Huzefa Rangwala and Jasem Pirani are the co-founders of MuseMart, a design-led product label that grew out of their curiosity to create objects with presence, wit, and soul, bringing together their diverse backgrounds in architecture and the creative field — with Jasem studying Fine Arts at the Savannah College of Art and Design, while Huzefa specialised in Design and Digital Manufacturing at Georgia Tech’s College of Architecture.
MuseMart was born from an itch to explore scale differently through toys, collectibles, home décor, and objects that carry stories, starting in 2015 as small, offbeat pieces they made for themselves that turned into a platform for play and experimentation, serving as an extension of how they see the world: with detail, humour, and care. MuseMART redefines design by crafting products that tell meaningful stories. Their vision is to break free from the mundane, where design knows no bounds, creating a world where each piece of art has a unique tale to tell, believing that design is an art form and making sure every piece captivates not just your eyes but your imagination too, aiming to unleash your inner creativity, challenge traditions, and create products that are as unique as you. At MuseMART, they’re on a mission to create products that reflect their wild passion for design, exploring uncharted territories, playing with materials, and embracing the unexpected, with their commitment to craftsmanship and creativity knowing no limits as they seek to explore contemporary design with a sprinkle of whimsy and tickle your imagination.
As part of an engaging conversation featured in DTalks, Huzefa Rangwala and Jasem Pirani open up about their design journey
Q. How would you describe your signature design aesthetic, and how has it evolved while working in India?
Huzefa and Jasem : We tend to move between the tactile and the whimsical. Our pieces often start with a narrative or an emotion like nostalgia, mischief, a memory from childhood, and then we try to give it shape with materials that feel honest. The aesthetic is part modern, part handmade, always a little idiosyncratic. Being based in India has helped us embrace imperfection; not as a flaw, but as character. You see it in our finishes, in how the pieces feel when you touch them. There’s a looseness that we’ve grown to love.
Katchall Bookshelf. Image Courtesy: MuseMart
Q. What influences and inspires your current work? Could you share some movements, designers, or elements of Indian culture that have shaped your practice?
Huzefa and Jasem : A lot of what inspires us comes from outside the world of design. We collect objects, follow artists, obsess over materials. That said, we’ve always admired the work of Charles and Ray Eames, not just for their furniture, but their curiosity. In India, we’ve learnt the most from craftspeople. The way they solve problems with their hands, the way they read material, it’s incredibly intuitive. We keep going back to that.
Smith TV Console. Image Courtesy: MuseMart
Q. Could you walk us through your creative process? How do you move from initial concept to final execution?
Huzefa and Jasem : It usually starts with a visual or a feeling. Sometimes it’s a photograph. Sometimes it’s a childhood object. From there, it’s quite iterative. We sketch, build models, test materials. There’s a lot of back and forth, especially when we’re working with collaborators. It’s less about achieving a ‘perfect’ product and more about staying true to the narrative we started with.
MuseTribe. Image Courtesy: MuseMart
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?
Huzefa and Jasem : Collaboration forces you to see your work differently. We love working with artisans and small-scale fabricators because they bring texture and knowledge that you can’t learn in design school. Whether it’s a toy-maker in Channapatna or a metalworker in Mumbai, collaboration allows us to listen. It also keeps the work grounded. We’re not interested in designing things in isolation. The exchange is important.
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?
Huzefa and Jasem : The market here isn’t always structured, which can be frustrating. But that also means there’s room to define your own path. Another challenge is the gap between appreciation and purchase. People love the work, but scaling sales in a price-sensitive market takes time. The opportunity, though, is that there’s space to do things differently. There isn’t a rigid template.
MuseTribe. Image Courtesy: MuseMart
Q. How do you approach sustainability and eco-friendly practices in your designs, particularly considering India’s traditional wisdom and contemporary environmental challenges?
Huzefa and Jasem : We think of sustainability as something that starts with intention. Are you making something that will last? Will someone use it, live with it, repair it? We often work with natural materials and local craftspeople; not as a checklist, but because it makes sense for the way we like to build. There’s a lot we can learn from older ways of making, where nothing was wasted and things had a second life.
Q. What’s your most exciting recent design or art discovery that’s influencing your current thinking?
Huzefa and Jasem : We saw Debashish Mukherjee’s work at the India Art Fair this year. It reminded us how powerful quiet, precise work can be. Outside that, we’re always on the lookout, whether it’s a book on type, a vintage toy, or something we stumble upon while travelling. We’re magpies like that.
Q. How do you build visibility and reach out to potential clients – what platforms and strategies have worked best for you?
Huzefa and Jasem : Word of mouth has been huge for us. Instagram helps in terms of visibility, but the real connections come from conversations, studio visits, and people engaging with our work in person.
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?
Huzefa and Jasem : Do the work. Stay curious. Ask questions. Build relationships with people who challenge you. And take time to look around you. India is full of stories and materials that haven’t been exhausted. As for forums, look at places like India Art Fair, India Design and even small, local pop-ups that allow you to test your work in the real world.
Q. As you look ahead, what kind of projects or directions would you like to explore?
Huzefa and Jasem : We would like to collaborate with more designers, newer brands to work on limited edition pieces.
Q. For aspiring designers looking to make their mark in India’s design landscape, what wisdom would you share from your journey?
Huzefa and Jasem : Find your voice, but don’t rush it. Keep making. Some things will work, others won’t. That’s part of the process. And don’t be afraid of detours, they’re often the most interesting part.
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