Groundbreakin

Dipaq
  • 5.0 (11)
  • DESIGN
  • EVERY TWO MONTHS

The Groundbreakin is a cutting-edge podcast that explores the journeys of top designers, creative entrepreneurs, and thought leaders in the design industry. Hosted by Dipaq aka Q, a Creative Director and Founder of Syqi , this podcast is your go-to source for insider insights and actionable advice from the world's top design experts. With a focus on fresh topics and engaging discussions, each episode is designed to help you stay ahead of the curve and build a successful career in the ever-evolving design landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, The Groundbreakin is your essential resource for all things design. Join us on a journey to the forefront of creativity and innovation. We are on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all the podcast listening platforms.

  1. #55 - Curiosity Becomes an AI-Proof Skill, Designing Without Inspiration : Sumit Bedi

    2 DAYS AGO

    #55 - Curiosity Becomes an AI-Proof Skill, Designing Without Inspiration : Sumit Bedi

    What does it take to stay relevant when tools change faster than job titles-and AI threatens to rewrite the rules overnight? In this wide-ranging and deeply reflective conversation, Dipaq sits down with Sumit Bedi, design leader, educator, and relentless ideator, to unpack what truly makes a designer future-ready. From his early days obsessing over school projects to leading experimentation and R&D at a global SaaS company, Sumit shares why curiosity-not tools-is the most AI-proof skill of all. He talks candidly about building ideas without chasing inspiration, why most ideas die in people’s heads, and how observation, meditation, and daily curiosity shape his creative process. Drawing from his experience across instructional design, corporate training, product design, and innovation labs, Sumit challenges the obsession with tools, templates, and hyper-specialization. We also dive into the reality of working in the age of AI-layoffs, uncertainty, identity loss-and why designers must stop being “corporate-ready” and start becoming industry-ready. From corporate hacking and brand-building to designing without internet access, this episode is a masterclass in thinking, not just making. This episode is essential viewing for designers, product thinkers, and creators navigating AI disruption—-and anyone trying to build a voice that lasts beyond the next tool update. In this episode, you’ll discover: Sumit’s journey from instructional designer to leading future-focused experimentation in product teams Why ideas are common—but execution, intent, and courage are rare How curiosity, observation, and meditation fuel better design decisions What makes a skill truly “AI-proof” Why designers should focus on finding the right problems, not just building solutions The difference between being corporate-ready vs industry-ready How personal brand is built quietly—through work, not announcements Why designers must understand how AI works, not just how to use itCONNECT: Check out our Substack: dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.art/ Email us at [q@groundbreak.in]

    53 min
  2. #54 - The Problem With India’s Designers - And No One Wants to Admit It : Narendra Ghate

    04/12/2025

    #54 - The Problem With India’s Designers - And No One Wants to Admit It : Narendra Ghate

    What do two decades building a top design consultancy and a shift to leading design at one of India's largest private banks have in common? In this honest and wide-ranging conversation, Dipaq sits down with Narendra Ghate, Head of Design at HDFC Bank. Drawing from his 25-year tenure at Tata Elxsi, where he traveled the world "selling software by doing projects", Ghate shares his evolution from mechanical engineer to a design leader who understands that a designer’s true value lies in problem-solving, not just specialised skills. He unpacks the challenging journey of building a design practice in India: the years spent convincing clients to value design beyond aesthetics, and the art of selling high-value projects by presenting a future roadmap rather than just a portfolio. Ghate argues strongly against the "hyper-specialist" mindset, advocating for designers to become holistic problem-solvers who embrace a multidisciplinary approach-even designing a studio's behaviour by dimming the lights. Finally, we explore his current mission to simplify finance in India and his vision for the country's design future: one where design thinking expands beyond the "designer" label and becomes a core ability for entrepreneurs, politicians, and business leaders. This episode is essential viewing for design students, studio owners struggling to scale, and business leaders looking to truly integrate design into their organization. In this episode, you'll discover: Narendra’s 25-year journey from mechanical engineer and "salesman" at Tata Elxsi to Head of Design at HDFC Bank.The transition from selling products to "selling a future and a roadmap" for high-ticket projects.Why the trend of becoming a "hyper specialist" is a "bunch of rubbish," and why designers must be the "family doctor" for a business's problems.How a designer can control the behaviour of 200 people in a studio simply by dimming the lights (and why it works).The "two crutches" that limit designers: blindly following a process and being reliant on a specific skill.His vision for the future: Design expanding its impact beyond the design profession itself.The biggest mission at HDFC: simplifying finance to unlock wealth across all levels of Indian society.CONNECT: Check out our Substack: dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.art/ Email us at [q@groundbreak.in]

    1h 1m
  3. #53 - The T-Shaped Skillset for Modern Design Leadership, Future of Fintech Design : Vikash Kumar

    20/11/2025

    #53 - The T-Shaped Skillset for Modern Design Leadership, Future of Fintech Design : Vikash Kumar

    In this candid conversation, Vikash Kumar (Director of Design at Pine Labs) takes us through his incredible career shift-from working on massive campaigns for brands like Vodafone to steering the entire art and brand aesthetic at Pine Labs. Vikash gives a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the advertising industry, discussing what it was like to work at an agency like Ogilvy Mumbai (which he calls one of the best cultures among agencies) , the controversial value of industry awards , and the realities of shrinking budgets in mainline advertising. He unpacks the pivotal moment he realized "passion doesn't pay your bills", leading to his move to the client side with a jump in salary , and eventually leading design at Pine Labs. As a leader, he shares his vision for the future, where designers must become generalists with T-shaped skillsets  and how he's building a 360-creative culture that embraces upskilling and future-forward thinking. This episode is a masterclass for any creative professional navigating career growth, the specialist vs. generalist debate, and how to build a career that offers both creative fulfillment and financial freedom. In this episode, we’ll discover: - Vikash's journey from animation and VFX to becoming a Creative Director at Ogilvy. - The "carrot" of advertising awards - and why they might not translate into better money or promotions. - The difference between working horizontally (across brands) in an agency versus vertically (deeply) for one brand. - How Vikash is leading the brand revamp at a major fintech company, making it look "tech and modern". - The importance of designers becoming generalists who can handle motion, video, and graphic design. - Why creative professionals must set a financial goal early in their career—and the concept of *"F-U money"*. CONNECT: Find us at [https://www.groundbreak.in/episodes] [q@groundbreak.in] dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.art/ CONNECT: Check out our Substack: dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.art/ Email us at [q@groundbreak.in]

    52 min
  4. #52 - The Design Philosophy Driving Ather | Hardware, Software, and the Golden Decade for Indian EVs : Bikash Jyoti Biswas

    14/11/2025

    #52 - The Design Philosophy Driving Ather | Hardware, Software, and the Golden Decade for Indian EVs : Bikash Jyoti Biswas

    In this conversation, Dipaq sits down with Bikash, Head of Design at Ather, whose 11-year journey is a masterclass in building a design-first EV brand from a startup to a public company. From the early days of an idea to pioneering India's two-wheeler EV space, the guest details their unique approach to innovation: challenging the status quo, designing for an integrated experience (hardware and software in sync), and betting on customer experience over market research. We dive deep into how Ather successfully fostered a deeply connected community that acts as an advocate and an essential testing ground for new products. The guest also shares the critical cultural elements - freedom with accountability and a non-hierarchical design decision-making process - that has kept the core design team together for over a decade. This episode is a must-listen for designers, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about how to create a lasting brand by placing value and experience at the core of the product. In this episode, you'll discover: - The 11-year journey of building Ather from a startup to a public company and the surprising blessing of "naivete" when challenging automotive norms. - How Ather used a "build for us" mantra to create an aspirational EV product that went mainstream. - The vertical integration model and the "story-down" approach that aligns hardware and software design. - Why engaging with customers early (and even making them spokespeople) is an Ather superpower in building community and gathering genuine feedback. - Insights on the massive potential and "golden decade" for India's EV market and why the country is poised to become a global export hub for design and tech. - The mindset every EV brand needs to be timeless: finding a unique foothold that people genuinely care about. CONNECT: Find us at [https://www.groundbreak.in] [q@groundbreak.in] dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.art/ CONNECT: Check out our Substack: dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.art/ Email us at [q@groundbreak.in]

    48 min
  5. #51 - Robin Dhanwani - On Building Parallel, Design Delusion & Finding Meaning in Chaos

    23/10/2025

    #51 - Robin Dhanwani - On Building Parallel, Design Delusion & Finding Meaning in Chaos

    Robin Dhanwani is the founder of Parallel, a product-design studio that works with startups, enterprises, and public systems to design with empathy and clarity. He talks about building a studio from scratch, selling design in India, and why the most important part of design is learning when to stop. From building Parallel to redesigning DigiLocker, Robin Dhanwani’s story is about designing with intent in a world obsessed with speed. An engineer-turned-designer, he’s spent over a decade shaping products and systems that connect craft with impact. On Groundbreakin, we talk about: – Building Parallel from scratch and staying independent – The “delusion” every founder needs to start – Designing for governments and public systems – And how to find meaning in the mess of building something real CONNECT: Find us at [https://www.groundbreak.in] [q@groundbreak.in] dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.art/ CONNECT: Check out our Substack: dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.art/ Email us at [q@groundbreak.in]

    1h 11m
  6. #50 - Why Great Brand Design Starts With ‘Why Not’, Design Behind Gojek’s Most Defining Era : Susan Theresa

    18/10/2025

    #50 - Why Great Brand Design Starts With ‘Why Not’, Design Behind Gojek’s Most Defining Era : Susan Theresa

    In this 50th episode of Groundbreakin, we sit down with Susan, a designer, artist, and brand thinker who has quietly shaped some of Asia’s most influential brands. From being an “accidental designer” at Flipkart to redefining brand identity for Gojek, Cult.fit, and now leading brand design at Jio, Susan’s story is one of curiosity, courage, and creative evolution. We dive into: - How an engineer-turned-photographer found her voice in brand design - The behind-the-scenes of Gojek’s massive rebrand, from cultural research to designing for 35+ products - What it means to guard a brand across millions of users - The Malayali creative wave shaping India’s design scene - How her art practice, SuzyQ, became both a mirror and a movement - And how AI and design are now co-creating the next frontier A deeply human conversation on creativity, leadership, and staying playful even when you’re shaping billion-dollar brands. CONNECT: Find us at [https://www.groundbreak.in] [q@groundbreak.in] dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.art/ CONNECT: Check out our Substack: dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.art/ Email us at [q@groundbreak.in]

    59 min
  7. #49 - The $100 Billion E-Commerce Playbook, Top Rules that Power Design at Scale : Shayak Sen

    02/10/2025

    #49 - The $100 Billion E-Commerce Playbook, Top Rules that Power Design at Scale : Shayak Sen

    This conversation with Shayak Sen, the Head of Design at Myntra, is a masterclass in navigating the complexities of design leadership and e-commerce at massive scale. Shayak, who transitioned from an architecture background to co-founding one of Bangalore's earliest UX agencies, offers a rare, insider's view on how design truly operates in a major Indian consumer tech company. The E-Commerce Playbook & Design Ethics Shayak shares that in the B2C space, 80% of design is a derivative of the Amazon playbook-making e-commerce the foundational space where design patterns are built before propagating to health tech, fintech, and other industries. As a design leader at a platform transacting for millions of people, his role is to be the "guardian" of design standards, setting benchmarks for dark patterns, ethics, compliances, and accessibility in the industry. Innovation, Gen Z, and the Future of Work Innovation Framework: The key to continuous innovation is making the cycle of micro-experiments really, really short.The Gen Z Factor: Shayak argues that the new generation's behavior is often misrepresented. While superficial "gentrification" of the experience is possible, what's truly critical is solving their core need states—like the need for affordable clothing.AI's Transformative Role: He provides a four-stage model for AI adoption, predicting it will first increase efficiency, then re-design workflows, and eventually remove workflow steps altogether.The Designer's Evolved Role: The future designer will shift from creating individual UIs to orchestrating complex design systems and frameworks. He sees this as moving from a craftsperson to a "pseudo-mathematician"—creating core rules and tokens that allow the UI to be "emergent". The conversation takes a deeper turn as Shayak discusses: - The Power of Storytelling: He reflects on the need for India to build its own unique, extensive, and globally recognized creative "worlds" and narratives. - Expert vs. Professional: He breaks down the three levels of employees in an organization: the Expert (consumed by their craft, to whom business comes), the Professional (who adapts their expertise to an organization), and the Apprentice (who needs supervision). He stresses the need for India to celebrate more such deeply focused experts. - The Next Big Leap: He expresses excitement about the potential consumer adoption of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI), as humans still lack a discreet input method beyond the keypad. He believes this is a technology that could fundamentally change the world. This episode is a highly relevant listen for design leaders, product managers, e-commerce professionals, and any creative professional looking to understand how to build and scale with integrity in the age of AI. CONNECT: Find us at [https://www.groundbreak.in] [q@groundbreak.in] dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.art/ CONNECT: Check out our Substack: dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.art/ Email us at [q@groundbreak.in]

    1h 7m
  8. #48 - The Framework to build brands that actually last : Ekta Manchanda

    25/09/2025

    #48 - The Framework to build brands that actually last : Ekta Manchanda

    In this refreshingly honest conversation, Dipaq sits down with Ekta Manchanda, co-founder of Everything Design, a multidisciplinary design studio specializing in B2B branding. Ekta shares the story of her 12-year journey from a graphic designer working at various agencies to co-founding her own firm, which now employs 36 people under one roof. She provides a masterclass on the importance of authenticity and trust in client relationships, the challenges of the industry, and the power of a collaborative, flat organizational culture. Ekta pulls back the curtain on why B2B branding is no longer a "good-to-have" but a must-have, why her firm avoids free pitches, and how they built a business model that is both profitable and rooted in integrity. She also shares her vision for the future of design, where strategy and business acumen will be the real differentiators in the age of AI. This episode is for any creative, founder, or entrepreneur looking to build a business that is not only successful but also sustainable and fulfilling. In this episode, you will discover: - Ekta's journey from a graphic designer to building a 36-person agency. - The shift in B2B branding from an afterthought to a competitive necessity. - Why Ekta's agency, Everything Design, avoids pitches and focuses on advisory services. - The framework they use to convince clients and the non-negotiable role of research in their process. - How they are navigating the impact of AI and the future of design. - Why they prioritize a flat hierarchy and a culture of collaboration. - The importance of authenticity and good work ethics in building a sustainable business. Location Credits: Ecole Intuit Lab, Bengaluru. CONNECT: Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Z3cMsbvkTT Find us at [https://www.groundbreak.in](https://www.groundbreak.in/) q@groundbreak.in - dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: [https://syqi.art] CONNECT: Check out our Substack: dipaq@substack.com Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.art/ Email us at [q@groundbreak.in]

    1 hr
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

The Groundbreakin is a cutting-edge podcast that explores the journeys of top designers, creative entrepreneurs, and thought leaders in the design industry. Hosted by Dipaq aka Q, a Creative Director and Founder of Syqi , this podcast is your go-to source for insider insights and actionable advice from the world's top design experts. With a focus on fresh topics and engaging discussions, each episode is designed to help you stay ahead of the curve and build a successful career in the ever-evolving design landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, The Groundbreakin is your essential resource for all things design. Join us on a journey to the forefront of creativity and innovation. We are on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all the podcast listening platforms.

Information

  • Creator
    Dipaq
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Groundbreakin
  • Show Website
    Groundbreakin