In the dynamic city of Mumbai, where creativity finds its rhythm amid urban chaos, Aashti Miller emerges as a luminary bridging the worlds of architecture, illustration, and graphic design. The founder of MillerInk, Aashti’s journey is an inspiring narrative of blending disparate fields to create a unique and visually stunning style that resonates globally.
Born into a world painted with strokes of creativity, Aashti Miller’s childhood was a canvas shaped by her fine artist mother and architect father. Growing up surrounded by the fusion of these artistic influences, she developed a critical eye from a tender age. Family vacations filled with museum visits became a catalyst for her creative journey, and witnessing her father build a successful architecture practice instilled in her the values of hard work and perseverance.
Aashti Miller’s commitment to marrying architecture with illustration and graphic design has given rise to a distinctive style that defies traditional boundaries. Her artistic repertoire combines constructed and painted elements, seamlessly integrating digital and analogue techniques into a harmonious blend of two and three-dimensional art forms. This unique approach has not only garnered attention but has also led to collaborations with renowned brands such as Michael Kors, Cred, and the St+art India Foundation.
One of her notable projects includes designing distinctive medals for the four marathons held in India in 2020, a collaboration with Procam International. Her artistic vision extends beyond borders, evident in her mural paintings commissioned by the Goethe Institute in Delhi and Chennai, as well as in Birmingham, UK, for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Giulia Ambrogi, co-founder and curator of St+art India Foundation, discovered Aashti Miller’s work through a call-out for a collaborative project with Goethe Institute. Ambrogi praises Miller’s language as “fresh and direct, inspired by architecture in its precision and compositional aesthetic.” Miller’s art, with its rich details, now adorns city surfaces across diverse landscapes.
Aashti Miller’s philosophy in her work is characterized by ‘more is better.’ A self-proclaimed maximalist, she infuses her creations with intricate details, creating visual narratives that unfold gradually with each gaze. This meticulous approach is a reflection of the organized chaos within her mind, where a million ideas coalesce into tangible art.
However, beneath the vibrant creativity lies a battle with anxiety, a challenge Miller openly acknowledges. Yet, rather than succumbing to it, she channels this energy into her work, creating a symbiotic relationship between her architectural and graphic design pursuits. Miller’s obsession with detail, born from this challenge, has become her distinctive ‘style,’ an integral part of her artistic identity.
Anthony Markese, principal at Pickard Chilton, an internationally recognized architecture firm, attests to Aashti Miller’s unique gift. Describing her ability to absorb, filter, and incorporate diverse influences, he highlights her talent for creating compelling spaces, images, and stories. Miller’s collaboration with Markese on various projects illustrates her capacity to merge ideas and disciplines seamlessly.
Aashti Miller, through her artistry, not only blurs the lines between architecture and graphic design but also navigates the intricate balance between chaos and order. Her work is a testament to the potential of organized chaos, transforming anxiety into a driving force for creativity. As Mumbai’s creative energy courses through her veins, Aashti Miller continues to illuminate the spaces she touches, leaving behind a legacy that challenges artistic norms and redefines the boundaries of visual expression.
