Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Chandan Mahimkar @see_mahimkar

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

I am a designer, letterer & traveller from Mumbai. Well I also work in L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, India’s well known integrated communications company as a full time Chief Creative Officer. My passion is graphic design, typography, and lettering. I use my advertising experience to create a unique voice for brands.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

Graphic design, lettering and travel are my most favourite topics. Everyday is a new learning when it comes to knowing trends & styles in the universe of design/travel. Naturally I post hand drawn lettering and travel photos on my IG account. Lettering is my passion, while travel photography is exploring unusual compositions.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

Well I wanted my name to sound unique, since cmahimkar just meant another username, I decided to name it see_mahimkar, it sounded unique & had a nice ring to it.

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

Well colour correction, depth, tones, filters, contrast you name it, all on the Instagram app. Beyond that, it has always been Adobe Photoshop, the best photo editing software on my desktop machine. There is no specific routine that I follow since each photo is unique and enhancing the original colours/depth is my style of editing any image. It starts with selecting a well composed photograph, then adding a instagram filter to give it a certain mood (Crema, Ludwig & Aden are my favourites). ‘Sharpen’ the image if required, using ‘Shadow’ to increase or decrease the depth. Controlling ‘Highlights’, manipulating ‘Warmth’. Slight adjustment of ‘Brightness & Contrast’ does help in the final output. Last but not the least using ‘Adjust’ to fine-tune the photo angles. Make sure that your screen brightness is not low while doing the editing.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

I follow select bunch of Lettering Artists, Photographers & design curators like @1924us, @littlecoal, @evakosmasflores, @paulodelvalle, @jennetliaw, @markvanleeuwn, @pandco, @designsponge. They are all very inspiring & outstanding in their work.

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

Nothing beats the power of composition, if a photograph is well composed then it is easy to make it even better through editing. Or for that matter many times it does not even require an edit. It is always better to click as many good compositions of a subject rather than being happy with a few clicks, experimenting can do wonders to your photography.

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

Well there is a sense of responsibility that keeps you doing your best. Interactions & support of followers, they want to know so much as they are interested & are inspired by your work. I absolutely love these interactions as they help me spread my knowledge with art lovers. Opportunities of collabs with amazingly talented individuals & brands.

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

Creating a unique visual style comes with lot of experimenting, dedication & passion. Once brands understand that then it is the start of creating a memorable campaign. Less digital & more organic/real life creativity has a better impact, it connects well with the audience. There is a sense of honesty in such creativity, these conversations help the brand resonate well & be a part of the audience’s life.

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

Highly important, originality can never be underestimated. Several individuals/brands are duplicating popular trends and becoming a ‘me too’. Original, honest & quality content needs a lot of work which give greater results. Telling stories about yourself, about your brand has much more connectivity than anything else. One needs to be persistent with these or else be a part of the herd.

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

Each brand has it’s own story, creating meaningful content revolving around these stories is what makes it challenging yet an enjoyable experience. Staying curious & finding the simplest of values about a brand is the foundation of a great friendship between an artist and the brand custodian. My style & skill is a means to create original content to connect with a larger audience for a brand.

Topics:

• Architecture
• Art
• Design
• Education
• Fashion
• Humor
• Nature & Outdoors
• Photography
• Travel

Country:

India