WORKPLACE CULTURE
6 MINS
A journey of honesty, growth, and curiosity
A journey of honesty, growth, and curiosity
5 years at Canvs
5 years at Canvs
Aalhad Joshi, delves into his five-year journey at Canvs, where a culture grounded in intellectual and personal honesty shaped his development as a designer and an individual. And how it sets a studio like Canvs apart in the Indian design landscape.
When I joined Canvs five years ago, I had no idea how profoundly this experience would shape me—not just as a designer, but as someone driven by an ever-deepening curiosity about the world.
What began as a new job quickly turned into a personal and professional journey that would challenge my understanding of collaboration, creativity, and, most importantly, honesty.
Reflecting on these five years, it’s clear that much of the growth I’ve experienced comes from stepping into a culture that prioritized intellectual and personal honesty above all else—a rarity, especially in the Indian design landscape.
When I joined Canvs five years ago, I had no idea how profoundly this experience would shape me—not just as a designer, but as someone driven by an ever-deepening curiosity about the world.
What began as a new job quickly turned into a personal and professional journey that would challenge my understanding of collaboration, creativity, and, most importantly, honesty.
Reflecting on these five years, it’s clear that much of the growth I’ve experienced comes from stepping into a culture that prioritized intellectual and personal honesty above all else—a rarity, especially in the Indian design landscape.
The initial experience: New beginnings in an unfamiliar space
The initial experience: New beginnings in an unfamiliar space
Like most new experiences, my first days at Canvs were filled with excitement and a sense of anticipation. I knew I was entering a dynamic, forward-thinking environment, but I didn’t fully grasp how profoundly it would shape me. Coming from past work environments where design was often constrained by external factors and honesty could be sacrificed for the sake of experience, I wasn’t quite prepared for what I found at Canvs.
It was a space where the norm wasn’t conformity or hierarchy, but creativity rooted in radical transparency. Here, design was approached as a collaborative craft, unencumbered by unnecessary silos or arbitrary rules. I was stepping into a place where honest feedback wasn’t just expected—it was celebrated.
Like most new experiences, my first days at Canvs were filled with excitement and a sense of anticipation. I knew I was entering a dynamic, forward-thinking environment, but I didn’t fully grasp how profoundly it would shape me. Coming from past work environments where design was often constrained by external factors and honesty could be sacrificed for the sake of experience, I wasn’t quite prepared for what I found at Canvs.
It was a space where the norm wasn’t conformity or hierarchy, but creativity rooted in radical transparency. Here, design was approached as a collaborative craft, unencumbered by unnecessary silos or arbitrary rules. I was stepping into a place where honest feedback wasn’t just expected—it was celebrated.
A culture of intellectual and personal honesty: The core of Canvs
A culture of intellectual and personal honesty: The core of Canvs
The defining characteristic of Canvs is its commitment to honesty—both intellectual and personal. It wasn’t just a value written on a wall or a slogan repeated at meetings. It was the cornerstone of how the team functioned. Every discussion, every critique, and every decision was rooted in a culture of transparency and openness.
The defining characteristic of Canvs is its commitment to honesty—both intellectual and personal. It wasn’t just a value written on a wall or a slogan repeated at meetings. It was the cornerstone of how the team functioned. Every discussion, every critique, and every decision was rooted in a culture of transparency and openness.
In many workplaces, feedback is often softened, filtered, or even avoided altogether to preserve egos. At Canvs, feedback was direct but constructive. It wasn’t about tearing down ideas or people but elevating both. The goal was never to win an argument or protect individual egos but to push ideas to their absolute best.
"The idea was simple: honesty, no matter how challenging or uncomfortable, was essential to creating work of true value."
"The idea was simple: honesty, no matter how challenging or uncomfortable, was essential to creating work of true value."
In many workplaces, feedback is often softened, filtered, or even avoided altogether to preserve egos. At Canvs, feedback was direct but constructive. It wasn’t about tearing down ideas or people but elevating both. The goal was never to win an argument or protect individual egos but to push ideas to their absolute best.
This focus on intellectual honesty enabled more meaningful collaborations and helped us dig deeper into solutions, often uncovering insights that would have otherwise been missed.
And the commitment to honesty wasn’t just intellectual; it was personal too. There was a genuine encouragement to show up as your full self, to bring your vulnerabilities and experiences into the workplace.
It created an environment where I was able to build relationships that went beyond professional connections. These were people who celebrated with me during my wedding and provided unwavering support during more sombre, personal moments.
It’s a rare thing to find such depth of connection in a professional setting, and it’s one of the things I cherish most about my time here.
This focus on intellectual honesty enabled more meaningful collaborations and helped us dig deeper into solutions, often uncovering insights that would have otherwise been missed.
And the commitment to honesty wasn’t just intellectual; it was personal too. There was a genuine encouragement to show up as your full self, to bring your vulnerabilities and experiences into the workplace.
It created an environment where I was able to build relationships that went beyond professional connections. These were people who celebrated with me during my wedding and provided unwavering support during more sombre, personal moments.
It’s a rare thing to find such depth of connection in a professional setting, and it’s one of the things I cherish most about my time here.
Growth as a designer: Craft, finesse, and wider horizons
Growth as a designer: Craft, finesse, and wider horizons
The culture of honesty shaped my growth as a designer. It taught me to look at every problem not just through the lens of craft, but through the lens of possibility. The constant, unvarnished feedback I received pushed me to continuously refine my ideas, chiselling them down until I could confidently stand behind the work leaving my desk.
I also learned that great design isn’t just about aesthetics or usability. It’s about asking the hard questions, considering the broader implications of our work, and embracing insights from outside the design discipline.
At Canvs, design wasn’t seen as a stand-alone entity, but as an integral part of a much larger product ecosystem. The team’s commitment to intellectual honesty ensured that we never settled for surface-level solutions. approach expanded my skill set and deepened my understanding of how design fits into the broader context of product and business goals.
The culture of honesty shaped my growth as a designer. It taught me to look at every problem not just through the lens of craft, but through the lens of possibility. The constant, unvarnished feedback I received pushed me to continuously refine my ideas, chiselling them down until I could confidently stand behind the work leaving my desk.
I also learned that great design isn’t just about aesthetics or usability. It’s about asking the hard questions, considering the broader implications of our work, and embracing insights from outside the design discipline.
At Canvs, design wasn’t seen as a stand-alone entity, but as an integral part of a much larger product ecosystem. The team’s commitment to intellectual honesty ensured that we never settled for surface-level solutions. approach expanded my skill set and deepened my understanding of how design fits into the broader context of product and business goals.
Inquisitiveness over anxiety
Inquisitiveness over anxiety
Curiosity took center-stage at Canvs. The team fostered an environment where inquisitiveness was celebrated, while fear and anxiety were left at the door.
Curiosity took center-stage at Canvs. The team fostered an environment where inquisitiveness was celebrated, while fear and anxiety were left at the door.
"Whenever possible, and even when it wasn’t, the team supported me in being my most inquisitive self."
"Whenever possible, and even when it wasn’t, the team supported me in being my most inquisitive self."
It helped to create an atmosphere where failure was not something to be feared but a necessary step toward discovery and innovation.
Beyond the office walls, my work at Canvs sparked a curiosity about the intersections between design, human behavior, and other disciplines. I found myself asking bigger questions: How do people interact with the things we design? How can we anticipate needs they might not even be aware of? And how can intellectual and personal honesty foster a more collaborative and creative work environment?
It helped to create an atmosphere where failure was not something to be feared but a necessary step toward discovery and innovation.
Beyond the office walls, my work at Canvs sparked a curiosity about the intersections between design, human behavior, and other disciplines. I found myself asking bigger questions: How do people interact with the things we design? How can we anticipate needs they might not even be aware of? And how can intellectual and personal honesty foster a more collaborative and creative work environment?
A unique context: Standing out in the Indian design landscape
A unique context: Standing out in the Indian design landscape
What made my experience even more meaningful was the distinctiveness of Canvs in the broader Indian design landscape. In many Indian workplaces, particularly within design studios, hierarchy often takes precedence over ideas. Intellectual and personal honesty, while valued in theory, is often tempered to maintain harmony or adhere to established norms.
Canvs was different. It broke away from these conventions, placing honesty at the forefront of every interaction. This difference was palpable, both internally and externally. The culture of openness and transparency was a key reason why we consistently attracted and retained some of the top businesses over long periods of time.
We weren’t just another design studio; we were partners in solving complex, real-world problems—and that’s a reputation that took time, effort, and a deep commitment to honesty to build.
What made my experience even more meaningful was the distinctiveness of Canvs in the broader Indian design landscape. In many Indian workplaces, particularly within design studios, hierarchy often takes precedence over ideas. Intellectual and personal honesty, while valued in theory, is often tempered to maintain harmony or adhere to established norms.
Canvs was different. It broke away from these conventions, placing honesty at the forefront of every interaction. This difference was palpable, both internally and externally. The culture of openness and transparency was a key reason why we consistently attracted and retained some of the top businesses over long periods of time.
We weren’t just another design studio; we were partners in solving complex, real-world problems—and that’s a reputation that took time, effort, and a deep commitment to honesty to build.
Looking back: Honesty as the cornerstone of growth
Looking back: Honesty as the cornerstone of growth
As I reflect on these past five years, I sometimes find it hard to believe how much I’ve grown—both as a designer and as a person. I’ve come to realize that honesty, whether in design or in life, is never the easy path, but it’s always the most rewarding. The intellectual and personal growth I’ve experienced is something I carry with me every day, setting a high bar for any future projects or teams I may be part of.
Canvs has been a place where honesty and curiosity are intertwined with creativity and innovation. It has not only shaped my professional journey, but also profoundly influenced how I engage with the world.
For that, I will always be grateful.
As I reflect on these past five years, I sometimes find it hard to believe how much I’ve grown—both as a designer and as a person. I’ve come to realize that honesty, whether in design or in life, is never the easy path, but it’s always the most rewarding. The intellectual and personal growth I’ve experienced is something I carry with me every day, setting a high bar for any future projects or teams I may be part of.
Canvs has been a place where honesty and curiosity are intertwined with creativity and innovation. It has not only shaped my professional journey, but also profoundly influenced how I engage with the world.
For that, I will always be grateful.
Canvs is an interface design and engineering studio based in Mumbai, India. We are group design partners to some of India’s market leaders in Banking and Finance and have been around since 2016.