build our network, which is growing with every project.
Q. From your experience, what are the crucial dos and don’ts for young designers trying to establish themselves in India, and what professional forums or communities would you recommend they join?
Niti and Nandu: Defining your core values and ethics as a professional and being aware of industry standards based on your skills and experience is essential. It helps you distinguish between opportunities and exploitation, allowing you to make choices with clarity and commitment.
Q. As you look ahead, what kind of projects or directions would you like to explore?
Niti and Nandu: While experimenting with the material palette that defines our strength, we wish to expand our horizons and weave India’s rich tapestry of diverse materials, crafts, and techniques – be it stone, textiles, metal and beyond – into our designs creating unique, meaningful designs rooted in India but with a global vision.
Q. For aspiring designers looking to make their mark in India’s design landscape, what wisdom would you share from your journey?
Niti and Nandu: Keep creating with honest hearts and open minds, remembering that unlearning can be just as valuable as learning.
Samvad. Courtesy of Umber.
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