“It’s in those moments of creativity where I often discover new ideas”: In conversation with Aadesh Sanjay Ramraje
“Growing up, I often visited exhibitions with my father, which introduced me to the idea of creating and showcasing art.”, says Aadesh Sanjay Ramraje, a talented communication designer from Mumbai specializing in illustration and 2D animation. Currently working as a Visual Designer at Zepto and having completed his graduation from NID Haryana, Aadesh’s journey is one that brims with his family’s support and his enthusiasm for visual storytelling.
Though I didn't win many drawing competitions in school, my enthusiasm for expressing ideas visually never wavered.
A pivotal moment in his creative pursuits was when Aadesh’s mentor Mr. Swapnil Kadam introduced him to the art of taking inspiration instead of merely replicating the works of great artists like M.F. Hussain.
Aadesh’s personal work
Although Ramraje was surrounded by cartoons as a child, his first real understanding of the animation process came in 8th grade when he saw a behind-the-scenes video of Dragon Ball Z. "I didn’t realize until then that animation was created frame by frame—it was such a detailed and laborious process, but also fascinating," he recalls.
I realized that when it comes to art, there’s nothing to lose. At worst, you waste some paper, canvas, and a bit of electricity, but that’s all part of the process.
Another major turning point in his creative journey came during his time at the National Institute of Design (NID) in Haryana, where he began to develop his unique artistic voice. "NID taught me how to apply objectivity to my art, moving from merely imitating what I saw to truly creating something of my own," Aadesh reflects. His time at NID pushed him to explore digital art and new techniques.
Drawn by the work of Master Kim Jung Gi, Mr. Anand Radhakrishnan, and many others Aadesh made drawing a daily habit, and even started carrying a sketchbook everywhere. Influenced by his batch mates who approached their work with unique insights from their upbringing and environment, Aadesh also shifted his perspective and began embracing his cultural identity.
Aadesh’s personal work
During the pandemic; working on a small idea, Aadesh completed his first frame-by-frame animation using 240 hand-drawn frames, which resulted in a 23-second piece. The process taught him the discipline and patience required for animation. "Animating is a lot like drawing realistic portraits—both require immense patience and daily effort. You can’t expect results overnight," he shares.
Any animator will agree that ideating an animation is much more exciting than the actual process of animating—this was true for me as well. I spent a lot of time on the concept, but when I found myself having to draw hundreds of frames, I realized how demanding the process was.
Soon he started animating everyday scenes from real life, finding ways to express stories through simple frames. He began exploring different software’s, and techniques like onion skinning, duplicating frames, and tweaking them slightly to help his process. These simple features made the process more manageable and allowed him to push through and keep animating.
Aadesh’s time at NID played a significant role in shaping his career, not just in terms of skills but also in perspective. Surrounded by talented peers from across India, he learned to appreciate diverse perspectives and storytelling techniques.
"Every person’s background shaped their view of the world, and their art reflected that. It helped me realize how powerful personal and cultural stories can be in creating impactful work,"
Aadesh’s journey at NID wasn’t without its challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted in-person learning, but he used the isolation to his advantage by teaching himself digital animation.
Collaborating with a peer, Aritra Sen, on a comic book project during the lockdown marked a turning point for him. "That project turned into a lifelong friendship. We learned so much from each other and continued collaborating on several projects," Aadesh shares.
The influence of faculty members such as Mr. Basim Abu NP and Mr. Mohit Shelare also played a key role in Ramraje’s growth. "Basim sir’s relaxed approach to After Effects taught me to keep a childlike curiosity in my work, while Mohit sir, who shared my Marathi roots, deeply connected with me on a cultural level," he says. These relationships helped shape his mindset towards balancing professionalism with creativity.
For Ramraje, the quest to develop a unique illustration style has been an evolving journey. While initially trying to emulate the styles of other artists, he soon realized that the key to artistic satisfaction lay in drawing what he enjoyed. "I stopped chasing a particular style and started focusing on what I loved to draw. Over time, my style naturally emerged," he shares.
Understanding the basics of drawing is crucial because only then can you stylize it with intent.
One of his most exciting personal projects has been his animation and character design of Ravan. "Ravan has always fascinated me. When I animated him, I wasn’t just thinking about his visual appeal but also how to convey his character’s depth and complexity," says Ramraje. By combining spontaneous line work with loose colors, and syncing the animation with dramatic music, he created a piece that resonated with his audience. "It wasn’t just about animation—it was about creating an impactful moment," he adds.
Another one of his fun shorts includes, Vadapav. “The idea for this animation first came to me when I was on a train, heading back home after finishing my first semester at NID. I was thinking about all the food I’d eat when I got back to Mumbai, and of course, Vadapav was at the top of the list.” He says. While casually sketching a character eating a vadapav he developed the idea and created the animation.
He composited all the frames in Photoshop and compiled the final animation in After Effects. He began testing different songs for it and stumbled on ‘Hai Rama’ by Hariharan and Swarnalatha, The opening of the song synced perfectly with the animation, adding a kind of playful, almost lustful, vibe to the whole thing.
I know most animators pre-plan their work and choreograph it to fit the music, but I’ve always had this weird habit of avoiding technicalities and just going with the flow. It might seem foolish, but it works for me.
And within days of posting the piece went viral and racked up millions of views, along with a bunch of new followers. “Suddenly, I was being discovered by people, including some I really admire. It still amazes me that these random, crazy ideas can resonate with so many people.” Aadesh adds.
Aadesh Ramraje has also collaborated with names like T-Series and Post Office Studio.
Alongside Aritra Sen and Devesh Anand, Aadesh was working on animated lyrical music videos for T-Series. Ramraje shares, “We had to create an animation for ‘Aise Kaise’ by Jubin Nautiyal overnight. It was a rush, but the positive reception made it worthwhile.” These T-Series projects taught him invaluable lessons in teamwork, multitasking, and managing tight deadlines without compromising creativity.
Project for TSeries in collaboration with Aadesh, Aritra Sen and Devesh Anand
Ramraje’s work with Post Office Studio for NDTV Profit’s relaunch, where he created currency note-like effects and custom patterns reflecting capital and work-life themes. This experience deepened his understanding of collaborative standards and creative practices.
Currently, as a Visual Designer at Zepto, he is responsible for creating visual assets and campaigns for the app. His work has spanned event campaigns such as Father’s Day and Ganesh Chaturthi, where he has had to balance creativity with business objectives. "At Zepto, I’ve learned how to create designs that not only stand out but also resonate with a large audience. It’s all about understanding the competitive landscape and aligning creativity with business goals," Ramraje explains.
Looking to the future, Aadesh Ramraje has set his sights on continuing to push the boundaries of animation, both in personal and professional projects. "I want to create more personal animations and develop new techniques. The goal is to stay adaptable, gather diverse experiences, and continue evolving as an artist," he says.
While he continuous to explore his creativity, he wishes to build a commercial demand for his personal work and continue collaborating with friends - Aritra Sen and Devesh Anand on short films.
It’s in those moments of unrestrained creativity, like when I’m drawing something spontaneous on my iPad, where I often discover new ideas or styles. I allow myself to fail and try again, which keeps me from getting stuck in a single creative lane.
“Ultimately, the key is to never stop learning. Whether it's exploring new animation techniques, experimenting with new software, or collaborating with peers, I find that curiosity and a willingness to adapt are the biggest drivers of my growth.” Aadesh says.
Aadesh’s favorite Artists & Designers
I've been greatly inspired by some incredible Indian artists and designers, like Siddhartha Tripathi, Somnath Pal, Upamanyu Bhattacharyya, Debjyoti Saha, Gaurav Wakankar, Rajiv Eipe, Vishnu M Nair, Tarun Lak, Chedil Marak, Rohan Bhatia, Yamini Sujan, Sailesh Gopalan, Lavanya Naidu, and many more!
Globally, artists like Veronica Ruffato, Lois Van Baarle, and Karl Kopinski have also had a big impact on me. These are just a few of the names that come to mind right now.
Aadesh’s Hot Take on GenAI
My perspective on emerging technologies like Generative AI and Machine Learning is that they can serve as valuable tools to enhance and streamline the creative process. While these technologies offer exciting possibilities and efficiencies, I believe that they should complement rather than replace human creativity.
For me, these tools are about refining and elevating my art, not about letting machines take over the creative process. The essence of animation lies in the unique human touch and the personal expression of ideas, and I think it's crucial to maintain that authentic connection to the work. As long as generative AI is used to support and enhance rather than replace traditional creative efforts, I see it as a positive addition to the field.
On that note we come to end of this feature with Aadesh Ramraje. We wish him all the very best for the future and hope to catch him with fresh ideas and exciting projects soon! Until then, you can stay updated with his work on the channels below:
Aadesh Sanjay Ramraje
