Aditi Mittal, the creative force behind Maditiss Studio, has turned a childhood idea into a thriving multidisciplinary design studio. What began as a quirky signature for her art has evolved into a dynamic space for exploration and creativity. Aditi's journey from studying psychology to becoming a ceramic artist reflects a deep passion for both understanding human behavior and creating impactful design.
Can you share the inspiration behind founding Maditiss and how your background in psychology and design shaped the studio's approach?
Maditiss was born from an idea I had in 11th grade back in 2014. It started as a fun, quirky name to sign under my artworks, and has since evolved into a fully functioning multidisciplinary design studio. I've always had a passion for design, but at the time, attending a design school seemed like a distant dream, so I chose to study Psychology instead. Emotionally, it was a tough decision. However, I began working right after college, doing internships and offering free work to gain more skills and experience.
During my first year in college, I realized that Psychology and design are deeply interconnected. Instead of feeling disheartened, I saw this as an opportunity to blend both disciplines, allowing me to pursue something both fun and fulfilling.
This unique combination has helped me approach design in a way that understands how human experiences impact design and the world around us—and vice versa. It has equipped us with a better understanding of people’s mindsets, enabling us to grasp briefs more effectively, eliminate gaps, and define a clear direction for projects. This approach creates a smooth workflow and helps clients better understand their requirements, allowing us to deliver more tailored services.
From visual design, murals, and creative direction to project management, ceramics, installations, interiors, and set design, we've done it all. Think of Maditiss as a playground where you can explore, stumble, cry, laugh, and have fun—all at the same time. This spirit of playfulness and growth has helped Maditiss continually evolve into something better.
Aditi Mittal (left)
What drew you to ceramics, and how do you see it evolving in the context of modern art and design?
Ceramics was a chance encounter for me after completing my bachelor's degree. I had neither heard of the field nor was I aware of the scope and possibilities it held. However, my hands-on experience with clay, combined with my academic background in psychology, opened up vast opportunities to expand and explore my craft and practice. Even now, it never ceases to amaze me.
Clay as a medium offers the space to express more freely through forms, surface design, textures, and finishes. The scope is vast, stretching beyond our imagination and continually evolving within the context of modern art and design. It’s an honest and sheer reflection of one's own mind and body while working with clay.
Maditiss frequently hosts pottery workshops and teaches students about ceramics. What do you hope students gain from these workshops, and how do they contribute to the studio's mission?
Maditiss Studio hosts experiences such as workshops and retreats with the goal of sharing the knowledge and experience I’ve gained over the years, alongside like-minded people and friends who have helped me learn and grow. The idea is to create a community space where people can enjoy, learn, create, and have fun. Whether they are signing up for a one-time session or taking a course, I want them to feel that there’s nothing they can’t do or feel. Your own world is a free world—keep creating, molding, and growing it.
These experiences contribute to the studio’s mission by helping us better understand what participants want and need, and how we can make these creative opportunities more accessible to them without any filters. If we can do this, it adds to the success of the experiences we plan at Maditiss Studio.
You’ve created everything from floral ceramic tea sets to anime-inspired tumblers. Which project or product has been the most challenging or rewarding for you, and why?
I'm mostly occupied with commercial projects running in the studio, such as branding projects, wall murals, and designing custom ware on orders. So, I have to carve out time for personal projects. Every project becomes my favorite in this context because it allows me to push my creative boundaries and skills. These challenges, once successfully executed, bring a sense of accomplishment that is deeply fulfilling and rewarding. Whether it's the Kaagaz collection, Bollywood collection, fabric ceramics, anime collection, or goddess themes, my only agenda is to learn and have fun!
What inspired you to make notebook paper-like ceramics?
I love working with forms, capturing their essence through the medium of clay. So far, I've explored fabric and paper forms, both of which offer endless possibilities for experimenting with surface design. As a visual designer, I bring all my skills to the table to create concepts that fascinate me. The Kaagaz collection is one such idea that was brought to life in this way.
What inspired me for the Kaagaz collection was my habit of doodling and scribbling during school and college—whether it was writing down my favorite lyrics, jokes, or even math calculations I never quite understood. The list is endless. I transformed these memories into a ceramic collection, and once it was released, I was surprised by how much it resonated with others. It has become our best-selling limited edition collection so far.
Looking ahead, what are some new directions or projects you’re excited about for Maditiss, and how do you envision the studio continuing to innovate and inspire in the future?
There are new and exciting projects on the horizon! Moving forward, Maditiss Studio is focusing on new learnings and experimentation to enhance the quality of the services we offer and the experiences we curate and deliver. We will be introducing new workshop programs that will be based on research as well. In conclusion, we aim to expand our skill set, incorporate new toolkits, and combine them with existing ideas to execute them effectively.
Words Paridhi Badgotri
Date 23.08.2024