Zara Shrestha has made art for as long as she can remember. Graphic design turned out to be where that habit met clear communication and things you can hold in your hands. She can't point to one moment of realisation. It built up: a first publication, printed and bound; a design that made someone smile; the 'Aha!' of finding a visual way to say something, like being let in on a juicy secret.
Her mother was also born in Australia, with Spanish and Italian heritage, while her Nepalese father migrated to Australia in the early 90s. Growing up with those backgrounds, and travelling to them, taught her what works in some places and falls flat in others. It seeps into her work, colour choices most of all.
Zara will be a minimalist to the grave. White space matters as much as the elements living in it, and everything needs room to breathe. She isn't rigid about it, though. When in doubt, she sketches it out, or makes a mess outside the artboards, because a design eye is the one tool no grid can replace. Her view of the industry is just as clear. Access is what needs to change: mentors, internships and funding for young creatives from any background, so that "who you know" stops deciding who gets in. With AI and templates everywhere, she believes staying human is what keeps designers at the forefront. Her advice to anyone starting out is to go to the events, help each other and keep feeding their inspiration like a houseplant. It bounces back fast.
Can you tell us a little about your first few steps in your career. Was there a moment or experience when you realised this was what you'd do as a career?
I always loved and created art, all through my life. As I grew older I realised that Graphic Design was a great outlet that combined clever communication, art and creating things you could hold and interact with. It may not have been one moment, but a combination of things like seeing your first publication printed and bound, creating a design that made someone smile or having an 'Aha!' moment about a way to visually communicate a message like you found out a juicy secret. We are lucky to have many moments in such a broad and diverse profession!
What lessons from your career have most shaped your style and approach?
I love timeless simplicity, and don't feel things need to be busy or filled to communicate well. Less is more, I will be a minimalist to the grave. 'White space' is just as important as the elements that live in it, and they need the space to 'breathe'.
Tell us about the core values or philosophies that guide your creative practice.
When in doubt, sketch it out or make a mess outside the Artboards and have a play. I love minimalism, but I'm not super rigid, because sometimes your 'design eye' is the one tool that no 'guideline' or 'grid' can replace.
What needs to change, so emerging and under-represented creative professionals have more opportunity, are seen and heard?
Access and opportunities to connect with mentors, internships and funding for young and talented creatives no matter what background they have. It often is 'who you know' and not everyone has friends or friends of friends in the industry and it would be a great deal of help to have more direction for where to go next so that emerging and under-represented creatives don't lose their way.
How important is it that creative professionals find their unique voice?
It is important, this is how you add value to your roles and become harder to replace. Find what you're good at, see the patterns and hone in!
Looking ahead, what do you think are the key factors that will influence change for creative professionals?
In a world full of AI and templates, we must stay human. Our human touch and ability to think critically, emotionally and uniquely due to our diverse backgrounds and lived experiences will keep us at the forefront of design.
How much does your city influence your work?
Melbourne (Naarm) has been my home forever, although it might not influence me directly, it is a place you can find many sources of inspiration from the creatives in it. It is so culturally diverse and does care about good design overall.
How much does your culture influence your work?
I was born here, second-generation Australian to a Spanish and Italian mother and Nepalese father who migrated here in the early 90s. I am blessed to be from one of the most diverse backgrounds you can get, and I feel art and design are prominent in all of them. I would also say being from all these backgrounds and travelling to these places has given me a wealth of inspiration growing up, and understanding what works in some spaces and not in others is fascinating too. I definitely think it seeps into my work and colour choices especially in my day-to-day.
Tell us some of your favourite, creative professionals and inspiring places in your city!
Too many to name, I have been so, so lucky to be mentored and work with some incredible creatives in Melbourne (Naarm). I find you can draw inspirations from all areas of design like the homewares and furniture along Church St in Cremorne, a visit to the Paris End of Collins St, Metropolis Bookstore is always a feast for your eyes and of course a visit to the NGV or Ian Potter Centre.
What should emerging creative professionals keep in mind as they begin their design career?
Stay human, remember to collaborate, help each other out and go to the events, markets and seminars when you can. Staying inspired can feel a bit like looking after a houseplant, so keep nourishing it, it will bounce back really fast, and even surprise you and bloom at any second.