S7E07 Color Rebellion with Mehek Malhotra
Color in India is likened to a masala dabba (spice box): the turmeric, the chili, the coriander powder, they all remain consistent, but they can be used to make infinitely different dishes or designs depending on the region and flavor. This shows that certain colors form a foundational language. In a dry desert region like Rajasthan, the lack of something in the natural landscape leads people to use incredibly bright colors in their clothing”.
This interview features Mehek Malhotra, founder of Giggling Monkey Studio, discussing how her Indian heritage and the psychology of color inform her narrative-driven design work. She describes color as an innate, universal language—akin to a lifelong tattoo—and uses the "masala dabba" (spice box) metaphor to explain India's consistent yet versatile palette. A central theme is her philosophy of "serious play," which encourages designers to reclaim the judgment-free creativity of childhood to develop original, commercially viable ideas. Mehek also explores her preference for "lived-in" aesthetics over sterile perfection, reflecting on projects for IKEA and Google that translate personal memories into universal experiences.
The colorful and brilliant designs of Mehek Malhotra, a young designer based in Mumbai, India, are well-known for their fusion of modern aesthetics with traditional Indian elements. Malhotra, who has experience in graphic design, visual communication, and drawing, has made a name for herself in the competitive Indian design industry. Her portfolio features a wide range of projects in fields as diverse as product design, packaging, brand identity, and more.
India is where Mehek Malhotra spent her formative years. Her early years were spent absorbing visual culture, during which her budding interest in art and design flourished. She continued her education by earning a Bachelor of Design degree with a concentration in fashion communication and graphic design, while being awarded the best graducation project award at NIFT in 2018. Her formal education laid the groundwork for her to develop her abilities and explore other forms of expression.
She was awarded 25 under 25 in 2016 by TATA Nano and Campus Diaries for the field of Art + Design and was recognised in the Power 25 List of the Rolling Stone Magazine in 2023. In 2025, she received a Special Mention in the Forbes 30 Under 30 India list for Design, acknowledging her growing influence and contribution to creative culture in the country.
Mehek started the graphic design, illustration, and branding studio Giggling Monkey Studio. She has done work for well-known customers like major corporations, young businesses, and non-governmental organisations through her studio. Malhotra's work is readily recognisable for its emphasis on whimsical shapes and vivid patterns. The creative methods used by Giggling Monkey Studio have earned them praise and a dedicated following; with clients such as Google, Facebook, Instagram, and others, as well as smaller businesses, to help them find their creative voice and place in Indian markets. The studio loves to collaborate and produce work for music; this has led to numerous projects for various artists, most recently with the Berklee Indian Ensemble, whose album was nominated for the 2023 Grammys.
She is also the Creative Lead for India at Canva. Canva is a website that lets people design and makes beautiful graphics. This makes design more accessible for everyone to use and understand.
In 2025, Mehek brought her perspective on food, memory, and domesticity to the international stage. At Salone del Mobile — Milan Design Week — she collaborated with Maurizio Tentella on Eat With Your Mouth Open, a lived-in dining room installation created in partnership with IKEA. The project wove together Italian and Indian cultural references around food and home, drawing on the stories of both their grandmothers. The installation ran April 21–26, 2025, and invited audiences to sit with the idea that a dining table is never just a table — it is where culture is passed down, arguments are had, and love is fed.
Numerous organisations and publications have recognised and to name a few. Mehek's passion for art and her dedication to her craft have propelled her to the top of her field, and she continues to inspire and entertain audiences with her unique and captivating work, making her craft more accessible and understood so more people can aspire to work as creatives in India.
