Tell us about your project. What inspired the idea?

During the first year of my MFA Illustration as Visual Essay program, I worked on a short comic project exploring how my native language Marathi uses a lot of imagery relating to food to communicate a wide range of emotions. The more I shared and discussed this project with my friends and peers, [the more] I realized that this was a common trait in cultures with a history of migration and colonization, where being emotional and vulnerable could be perceived as a sign of weakness. These conversations also made me realize how we form specific associations with food and nourishment while growing up, which follow us into adulthood and influence our relationships. When I was feeling particularly disconnected from the world during the pandemic, I decided to reach out to people in NYC's food industry whom I looked up to, and I illustrated those conversations to create this graphic novel.

What most surprised you once you started working on the project?

I was blown away by how New York can act like a small town despite having such a large population. All the people I spoke to seemed to know each other, or their lives happened to be connected in unexpected ways. It was also wonderful to see people who occupy entirely different worlds meet each other for the first time and geek out about food, ingredients, and suppliers.

What was a highlight of living and studying in New York City?

It was incredible to access more resources and experiences than I could have dreamt up.

What is something you learned at SVA that you'll always take with you?

Telling a good story is not just about the content, but also about how you communicate it.

Was there a teacher or course that was essential for you?

I am eternally grateful to my thesis professor, my thesis advisor and all the incredibly kind illustrators who offered to look at my work and gave me feedback on my project while I was in the process of working on it. I also think the location drawing course during the first year continues to inspire me even today.

What was your favorite piece of advice that a teacher or student shared with you?

When quoting a price for a freelance project, don't feel pressured to come up with a number on the spot. Ask for some time, break down the amount of effort and time you will be expending on the project, and when you present the quote to your client, explain your process to them with examples. This will help the client understand where you are coming from, respect you as a professional, and feel comfortable knowing what they can expect from you.

What advice do you have for next year's students going through your program?

Before starting the bulk of your thesis project, it can be helpful to ask yourself why you are working on this project and what you intend to find out [or] learn in the process. Or what are the questions you have that you hope this project can answer for you? Boil it down to one or two short sentences. If you feel overwhelmed, distracted or lost midway through your project, those questions can help anchor you back to your concept and intentions and organize your project.

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