UPES student gets rave reviews for packaging designs on Amazon

Isha Arya, a third year student of B.Des. (Product and Industrial Design) at UPES, is the founder of Quokka Designs which makes quirky and creative packaging for Aakriti International, an exporter of Indian artifacts

Isha Arya, a third year student of B.Des. (Product and Industrial Design) at UPES, is the founder of Quokka Designs, a design company that takes its inspiration from quokkas, said to be the world’s happiest animals.

“We believe in creating happiness among our customers and creating out-of-the-box designs,” Isha says, explaining her company name. Quokka Designs has been recognized for its innovative packaging for an incense sticks company called Aakriti International.

Aakriti International, an Indian artifacts exporter with markets primarily in Europe and the US, asked Isha to develop packaging for incense sticks to be sold in the international market and on Amazon. The brief was to “develop distinct packaging for each of the incense stick categories named Yoga, Relaxation, Excitement and Meditation”. The packaging had to reflect the ethos behind each of the categories.

Isha’s final product not only delivered on the brief, but also gave it a touch of humour.

“After a lot of brainstorming sessions with the client, I came out with the idea to develop a packaging with a humorous tilt,” Isha says. “I decided to introduce fun animals with corresponding colours and fonts depicting all the moods and I am very happy to state that all my packaging is displayed on the client’s site,” she adds.

Isha, however, admits success didn’t come easy. The work was challenging but support from her faculty members at UPES kept her morale high, she says.

“Indeed, the work was challenging as I had to create a packaging with an unconventional message. I thank UPES, my university, our Dean Ms Manisha Mohan, our Head of the Department Mr Manas Ranjan Misra and my mentor Mr Rakesh Sah who all guided and encouraged me,” Isha says. “I feel blessed to have such mentors who gave me the confidence to overcome hurdles and gave wings to my passion which helped me to work through the problems and fulfill the order,” she adds.

The order was worth Rs 1,00,000 and Quokka Designs has bagged yet another project – that of designing coasters for a company.

“I am glad to share that another client has approached me to design coasters after visiting our college’s exhibition recently,” Isha says excitedly.

Isha has always had a passion for photography and nature.

“Since childhood I have loved observing and clicking nature’s beauty and creations,” she says. “As a science student, creating minute detailed images always fascinated me,” she adds.

Isha credits her parents for being her pillars of support throughout her journey and giving her the right direction and guidance.

“I am thankful to my parents who motivated me to choose studies that would help develop my passion into a career,” Isha says.