2021 Mayor's Arts Award Nominee: Shantanu Suman
Why are the arts important in Muncie? What do the arts do for the community?
Arts and culture are crucial for Muncie and every other community that wants to stay and grow together. During the last few years, I’ve attended numerous arts events that have bound people to each other and the Muncie community. The arts bring people together, both physically and culturally. Historically, it’s the first and the most prominent storytelling process, not just within a community but also for anyone interested in learning about the community. As a result, arts and culture create social capital and are one of the biggest revenue generators for any thriving community.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m Shantanu Suman—a Graphic Designer and an Art Director from India currently living in Muncie with my wife, son, and our dog. After working for over six years with several advertising agencies in India including Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy & Mather, McCann, and Publicis, I moved to the United States in 2010 to pursue my master’s degree from the University of Florida. In 2013, I moved to Asheville, NC and co-founded Open Door Design Studio (ODDS) with a couple of friends. In 2016, I joined Ball State University as an Assistant Professor of Visual Communication, and in 2017 I founded Studio 165+, a design studio course through which my students work with multiple regional, national, and international clients.
I call myself a:
In a career spanning over seventeen years, I have worked as aGraphic Designer, Creative Director, Documentary Filmmaker, small business owner, and an educator.
What do you wish others knew about your practice? What is a fun fact about what you do?
A lot of people still think that graphic designers mostly create logos and posters. And while that might be true for some people, a lot of graphic designers these days are multidisciplinary and work across multiple mediums. Some of the non-traditional projects that I have worked on include the exterior design of a shipping container, exhibition design, a wall mural, and directing a documentary film.
Where can people see your work or learn more about you?
Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/sumanshantanu/
Personal Website: www.shantanusuman.com (Work in Progress)
Studio 165+ website: www.studio165plus.com/
Studio 165+ Instagram: www.instagram.com/studio165plus
What is your favorite part about being an artist or creative in Muncie?
I’m lucky to be at a point in my career where I can share and gain experiences through my professional practice. As a practicing designer and a design educator, I’m thankful for all the opportunities in Muncie that have led to meaningful collaborations and community-related projects, both for my students and myself.
If you could change one thing about the arts in Muncie, what would it be?
I don’t think the arts in Muncie needs any changes. A change would mean that we are doing something that shouldn’t have been donein the first place. In fact, I think that we need a lot more of the art related events and activities. I believe that the arts and artists in Muncie need more support to prosper.