In today’s design world, furniture is no longer just for sitting or storing things. It is about feeling, memory, and how people live with objects day after day. This idea sits at the heart of Intent Made, a studio founded by Swetha Vegesana.
Intent Made comes from an architectural way of thinking. Every object connects to space, context, and the people who use it. Swetha’s Master’s in Design and Make at the AA School of Architecture in London shaped this view. There, she worked with ARUP and explored materials in new ways. She used 3D scanning and robotic milling on tree forks—parts of trees often ignored. This taught her to see value in overlooked things.
Back in India, Swetha saw a gap in the luxury furniture market. It did not connect well with craft. So, Intent Made was born. It blends architectural ideas, material play, and Indian craftsmanship. The result feels rooted in tradition yet fresh and modern.
At its core, the studio sees furniture as more than tools. Each piece shapes how we experience a room and interact with it over time. Swetha’s work balances calm restraint with bold sculpture. It focuses on details such as joinery, finishes, and a strong structure.
Working in India added depth. Diverse materials and skilled artisans brought richer touch and nuance. Nature inspires her, too, along with crafts like marquetry, brass hammering, and carving. These mix to create a new design language.
In this interview, Swetha shares her creative process, key projects like Crafted Alchemy and An Escapade with Nature, collaborations with artisans, challenges in India’s design scene, and advice for young makers. Her story shows how thoughtful work finds its place.
As part of Abir Pothi’s DTalks series, Swetha Vegesana opens up about her creative process, projects and design philosophy.
Question. How did your architectural training and early material experiments—particularly during your time at the AA and with ARUP—influence the founding vision of Intent Made and its approach to rethinking luxury furniture in India?
Swetha Vegesana: Intent Made comes from an architectural way of thinking where every object is understood in relation to space, context, and the people who inhabit it.
A lot of this began to take shape during my Master’s in Design and Make at the AA School of Architecture in London, alongside collaborations with ARUP. During that time, I was exploring materials in quite unconventional ways, like working with tree forks through 3D scanning and robotic milling. That phase really changed how I understood materials, especially in recognising value in things that are usually overlooked.
Image Credit: Intent Made
When I came back to India, I felt there was a gap in how luxury furniture engaged with craft. Intent Made grew from that, bringing together architectural thinking, material exploration, and Indian craftsmanship in a way that feels both rooted and contemporary.
At its core, the practice looks at furniture as more than just functional objects. Each piece is really about how a space is experienced and how people interact with it over time.
Question. How would you describe your signature design aesthetic, and how has it evolved while working in India?
Swetha Vegesana: I think the work has always been about balancing restraint with expression. There is a sculptural quality to it, but it is always grounded in detail, especially in joinery, finishing, and structure.
Working in India has added significant depth to this approach. Being surrounded by diverse materials and skilled artisans has allowed for a much richer exploration of tactility and nuance.
Over time, the work has also become more layered. There is now a stronger connection to memory and cultural context, and a shift from creating pieces that are immediately striking to ones that reveal themselves more gradually over time.
Question. What influences and inspires your current work? Could you share some movements, designers, or elements of Indian culture that have shaped your practice?
Swetha Vegesana: Nature is a constant influence, especially in the way organic systems intuitively resolve structure and form.
At the same time, Indian craftsmanship plays a very important role. Techniques like marquetry, brass hammering, and carving are not just references for me, but ways of thinking and making.
The work really sits at the intersection of these two, where natural systems and traditional knowledge come together to shape a contemporary design language.
Question. Could you walk us through your creative process? How do you move from initial concept to final execution?
Swetha Vegesana: The process is quite intuitive and very material-led. It usually begins with a structural idea or, sometimes, just curiosity about a material.
From there, it moves into sketching and digital exploration to understand how the idea behaves across scales. Prototyping is a big part of it. Since we work in a design-build model, there is a constant engagement with the material, and the design continues to evolve during execution.
Image Credit: Intent Made
Often, the most interesting outcomes come from this stage, where the material itself begins to guide decisions. That is what allows the final piece to feel both resolved and responsive.
Question. 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?
Swetha Vegesana: Collaboration is really central to the practice. Artisans bring a depth of knowledge that you simply cannot achieve through drawings or digital tools.
It becomes a dialogue between design intent and material intuition, and some of the most meaningful details emerge through this exchange.
These collaborations also create a sense of shared authorship, where each piece carries both the conceptual clarity and the imprint of the maker.
Question. 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?
Swetha Vegesana: Early explorations in biomimicry and robotic fabrication were definitely a turning point. They helped shape the studio’s direction and the kinds of questions we continue to explore.
More recent collections like Crafted Alchemy and An Escapade with Nature feel like a stronger coming together of material, craft, and concept.
Image Credit: Intent Made
An Escapade with Nature draws on organic structures such as tree forks and fox-nut leaves, exploring their balance of delicacy and strength. Crafted Alchemy engages deeply with traditional techniques like marquetry and brass work, using them as integral to the structure rather than just surface detail.
Question. 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?
Swetha Vegesana: One of the key challenges has been shifting perceptions of craft. It is often seen as decorative, whereas I see it as something more structural and conceptual.
At the same time, India offers immense opportunities through its diversity of materials and the skill of its artisans. There is also space to build more awareness around process-driven work in a market that often prioritises speed.
It has been about staying clear in intent and focusing on experimentation and material understanding rather than trends.
Question. How do you approach sustainability and eco-friendly practices in your designs, particularly considering India’s traditional wisdom and contemporary environmental challenges?
Swetha Vegesana: Sustainability begins with longevity. The idea is to create pieces that last, both physically and in how they are experienced over time.
Traditional practices in India already reflect a mindful use of materials. Working closely with artisans helps minimise waste and allows for more informed material choices.
Image Credit: Intent Made
My earlier explorations with tree forks still influence how I understand material value, so sustainability is not an added layer; it is part of the process itself.
Question. What’s your most exciting recent design or art discovery that’s influencing your current thinking?
Swetha Vegesana: I try to regularly attend art and design fairs and galleries across the world, whether it’s Salone del Mobile or Art Basel, and that exposure has been incredibly influential. What stands out is not just the diversity of work, but how materials are being explored and reinterpreted, and how objects are evolving beyond pure function.
There’s a clear shift towards pieces that carry stronger narratives, where material choice, process, and intent play as important a role as form. These global platforms serve as a kind of study of how design is evolving: how products are used, how they interact with people, and how they take on meaning over time.
At the same time, it consistently reinforces a thought I come back to: India has an extraordinary depth of craftsmanship and material knowledge, and I’d really like to see more of that represented on a global stage. The opportunity lies in presenting it in a way that feels both rooted and contemporary, so it can sit confidently within the international design conversation.
Question. How do you build visibility and reach out to potential clients? What platforms and strategies have worked best for you?
Swetha Vegesana: For us, visibility starts with the product itself. In a category like furniture, where people live with what you create every day, quality isn’t just important, it’s everything. We’ve always believed that if the design, materials, and craftsmanship are truly exceptional, the product speaks for itself. That naturally leads to word of mouth, which has been our most powerful and authentic form of branding. When a client experiences something well-made and thoughtfully designed, they become your strongest advocate.
Rather than relying heavily on aggressive marketing, we’ve focused on building a body of work that reflects consistency and integrity. Over time, this has helped us attract clients who value longevity, detail, and craftsmanship.
In terms of outreach, participating in design exhibitions and shows across different cities has been incredibly effective for us. These platforms allow people to experience our work in person, to see the finishes, understand the scale, and engage with the design up close. That tactile connection is something digital platforms can’t fully replicate, especially in furniture. It also opens up conversations with a wider audience, including architects, interior designers, and end clients from different regions.
Image Credit: Intent Made
While we do maintain a presence on platforms like Instagram, we see it more as a way to document and share our journey rather than as the primary driver of growth. Ultimately, our approach has been to let the work lead and to create opportunities, through exhibitions and real-world interactions, where people can experience that work firsthand.
Question. 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?
Swetha Vegesana: Developing a clear point of view is essential. It is important to engage deeply with materials and processes rather than just following trends.
Taking the time to understand adds depth and authenticity to the work. Being part of design communities and collaborative platforms can also be valuable, especially those that encourage exchange and dialogue.
Question. As you look ahead, what kind of projects or directions would you like to explore?
Swetha Vegesana: There is a strong interest in continuing material explorations, especially with glass and its structural possibilities.
The studio is also looking to work across different scales, from collectable pieces to larger spatial interventions, while maintaining the same level of detail and intent. Reinterpreting traditional crafts within contemporary contexts will continue to guide the work.
Question. For aspiring designers looking to make their mark in India’s design landscape, what wisdom would you share from your journey?
Swetha Vegesana: Be patient with the process. Meaningful work takes time to develop.
Stay curious, keep experimenting, and remain open to learning from both new methods and traditional knowledge.
Clarity of intent is what sustains a practice. Honest and thoughtful work will always find its place.
Cover Image Credit: Intent Made
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