Swapnil Acharya

Product designer and design connoisseur from Kathmandu, Nepal.

I have more than fifteen years of expeirence doing all things design. I started off with humble designs for a couple of friends and family and gradually made my way up to designing websites and print stuff for real-world clients.

Some of the biggest feats I acheived:

• Creative Director at Leapfrog Technology Nepal
• Storycamp with Google Earth Outreach and Story Cycle
• Founded Nepal's first boutique design studio Expresiv Studios
• Won WAVE Web Winner in 2005, Nepal's first web design contest
• Designed movie posters for more than 25 Nepali films

Dad bought home a personal computer in 2000

It all started when Dad brought home our first computer. The year was 2000, and everyone was freaking out about Y2K, thinking the world’s computers would crash. But I had a different mission—learning how to use that new machine sitting in our living room.

Among all the programs, there was one that really grabbed my attention: Microsoft PowerPoint. It was like magic! I could play with colors, shapes, and symbols. This was my jam. But then I heard about something even cooler—Adobe Photoshop. So, I took a trip down to New Road and snagged a (pirated) installation CD.

Photoshop was a game-changer, but then I discovered something that blew my mind—Macromedia Flash. This program was next-level. My designs could A-N-I-M-A-T-E! What more could a budding designer ask for?

One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I had found my groove. I was officially a designer!

The website I desingned for Japan Auto Tech got me my first 1500 rupees salary in 2007. Totally worth it!

I had so much free time that I used to design a new personal website for me every week or so.

This print ad was done for the college I went to. It was the first ever printed material it every appeared on any medium. The feeling was exhilarating.