Niraj Shah : Manifesting The Ideal Proportion Of Tech & Human Imagination
Niraj Shah
Chief Design Officer
The story of Niraj Shah, a serial entrepreneur, Co-Founder of a multi disciplinary Design firm ‘ido design, and chief design officer of WeHear Innovations Pvt. Ltd., closely aligns with this design philosophy. A multidisciplinary leader, Niraj has, over the past 25 years, engraved his signature on everything from interior design to graphic design, branding, strategy, advertising, product, furniture, fashion, and films. Opportunities, not success stories, drove his journey.
Today, Niraj is on a new mission to revolutionize audio experiences at the ideal intersection of advanced technologies and human design. Building on this ethos of creativity and thoughtful design, WeHear's flagship product, the WeHear Smart Headphone, combines Niraj's innovative design approach and the Bone Conduction Technology. It sends sound to the cochlea, bypassing the eardrum through the temporal bone to produce a new audio experience.
WeHear was designed, developed and produced entirely in India, signifying how human centered design, technology and imagination can converge in making practical and progressive products. We are delighted to have an exclusive interview with Niraj, who walks us through his approaches, leadership style, and vision.
What approaches have you adopted to ensure your design strategy aligns seam lessly with the business
objectives?
Flexibility and unceasing evolution are the design strategies we are structured on. Positioning tends to be reformed by market commentary, and therefore, we respond by segmenting strategy into various components.
This is how we coordinate product, marketing and design. Our three fundamental policies are ethical practice, brand adherence, and being informed on materials, technology and market changes. This would enable us to keep agile, decrease turn around time, and develop impactful and relevant solutions.
What are the key principles and methodologies you follow when leading your team?
My leadership style is rooted in empathy, openness and leading by example. I empower others and remain solution-oriented to keep the team motivated. In addition to my organization, I have been a chairperson, committee leader and teacher, and hence, guiding and nurturing others are central to my practice.
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and developments?
I stay updated through three main avenues. First, I consume a wide range of podcasts, which allows me to multitask while gaining insights across topics from history and technology to motivation and design. Second, I read extensively, often across diverse and some times random subjects, which helps me broaden my perspective. Third, I maintain an open-door policy concerning new ideas. All these channels keep me informed, inspired, and up-to-date with the latest developments.
What is your perspective on integrating the Gen Z into the workforce?
The workforce differences between generations are natural occurrences in which the newly formed generation is energetic, flexible, and wants to be recognized. Organizations have
Flexibility and unceasing evolution are the design strategies we are structured on. Positioning tends to be reformed by market commentary, and therefore, we respond by segmenting strategy into various components.
This is how we coordinate product, marketing and design. Our three fundamental policies are ethical practice, brand adherence, and being informed on materials, technology and market changes. This would enable us to keep agile, decrease turn around time, and develop impactful and relevant solutions.
What are the key principles and methodologies you follow when leading your team?
My leadership style is rooted in empathy, openness and leading by example. I empower others and remain solution-oriented to keep the team motivated. In addition to my organization, I have been a chairperson, committee leader and teacher, and hence, guiding and nurturing others are central to my practice.
Focus on honing and mastering one key skill that adds value to your organization
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and developments?
I stay updated through three main avenues. First, I consume a wide range of podcasts, which allows me to multitask while gaining insights across topics from history and technology to motivation and design. Second, I read extensively, often across diverse and some times random subjects, which helps me broaden my perspective. Third, I maintain an open-door policy concerning new ideas. All these channels keep me informed, inspired, and up-to-date with the latest developments.
What is your perspective on integrating the Gen Z into the workforce?
The workforce differences between generations are natural occurrences in which the newly formed generation is energetic, flexible, and wants to be recognized. Organizations have
to design inclusive workplaces, empower decision-making and provide flexible working structures in order to interest them.
We are trying an experimental design in our design practice whereby we have a flexibility of hours, contributions where tasks are task based, and shared talent so as to create choice, balance and a sense of belonging.
What is the roadmap you have envisioned for yourself over the next five years?
Over the next five years, I aim to balance personal and professional growth by spending more quality time with family, expanding my role as a speaker and thought leader, and pursuing a PhD. I also plan to launch a podcast on design, life, and motivation, continue mentoring startups, and contribute as an advisory board member.
For our design and architecture practices, the focus is on short-term growth and a leadership transition to the next generation. At the same time, I remain involved as a mentor and guiding stake holder.
What is the one piece of advice you would like to pass on to future leaders?
Focus on honing and mastering one key skill that adds value to your organization while staying open to learning new things. Perfection is a myth and it is appropriate to delegate responsibilities to go with the stream and develop. Simultaneously, do not disregard personal interests and passions; pursue them without having to find the proper moment, as life is brief and there will always be new objectives to push it up and down.
Niraj Shah, Chief Design Officer, WeHear
A multidisciplinary leader, Niraj has, over the past 25 years, engraved his signature on everything from interior design to graphic design, branding, strategy advertising, product, furniture, fashion, and films.
•Hobbies: Doodling, photo- graphy, and listening to podcasts
•Favorite Book: Alchemy by Rory Sutherland
•Favorite Travel Destination: Corsica
•Favorite Cuisine: Indian
•Awards and Recognition:
State Award for Gujarati Film
We are trying an experimental design in our design practice whereby we have a flexibility of hours, contributions where tasks are task based, and shared talent so as to create choice, balance and a sense of belonging.
What is the roadmap you have envisioned for yourself over the next five years?
Over the next five years, I aim to balance personal and professional growth by spending more quality time with family, expanding my role as a speaker and thought leader, and pursuing a PhD. I also plan to launch a podcast on design, life, and motivation, continue mentoring startups, and contribute as an advisory board member.
For our design and architecture practices, the focus is on short-term growth and a leadership transition to the next generation. At the same time, I remain involved as a mentor and guiding stake holder.
What is the one piece of advice you would like to pass on to future leaders?
Focus on honing and mastering one key skill that adds value to your organization while staying open to learning new things. Perfection is a myth and it is appropriate to delegate responsibilities to go with the stream and develop. Simultaneously, do not disregard personal interests and passions; pursue them without having to find the proper moment, as life is brief and there will always be new objectives to push it up and down.
Niraj Shah, Chief Design Officer, WeHear
A multidisciplinary leader, Niraj has, over the past 25 years, engraved his signature on everything from interior design to graphic design, branding, strategy advertising, product, furniture, fashion, and films.
•Hobbies: Doodling, photo- graphy, and listening to podcasts
•Favorite Book: Alchemy by Rory Sutherland
•Favorite Travel Destination: Corsica
•Favorite Cuisine: Indian
•Awards and Recognition:
State Award for Gujarati Film