Leaders

The transition of interior spaces into experiential environments has strengthened the value of expertise and innovation in the field of design. Premium interior design leverages technology and design acumen for customized delivery to produce solution-oriented designs.

To align with the evolving consumer and market needs, design leaders must lead with purpose, offering quality designs that blend futuristic needs with timeless aesthetics.

Applying her deep-seated knowledge to innovate and create impressive designs, Sukrutha Karthik is one such determined and strategically aligned principal architect to have been featured for her leadership qualities in design and delivery.

She is the founder of Hyderabad based bespoke interior design firm, Design Ripples and has extensive experience in architectural planning and construction drawings in mixed-use projects and design coordination.

Sukrutha’s work embodies a balance between creativity and a sense of social responsibility and concern for the environment. Her design philosophy includes human-centric design, ethical and sustainable design practices that have positively impacted the development of Hyderabad’s skyline.

Take us through the early years of your professional journey as an architect.

I made the decision to pursue architecture early in my life. I joined the practice shortly after completing my education in the early 2000s. At the time, architecture was also gaining prominence.

I was devoted to understanding the fundamentals of this field and spent the early years in the industry being inspired by my mentors. I was focused on developing technical skills from the outset.

Through involvement with design development, site work, and coordination, I gained exposure to the whole process of how things come together. Handling direct client communication as young as I was, has been one of the major accomplishments for me.

What’s the underlying idea behind establishing Design Ripples?

Design Ripples was founded to work as an independent design voice. Following five to six years of professional practice, I felt the need to establish a practice where creative ideas could be explored and executed authentically.

The core of the firm is to move beyond inherited design frameworks and develop projects rooted in original thinking and tailored solutions.

The firm’s name reflects the idea that thoughtful design should have a lasting, cumulative impact rather than create complexity or maintenance challenges. Our expertise lies in delivering bespoke premium residential interior design for high-end villas and apartments, delivering refined and client-centric design solutions.

Tell us about your multifaceted role at Design Ripples?

As Design Ripples’ primary leader, I wear multiple hats across design, people, and project management. My role encompasses both creative leadership and business responsibility. Although creativity drives my practice, maintaining a structured business mindset is essential in sustaining it.

As the firm expanded its business, I went in depth of my role and started guiding design outcomes, nurturing client relationships, mentoring the team, and making critical decisions during both design and execution.

What challenges have you encountered while scaling up Design Ripples?

As an entrepreneur, I have had the experience of learning and adapting. Having had a foundation in creative pursuits, the concept of scaling Design Ripples necessitated the incorporation of systems and planning.

As a result of attempting to scale Design Ripples, team building and retention have come forth as challenges. In a sector that is so inherently creative and where so many working professionals envision starting their own company, finding professionals who have a desire to advance and thrive within an entity is a rather complex process.

Although we have been able to improve as a result of solving many issues associated with scaling, doing so is a constantly evolving process that brings with its new learnings with each passing day.

As a creative professional where do you draw inspiration from? What’s your process while working on a new project?

As a creative person, I am most excited to gain knowledge of various lifestyles the client leads. Every task begins by actively listening to the client’s vision for the space, thus setting parameters.

Aside from client insights, travel and observation form the sources of my inspiration. Immersing in various settings allows me to discover how different design components can influence moods and comfort levels for individuals. I also believe that good design is achieved when I can respond well to such experiences of mankind.

 What is your entrepreneurial vision and roadmap for the future of Design Ripples?

The future for Design Ripples is in positioning the company as a high-end design brand that is recognized for its elegant design and professional delivery. Building on our existing foundation in Hyderabad, we plan to extend our services into select key markets and concentrate on delivering high-quality services.

The company will grow based on its strong value system, client-oriented mindset, and overall professional approach towards every task that we will encounter. With greater emphasis on sustainable design principles, we aim at achieving quality work through professionalism.

What has been your guiding leadership philosophy for continued success?

My guiding philosophy as an effective leader is based on integrity, consistency, and accountability. The importance of making wise, long-term sustainable, and systematic decisions has become one of the core beliefs. This allows me to reinforce key decisions through systematic actions implemented in the organization.

The idea of growing business and developing a reputation as a respected practitioner in the industry has guided me. It's measured by the strength of the relationships I make with my clients and the referral business that follows.

Sukrutha Karthik, Founder, Design Ripples

With over fourteen years of practice, Sukrutha Karthik is an accomplished leader in the architecture and planning industry. Her work style encompasses luxurious, func-tional, and deeply personalized environ-ments, transforming residences into homes that feel natural and intimate, resonating with the client’s identity.