Urvi Sharma and Manan Narang of the interdisciplinary design studio INDO- will discuss how they use a blend of craft and narrative in their creative process, aiming to share the rich cultural and historical identity they bring as Indian designers in the rapidly changing landscape of American design. With a focus on re-contextualizing traditional techniques from different disciplines of art and craft, INDO- creates contemporary objects that celebrate the handmade and acknowledge the people and places that inspired them.

INDO- is an award winning interdisciplinary design studio based in Providence, RI. Founded in 2018 by Urvi Sharma and Manan Narang - both grew up in New Delhi and met at the Rhode Island School of Design - INDO- is a product of experiencing both places and cultures.

Using a blend of craft and narrative in our creative process, we aim to share the rich cultural and historical identity we bring with us as Indian designers in the rapidly changing landscape of American design. With a focus on re-contextualizing traditional techniques from different disciplines of art and craft into our work, INDO- creates contemporary objects that celebrate the handmade and acknowledge the people and places that inspired them.

Our products are made to order in our RI studio - alongside a network of trusted local and regional vendors - and can be customized in size, material and finish to suit a wide range of projects. Our clients include top-tier interior design and architecture firms such as NICOLEHOLLIS, RIOS, Chango & Co, David Scott Interiors and Nina Gotlieb working on residential and commercial projects worldwide.

INDO- has been featured in multiple publications including The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Interior Design Magazine, and Dwell. Our work has also received numerous awards and recognitions including the Dwell 24, NYCxDesign Emerging Product Designer and Female Design Council + NICOLEHOLLIS Grant Honoree. In 2021, Urvi and Manan made their TV debut on Ellen’s Next Great Designer, a design and build competition for high end residential furniture.

Urvi Sharma is a furniture designer and product designer. She completed her BFA in Furniture Design at the Rhode Island School of Design in 2017. Urvi uses a layered design process, incorporating personal narrative, traditional craft techniques and modern ways of making into her work. Mirroring her experiences growing up in New Delhi, India and working for internationally renowned designers , her products connect with their audience in an increasingly diasporic world while embodying unique identities with the stories they tell.

Manan Narang is an architect, furniture designer, and maker. He completed his B.Arch from School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi in 2011 and his MFA in Furniture Design from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2018. His facility for highly demanding, detail oriented design work along with his experience with manufacturing and construction methods allow him to deconstruct and distill traditional craft processes as inspiration for his design work