DESIGN
6 MINS
From startup to design studio
From startup to design studio
How my design approach evolved
How my design approach evolved
Shreya Babulkar, Product Designer at Canvs, shares her experience of working in two very different environments — the fast-paced, high-pressured startup life versus the more structured, methodical approach of a design studio. In this piece, she talks about what it was like to work in both settings and how it has evolved her approach towards craft.
It’s surprising how much your design philosophy can change when you step into a completely different discipline. In startups, I was always adapting, making quick decisions, and working in a fast-paced environment. Every day felt like a sprint, and I thrived in that environment, where my ideas came to life rapidly. However, when I joined a design studio, both the environment and my design approach changed.
It’s difficult to understand how much of your process is shaped by the culture around you until you step out of it. The transition was both humbling and exciting, pushing me to grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated. While I initially felt out of place in the slower, more structured and intentional studio world, I learned how this new approach could improve my design practice.
It’s surprising how much your design philosophy can change when you step into a completely different discipline. In startups, I was always adapting, making quick decisions, and working in a fast-paced environment. Every day felt like a sprint, and I thrived in that environment, where my ideas came to life rapidly. However, when I joined a design studio, both the environment and my design approach changed.
It’s difficult to understand how much of your process is shaped by the culture around you until you step out of it. The transition was both humbling and exciting, pushing me to grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated. While I initially felt out of place in the slower, more structured and intentional studio world, I learned how this new approach could improve my design practice.
"When I joined a design studio, both the environment and my design approach changed."
"When I joined a design studio, both the environment and my design approach changed."
The shift from startups to studio
The shift from startups to studio
Stepping into a design studio after working at startups, challenged the assumptions I’d built, reshaping how I worked and approached the craft of design itself.
Stepping into a design studio after working at startups, challenged the assumptions I’d built, reshaping how I worked and approached the craft of design itself.
"Soon, I started to appreciate the clarity that comes with working at a sustainable pace."
"Soon, I started to appreciate the clarity that comes with working at a sustainable pace."
From sprints to strategy
From sprints to strategy
In the startup world, there was a certain rush to it all—pushing out iterations quickly, gathering rapid feedback, and constantly adapting.
This agility taught me to think quickly and adopt a "just get it done" mindset. It was exciting, but there was often little time for deep reflection or strategic thinking. My focus was always on immediate actions, what does the product need right now, or how can I solve today’s problems as efficiently as possible?
But after a few years, I began to crave something different; which offered more time to think, more structure, and a chance to dive deeper into the design process. That’s when an opportunity to join a studio presented itself, and Debprotim Roy, Founder, Canvs, reached out to me for a role.
In the startup world, there was a certain rush to it all—pushing out iterations quickly, gathering rapid feedback, and constantly adapting.
This agility taught me to think quickly and adopt a "just get it done" mindset. It was exciting, but there was often little time for deep reflection or strategic thinking. My focus was always on immediate actions, what does the product need right now, or how can I solve today’s problems as efficiently as possible?
But after a few years, I began to crave something different; which offered more time to think, more structure, and a chance to dive deeper into the design process. That’s when an opportunity to join a studio presented itself, and Debprotim Roy, Founder, Canvs, reached out to me for a role.
Leaning into a steady pace
Leaning into a steady pace
Moving to a design studio felt like shifting from sprinting to a steady, strategic pace. At first, the transition was challenging. I was used to a fast-moving environment, so the structure and processes of a studio felt like hitting the brakes. But as I settled in, I realized I wasn’t slowing down, I just had control over the flow of work.
Here, projects weren’t just about quick delivery; we focused on creating polished, research-backed solutions. I learned to balance speed with precision, taking time for research, refining ideas through iteration, and collaborating constructively with teams.
During my time at startups, I was constantly iterating, constantly moving, and I never felt like there’s enough time. I remember nights where I worked round the clock just to get something ready for launch the next morning. It felt exhilarating but draining at the same time; there was a rush, but you were always on edge.
At Canvs, the pace is steady, it’s under control. I have time to think, time to refine, and time to iterate without the intense pressure of deadlines that feel like they’re around every corner. This shift didn’t happen immediately, and I missed the adrenaline rush of start-ups, but soon, I started to appreciate the clarity that comes with working at a sustainable pace.
Moving to a design studio felt like shifting from sprinting to a steady, strategic pace. At first, the transition was challenging. I was used to a fast-moving environment, so the structure and processes of a studio felt like hitting the brakes. But as I settled in, I realized I wasn’t slowing down, I just had control over the flow of work.
Here, projects weren’t just about quick delivery; we focused on creating polished, research-backed solutions. I learned to balance speed with precision, taking time for research, refining ideas through iteration, and collaborating constructively with teams.
During my time at startups, I was constantly iterating, constantly moving, and I never felt like there’s enough time. I remember nights where I worked round the clock just to get something ready for launch the next morning. It felt exhilarating but draining at the same time; there was a rush, but you were always on edge.
At Canvs, the pace is steady, it’s under control. I have time to think, time to refine, and time to iterate without the intense pressure of deadlines that feel like they’re around every corner. This shift didn’t happen immediately, and I missed the adrenaline rush of start-ups, but soon, I started to appreciate the clarity that comes with working at a sustainable pace.
Learning through collaboration
Learning through collaboration
One of the most transformative aspects of studio life has been the opportunity to work alongside people who have spent years honing their craft. At startups, collaboration often felt rushed, while here, it’s more deliberate and layered. Each interaction becomes a learning moment, whether it's watching someone finesse the details of a user interface or hearing fresh perspectives during a brainstorming session. I’ve learned so much just from collaborating with different people in the team.
One of the most transformative aspects of studio life has been the opportunity to work alongside people who have spent years honing their craft. At startups, collaboration often felt rushed, while here, it’s more deliberate and layered. Each interaction becomes a learning moment, whether it's watching someone finesse the details of a user interface or hearing fresh perspectives during a brainstorming session. I’ve learned so much just from collaborating with different people in the team.
"One critical lesson has been reframing my perspective: instead of seeing client constraints as limitations, I’ve come to view them as opportunities to design smarter solutions."
"One critical lesson has been reframing my perspective: instead of seeing client constraints as limitations, I’ve come to view them as opportunities to design smarter solutions."
Striking a fine balance
Striking a fine balance
In startups, the design process revolves around the user and achieving product-market fit—every decision is laser-focused on how the user interacts with the product. Shifting to studio work introduced a new layer of complexity: balancing the client’s business goals and priorities with creating a seamless, user-centric experience. This duality has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of my transition.
What I’ve learned is that client expectations often stem from a deep understanding of their industry, but those needs don’t always align perfectly with what users want. Managing this dynamic requires a blend of empathy, communication, and strategy. It’s not just about presenting the "right" solution—it’s about collaboratively arriving at a solution that respects both the client’s objectives and the user’s needs.
One critical lesson has been reframing my perspective: instead of seeing client constraints as limitations, I’ve come to view them as opportunities to design smarter solutions. This fine balancing act has redefined my design philosophy, reinforcing that while client priorities are important, the long-term success of any project depends on delivering value to the end user—and it’s my role as a designer to make that connection seamless.
In startups, the design process revolves around the user and achieving product-market fit—every decision is laser-focused on how the user interacts with the product. Shifting to studio work introduced a new layer of complexity: balancing the client’s business goals and priorities with creating a seamless, user-centric experience. This duality has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of my transition.
What I’ve learned is that client expectations often stem from a deep understanding of their industry, but those needs don’t always align perfectly with what users want. Managing this dynamic requires a blend of empathy, communication, and strategy. It’s not just about presenting the "right" solution—it’s about collaboratively arriving at a solution that respects both the client’s objectives and the user’s needs.
One critical lesson has been reframing my perspective: instead of seeing client constraints as limitations, I’ve come to view them as opportunities to design smarter solutions. This fine balancing act has redefined my design philosophy, reinforcing that while client priorities are important, the long-term success of any project depends on delivering value to the end user—and it’s my role as a designer to make that connection seamless.
How I evolved to designing with intention
How I evolved to designing with intention
Working at a studio full of good designers has changed my approach to design. The startup world has taught me how to move fast, but it’s at Canvs that I learned the value of structure, investigation, comprehension and intentionality behind design exercises. My process has evolved from being reactive and potentially myopic to one that is strategically sound yet delivers fast outcomes.
Studio work also brought new challenges, particularly in working on complex, multi-faceted projects for a single client. While startups often demand rapid iterations across a variety of projects, studio life requires a deeper focus on long-term, multi-phase projects. This forced me to think more strategically about design as a long-term investment, aligning creative work with broader business strategies.
At times, it felt overwhelming how do you stay creative and fresh while working on different facets of the same brand? But over time, I realized that this deeper focus allowed me to truly understand the client’s users, refine my approach, and deliver designs that weren’t just innovative but also highly effective.
Working at a studio full of good designers has changed my approach to design. The startup world has taught me how to move fast, but it’s at Canvs that I learned the value of structure, investigation, comprehension and intentionality behind design exercises. My process has evolved from being reactive and potentially myopic to one that is strategically sound yet delivers fast outcomes.
Studio work also brought new challenges, particularly in working on complex, multi-faceted projects for a single client. While startups often demand rapid iterations across a variety of projects, studio life requires a deeper focus on long-term, multi-phase projects. This forced me to think more strategically about design as a long-term investment, aligning creative work with broader business strategies.
At times, it felt overwhelming how do you stay creative and fresh while working on different facets of the same brand? But over time, I realized that this deeper focus allowed me to truly understand the client’s users, refine my approach, and deliver designs that weren’t just innovative but also highly effective.
"Great design doesn’t exist in isolation. It thrives in collaboration, whether with users, clients, or teammates."
"Great design doesn’t exist in isolation. It thrives in collaboration, whether with users, clients, or teammates."
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from my time at the studio has been learning the value of structure and strategic thinking. While startups taught me to think fast and adapt, the studio has taught me to slow down, think deeply, and craft designs that solve immediate challenges as well as address long-term goals.
Now, I take the time to fully understand the problem before jumping into solutions. Research has become a crucial part of my workflow, allowing me to dig deeper into user needs and business goals before I even begin designing. Iteration, too, has taken on new meaning. Instead of simply tweaking designs based on quick feedback, I now focus on refining ideas through a more deliberate, collaborative process.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from my time at the studio has been learning the value of structure and strategic thinking. While startups taught me to think fast and adapt, the studio has taught me to slow down, think deeply, and craft designs that solve immediate challenges as well as address long-term goals.
Now, I take the time to fully understand the problem before jumping into solutions. Research has become a crucial part of my workflow, allowing me to dig deeper into user needs and business goals before I even begin designing. Iteration, too, has taken on new meaning. Instead of simply tweaking designs based on quick feedback, I now focus on refining ideas through a more deliberate, collaborative process.
A maturing of craft
A maturing of craft
This journey has shown me that design is as much about mindset as it is about skill. Moving between setups, I’ve realized that adaptability and depth are not opposing forces—they’re complementary. Each context forces you to examine design through a different lens, and it’s in this constant shift of perspectives that real growth happens.
The most valuable insight I’ve gained is that great design doesn’t exist in isolation. It thrives in collaboration—whether with users, clients, or teammates—and in the ability to listen deeply and respond thoughtfully. As the lines between industries blur, and design continues to evolve, I see these lessons becoming even more relevant. Looking forward, a designer’s true strength will lie not just in their craft, but in their ability to navigate complexity, connect dots, and create fluid, intentional solutions.
This journey has shown me that design is as much about mindset as it is about skill. Moving between setups, I’ve realized that adaptability and depth are not opposing forces—they’re complementary. Each context forces you to examine design through a different lens, and it’s in this constant shift of perspectives that real growth happens.
The most valuable insight I’ve gained is that great design doesn’t exist in isolation. It thrives in collaboration—whether with users, clients, or teammates—and in the ability to listen deeply and respond thoughtfully. As the lines between industries blur, and design continues to evolve, I see these lessons becoming even more relevant. Looking forward, a designer’s true strength will lie not just in their craft, but in their ability to navigate complexity, connect dots, and create fluid, intentional solutions.
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.