Today we’d like to introduce you to Anushka Nigam.
Hi Anushka, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Honestly, it’s wild to think about how lost I was nine years ago. I didn’t even know creative careers were a thing. I was deep into studying for engineering entrance exams, and in my free time, I’d mess around with Adobe software—mostly just creating anime characters for fun. I poured hours into vector illustrations, experimenting with Indian art forms digitally.
Growing up in an Asian household, the career options were pretty straightforward—Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer. But I’ve never been someone who settles for average. I’ve always wanted to stand out, to express myself and “to be the best version of me.” That mindset pushed me to explore something completely different.
When I moved to the U.S., I was the first in my family to study overseas. No one really prepared me for what that meant. I still remember assembling my first bed, the DIY culture, and realizing that work-life balance wasn’t just a phrase—it was something I had to figure out on my own. But I loved it. I made amazing friends to create memories, worked day and night on projects, and even held a part-time job as a research assistant.
SCAD was a turning point. where I got to work on projects, collaborating with students from all kinds of disciplines—interiors, industrial design, illustration, architecture. It taught me how branding can live and breathe across different mediums. And I got to work with some incredible brands: Nike, Amazon, Google, Deloitte, Adobe, Lexus, Fox Theater, GA Power. Some of those projects are live now—like Peregrin (a rooftop bar in savannah), Doki-Doki (an ice-creamery logo I created), and Lab560 (an AI platform). It’s surreal.
Now, I’m a Brand Designer at Nike, working with the Converse team at their Boston Headquarters. “Dreams do come true.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, definitely not smooth. Life has this way of being both beautiful and brutal at the same time. I grew up in a joint family wrapped in love and tradition. But independence in America meant learning to do everything alone—You leave the house messy, you come back to the same mess. No one’s there to clean up after you. Learning to cook for one and finding strength in solitude. It’s all on you.
I had to learn how to be strong—how to make new friends, how to build a support system from scratch. And I’m so lucky I found that. I have friends who cook for me when I’m too tired, who make me laugh when I’m down, and a partner who brings me peace in the middle of chaos. These are the ones who remind me: you’re not alone.
It sounds simple, but it’s shaped everything for me : “Never say no to an opportunity.” Even if it feels out of reach, even if it scares you—just go for it. You never know what’s waiting on the other side.
Back in college, I made it a point to take on internships every single quarter. I didn’t wait for the “perfect” time or project—I just said yes. Whether it was working with clients or jumping into live briefs that felt way out of my comfort zone, I kept showing up. And honestly, that’s how my portfolio grew. Not just in size, but in depth.
Some projects went live, some didn’t. But every single one taught me something—how to communicate with clients, how to pivot when things change, how to trust my instincts. Saying yes opened doors I didn’t even know existed.
It wasn’t always easy. Sometimes I was juggling three deadlines and still saying yes to one more. But looking back, those moments built the foundation for everything I’m doing now. So yeah, if there’s one thing I always tell people—it’s that. Say yes. Even if it’s messy. Even if you’re scared. Just say yes.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
“I never thought of art as a career opportunity.” I started out thinking I’d be an engineer. Now, I’m a designer who lives and breathes branding. I love everything about it—choosing colors, crafting layouts, telling stories through visuals. Whether it’s a logo or a full-blown campaign, I’m all in.
I’ve been in the industry for nine years now. My first gig was as a design intern at a printing firm back in 2017. Fast forward to today, I’m working with Nike. But getting here wasn’t easy. I’ve had to explain my job more times than I can count—because people still think design is just about social media posts or billboards. It’s not. It’s strategy, psychology, storytelling.
I’m proud of my awards—more than two dozen, including 13 American Advertising Federation Awards. That was the beginning of something big for me. Not because of the trophies, but because people started recognizing my work. They’d come up to me, talk about my projects, and tell me they felt inspired. That’s what I live for.
What sets me apart? I speak my truth. If I don’t believe in a design direction, I say so. I don’t just give feedback—I show alternatives, mockups, real visuals. I want clients to see what I’m talking about, not just hear it.
Also, I did my thesis on AI and Blockchain, so I’ve got a pretty good sense of where tech is headed. And no—I don’t think AI is taking over our jobs anytime soon. Technology is a tool, not a threat. But that’s a conversation for another day.
P.S. I sometimes sound like a motivational speaker when I talk about all this.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My parents– in bold, capital letters, and underlined. They’ve been everything—my mentors, my cheerleaders, my biggest supporters. They didn’t know anything about the creative field, but they trusted me. They remind me every day how proud they are, and I carry that pride like armor. That trust is why I push myself every day.
I’ve always found that one professor who treated me like their own—guiding me, cheering me on, lifting me up. And my friends? They’re the kind who are happier for my wins than myself. That kind of love is rare. They’ve taught me that if something didn’t work out, it’s because something better is coming.
My partner keeps me grounded, he’s my mirror and my muse. He holds me accountable, pushes me to grow, and reminds me I’m doing great and perfect—even on the days I do nothing but binge-watch my favorite shows.
I’ve learned that you don’t need a crowd to succeed. You just need the right people. As Taylor Swift said: “Your time is expensive—make sure you spend it on the right people.” I live by that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anushkanigam.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art_on_rush/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anushkanigam/
