Groundbreakin
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.
Groundbreakin
#63 - ADHD, India 2.0, and ADHD, India 2.0, and Building Timeless Consumer Brands : Abhishek Durani
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What does it take to build a branding studio that gets dream clients without ever doing cold outreach?
In this episode of The Groundbreakin, we sit down with Abhishek Durani, founder of Studio Sorted, a Bangalore-based branding and strategy agency behind some of India’s most talked-about consumer brands. From Theka Coffee on Shark Tank to a participatory brand built with a food community, Durani’s approach to branding is bold, strategic and anything but boring.
From a Kashmiri migrant kid from Chandigarh to running a multi-vertical creative studio, this is a conversation about building with intention, leading with culture, and why every brand B2B or B2C deserves to be exciting.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER:
- Why architecture training gives designers a 360 vision (03:42)
- How Theka Coffee became a cult brand and put Studio Sorted on the map (04:25)
- The participatory design process behind Only What’s Needed (15:44)
- Why ADHD is Durani’s creative superpower (08:48)
- How Studio Sorted gets featured on ChatGPT and Gemini (08:42)
- Why he checks every candidate’s Instagram first (14:03)
- Panic Press and Type Foundry building verticals from within the team (02:57)
- What it’s really like running a studio with your life partner (08:08)
THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF:
- You’re a designer or creative thinking about starting your own studio
- You want to understand how brand strategy and culture work together
- You’re building a consumer brand and want it to actually stand for something
- You believe good design should never be boring no matter the industry
CONNECT:
Check out our Substack: dipaq.substack.com
Supported by Syqi: https://syqi.design/
Email us at [q@groundbreak.in]