Who Is Makarand Narkar? The Designer Giving Indian Folklore a Global Visual Voice

Who is Makarand Narkar? Makarand Narkar is an Indian designer and the co-founder of Boomranng Studio, a Mumbai-based design and illustration studio that works with global brands. At 29, he is known for building a clear Indian visual language that blends folklore, pop culture, and modern design. His work spans branding, digital illustration, animation, packaging, and multi-medium creative projects.

Makarand Narkar was named to Forbes India 30 Under 30 Class of 2026 for his work in design and visual storytelling.

From Design Student to Studio Founder

Makarand Narkar studied at JJ College of Applied Arts in Mumbai. Like many design students, he began by experimenting with form, colour, and narrative. Early on, he showed interest in illustration and storytelling rooted in Indian culture.

In 2016, when Coldplay performed in Mumbai, Narkar tried and failed to get concert tickets. At the time, he was still a student. Years later, that missed concert would come full circle in an unexpected way.

Narkar later co-founded Boomranng Studio with Sonal Vasave. The studio began as an independent creative practice and grew into a full-service design studio working with global clients.

What Boomranng Studio Does

Boomranng Studio offers design services across digital illustration, branding and identity, packaging, animation, and mixed media work. The studio works with brands that want strong visual stories rather than standard layouts.

Its style draws from Indian folklore, street culture, and craft traditions. These references appear in a modern form that global audiences can read without explanation.

The studio works from Mumbai but serves clients across markets.

The Coldplay Breakthrough

One of Boomranng Studio’s key milestones came through a direct message on Instagram. A member of Coldplay’s team reached out to the studio. At first, Narkar assumed it was spam. A follow-up email confirmed it was real.

Boomranng became the only Indian studio selected to create a short animation for Coldplay’s project A Film for the Future, linked to the band’s 2024 album Moon Music. The work involved artists from 45 countries.

The collaboration did not stop there. Soon after, Coldplay returned with a larger brief. Boomranng Studio was asked to create the visual identity for the Music of the Spheres Concert World Tour, India 2025.

The Ahmedabad concert drew over 134,000 people. The livestream reached more than 8 million viewers. Boomranng designed the opening titles, overlays, animations, and posters. The visuals used planets, stars, and cosmic forms, shaped by Indian graphic sensibilities.

The project won the Kyoorius Blue Elephant Award.

Global Projects With an Indian Core

Boomranng Studio has worked with a wide range of global brands. These include Apple, Nike, Coca-Cola, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, Spotify, Pepsi, The Guardian, and Manchester United.

The studio was also the only Indian team invited to create explainer animation videos for the 2024 Paralympics. Another major milestone was designing the Google Doodle for India’s 79th Independence Day.

In a Nike project called Nike By You, Boomranng created illustrations based on Mumbai. These designs appeared on apparel and became part of one of Nike’s best-selling collections.

Across projects, the studio keeps its visual roots intact.

A Design Language Built on Folklore

Makarand Narkar believes Indian folklore does not need simplification to travel globally. Instead, it needs honest translation through form and story.

Boomranng’s work uses myth, local symbols, and everyday Indian scenes without nostalgia. The result feels current and direct.

This approach challenges old ideas that global design must look neutral or Western.

Beyond Client Work

Boomranng Studio is also building its own creative universe called Cosmicpunk. This includes art collectibles, paintings, sculptures, rugs, and wearable pieces. The aim is to extend illustration into physical form.

The project reflects the studio’s interest in long-term visual worlds rather than single campaigns.

Why Makarand Narkar Is in the News

Makarand Narkar is in the news for shaping a confident Indian design voice that works across borders. His work shows that local culture and global design can sit in the same frame.

The Forbes India 30 Under 30 recognition highlights this shift in Indian creative work.

As brands look for clear identity and original stories, studios like Boomranng continue to stand out.


Most Searched FAQs About Makarand Narkar and Boomranng Studio

Q1. Who is Makarand Narkar?
Makarand Narkar is an Indian designer and co-founder of Boomranng Studio, based in Mumbai.

Q2. What is Boomranng Studio?
Boomranng Studio is a design and illustration studio that works on branding, animation, and visual storytelling for global brands.

Q3. What work did Boomranng do for Coldplay?
The studio created the visual identity for Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres Concert World Tour, India 2025.

Q4. Which brands has Boomranng Studio worked with?
Its clients include Apple, Nike, Coca-Cola, Google, Netflix, and others.

Q5. What design style is Boomranng known for?
The studio blends Indian folklore with modern illustration and global design language.

Q6. Why is Makarand Narkar in the news?
He was named to Forbes India 30 Under 30, Class of 2026, for his work in design and visual culture.

Sakshi Singh

Sakshi Singh is a dedicated writer at Arise Times, with a passion for covering the worlds of influencers, startups, technology, and inspiring biographies. Known for her engaging storytelling and in-depth research, Sneha brings fresh perspectives on the people and ideas shaping today’s digital landscape. Her articles aim to inform, inspire, and connect readers with the latest trends and success stories from around the world.

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