We caught up for a chat with Nidhi Singh, Founder, The Living Waters Creative Studio on her journey as a creative, illustrator and graphic design artist! We had a ton of laughs and some amazing insights! Check it out below!
Q. Hi Nidhi! Thanks for agreeing to this interview. To kick-off, can you tell us what your childhood was like?
School days were not really great. I was not among 'one of those brilliant students'. Hopelessness taunted me, in fact the study pressure was so much that I actually decided to commit suicide. I even wrote a letter to my parents mentioning the date and time of when I planned to take my life.
Q. We're glad you held back & are here today! Could you tell us, what stopped you?
I was prepared to end my life the next day, but that night I had a dream. In my dream, I saw a child struggling to climb a huge staircase and every time that child stepped up, he’d end up falling. It was so relatable and while I was dreaming, I heard a voice saying, 'He hasn’t given up on you, then how can you? If it wasn’t from God how can you reach this far? How can you give up now?'. That encounter really changed my life. I woke up and my heart was full of love and acceptance. Just want to tell you that God knows you, he is much closer than you think he is!
Q. From that day till now, how has your life been?
Today I am an illustrator running a business with my husband who is an animator and my brother who also is an illustrator. Every product or illustration we made, it’s all by God’s wisdom and his grace. The journey hasn’t been easy for me but I’ve held on to my foundation.
Q. When you came to college you chose your passion to be your bread and butter. What was that like?
My parents were government officials, so choosing entertainment, drawing as a passion was not an easy task! But I believed in what God has invested in me and held onto that.
Q. Wow! Then tell us a few years now down the road, how do you face disappointments in business especially when people don’t like or appreciate your work?
Tbh, I feel very sad and heartbroken! Especially when I work so hard for a product but nobody appreciates it. But it’s ok because it’s a journey. I give myself time and trust God with my vision.
Q. What role did God play in design and illustration? Do you think there was a time you felt God was far?
Whatever I do, I do it for Jesus. When I do that it no more feels like a weight or burden. Even when some products didn’t/don't work out well, it’s ok because I did/do it for Jesus. So from deciding the product we’re gonna launch to what kind of composition to how we’re gonna illustrate and what kind of treatment, everything is with God and for God. That really is a key point because it keeps you grounded and humble. It protects you from your own self-doubt and doubts of others and most of all it helps you to maintain commitment and consistency.
Q. How did the name 'Living Waters Studio' come up?
Living Waters started after college. So there’s no such big story behind that name. It just felt biblical so we researched it and got to know that it’s a translation of a Hebrew name 'Mayyim Hayyim' which means water not contained by human hands but provided by God. So that kind of hit us and that’s how the name came up.
Q. This has been awesome! So before we wrap it up, any advice for those who want to pursue a career in design and illustration?
Just keep going, no matter what happens. It’s not going to be easy, it’s a process. Know your tools, be committed and consistent. If you have chosen this path, trust God, do it unto him and stick with it. Have people in your life with whom you can pour your heart out. Most importantly learn to say ‘Yes’ in faith.
We hope you enjoyed this short chat! To know more about Nidhi and the gang, click HERE!