Christopher Richard Studio Carbon reflects a growing shift in Indian design. Products are no longer judged only by how they look. They are judged by how they work, how they age, and how they fit into larger systems. At 28, Christopher Richard is the co-founder and director of industrial design at Studio Carbon, a Gandhinagar-based studio with a global footprint.

Studio Carbon works across industrial design, product systems, hardware styling, and brand identity. The studio operates from Gujarat and the Netherlands and serves clients in India, the US, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia. Richard plays a central role in shaping how complex technology becomes usable products.

Early Exposure to Engineering and Observation

Christopher Richard did not start as a design student. He began as a mechanical engineering undergraduate at Shiv Nadar University in Greater Noida. During this time, he spent long hours observing migratory birds near the wetlands around the campus.

Richard has said these birds shaped his thinking. Their feathers, beaks, and movement showed him how nature balances form and function. Nothing existed without purpose. Every detail served a role.

While engineering was his main subject, he chose design as a minor. That choice changed how he saw machines and objects. He began to think beyond mechanics and toward user experience.

Choosing Design as a Career

After completing his undergraduate studies, Richard joined the National Institute of Design to study product design. At NID, he focused on industrial design and product development.

He often says engineering creates structure, while design defines use. At NID, he learned how design decisions affect manufacturing, cost, safety, and scale. He also learned that design and engineering cannot function in isolation.

This education shaped his approach. Products should be clear, durable, and easy to understand. They should respect both the user and the system they belong to.

The Birth of Studio Carbon

Studio Carbon was founded in 2018 by a group of nine designers and engineers. The founding team included Jitesh Devadiga, Manikanta Polisetti, Gonga Naveen Kumar, Itika Gupta, Mani Teja, Shubham Raut, Swapnil Soni, Neel Mehta, and Christopher Richard.

The group shared one view. Design should solve real problems. It should not exist only for aesthetics. The studio positioned itself at the intersection of technology, systems thinking, and storytelling.

Studio Carbon set up its main base in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Later, it opened operations in Zoetermeer in the Netherlands. This helped the studio work closely with European clients and global partners.

Working Across Sectors and Borders

Studio Carbon works with startups, public institutions, and large companies. Its client list includes Indian deep-tech startups such as Pixxel, Dhruva Space, CynLr, NexStem, and BlissClub.

The studio has also collaborated with government-linked bodies like ISRO and IN-SPACe. On the corporate side, it has worked with brands such as BSE, Titan, and Havells.

Internationally, Studio Carbon serves clients in the US, South Africa, Nigeria, the UAE, and South Korea. Richard leads industrial design work across many of these projects.

Designing for Complex Technology

One of Studio Carbon’s notable projects involved NexStem, a medtech startup working on brain-computer interface technology. The studio designed the BCI headset, brand identity, web platform, and user interface.

The challenge was not visual appeal alone. The product had to feel safe, reliable, and clear to users. Studio Carbon focused on comfort, usability, and trust.

Another key project was Pixxel’s geospatial analytics platform, Aurora. Pixxel builds satellite imaging systems. The platform helps users interpret large volumes of earth observation data. The design focused on clarity and ease of use.

For CynLr, a robotics and cybernetics lab, Studio Carbon handled industrial design, brand identity, and interior spaces. This work earned the studio the Golden Pin Design Award in 2023.

Dungse Labs and Material Research

Studio Carbon also runs an in-house initiative called Dungse Labs. The project focuses on developing biodegradable composite materials using cow dung.

The idea is simple. Take a traditional material and apply modern processing methods. The result is a bio-based composite suitable for products and building use.

Dungse Labs has received international grants and a national award from the Ministry of Animal Husbandry. Its work has been showcased at Dutch Design Week 2019, Dubai Expo 2020, and Rabobank Innovation Partnership 2023 in Europe.

This initiative reflects Richard’s interest in material systems and sustainable design.

Recognition From the Design Community

Christopher Richard’s work has drawn attention from educators and industry leaders. Praveen Nahar, director at NID, has said Richard combines technical depth with strong awareness of global challenges.

He has noted that Richard’s growth mirrors the studio’s philosophy. Focus on users. Respect systems. Solve problems at scale.

Recent Direction and Ongoing Work

In recent months, Studio Carbon has increased its work in space technology, robotics, and regulated industries. The studio now works closely with early-stage startups that require careful product planning.

Richard continues to focus on long-term design impact. He sees design as a responsibility. Products should age well. They should reduce friction. They should fit into larger systems.

As Indian startups move into hardware, space, and deep technology, design studios play a key role. Studio Carbon helps translate complex engineering into usable products.

The Christopher Richard Studio Carbon story shows how Indian designers are shaping global products. Not through style alone, but through clarity, function, and care.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Christopher Richard?
An Indian industrial designer and co-founder of Studio Carbon. He is the director of industrial design at the studio.

Q2. What is Studio Carbon?
A design agency based in India that works across industrial design, product systems, branding, and technology-driven projects.

Q3. What is Christopher Richard’s age?
Christopher Richard is 28 years old.

Q4. Which companies has Studio Carbon worked with?
Studio Carbon has worked with Pixxel, Dhruva Space, CynLr, ISRO, BSE, Titan, Havells, and several global clients.