In the quietude of his personal sanctuary, Shrey Kathuria, a Delhi-born, London-based designer and art director, embarked on a creative journey that would become the typographic diary known as Mindspill. This project, born in late 2025, is a testament to Kathuria's evolution as an artist and his unique approach to self-expression. What makes Mindspill truly captivating is its origin story, a narrative of personal growth and transformation amidst the challenges of navigating a new city, culture, and industry.
Kathuria's day job involves directing album art and artist branding for One Little Independent Records, a label known for its bold and unconventional choices. However, Mindspill represents a different facet of his creative persona. It is a reflection of his inner world, a place where he confronts his anxieties, insecurities, and personal milestones. Each poster in the archive is a snapshot of his thoughts, feelings, and self-talk during a period of significant change.
The process behind Mindspill is as intriguing as the project itself. Kathuria starts with a simple phrase in Illustrator, then pushes it to its limits using brushes, shapes, and letters drawn on a trackpad. He even experimented with charcoal, drawing with his left hand. The vector skeleton is then moved to Photoshop, where blurs, filters, and effects are applied to create a visual tone that matches the emotional weight of the words. Some posters use experimental typesetting in InDesign, where color and texture carry the feeling, resulting in deliberately hard-to-read typography.
One of the most compelling aspects of Mindspill is its ability to convey complex emotions and experiences through simple yet powerful imagery. For instance, Number 07: Decentre All That Doesn't Serve captures a period of hollow friendships and the cultural gap between his collectivist background and London's individualism. It is rendered in 3D, shaped like a rock, symbolizing the weight of these experiences. Similarly, Number 18: Don't Burn The House That Made You is about the house in Delhi where he grew up, a place that initially made him feel embarrassed but has since become a source of love and connection.
What makes Mindspill truly special is its potential to become a shared space for typographic experimentation and emotional honesty. Kathuria plans to open it up and invite other designers to contribute posters, turning the archive into a collective journey of self-discovery and learning. This collaborative aspect adds a layer of depth and meaning to the project, making it more than just a collection of posters.
In conclusion, Mindspill is a fascinating exploration of personal growth, self-expression, and the power of art to convey complex emotions. It is a testament to Kathuria's unique approach to design and his ability to transform personal experiences into something universal and relatable. As he continues to push the boundaries of typographic experimentation, Mindspill is sure to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
