Learning, teaching and sharing experiences are an integral part of our lives. Pecha Kucha Nights is an incredible platform to do so, with a global agenda to get people to talk about what they love and enjoy. In a format of 20 slides with 20 seconds per slide, one gets an insight into numerous adventures and passion of people that are actually living it. With its presence in almost 300 cities and over 60 events a month, Pecha Kucha serves as an excellent platform to network with like minded creative people.

We at 17dnorth are proud to be an organizing partner with Pecha Kucha Nights Hyderabad chapter. With 8 volumes and a wide variety of speakers having showcased their passion from Photography to Biking, advertising, Automobile Design, Travel Adventures and much more, PKN hyderabad is a platform bringing together passionate and creative people to bond over a cup of Chai and Samosas.

Organizing the event is an experience in itself, right from interacting with people wanting to present, to designing posters and actually watch them spin magic has been an enthusiastic ride for us so far. The recently concluded volume 8 had an eclectic mix of speakers which created an amazing environment of Individuality. An IT consultant spoke about the importance of knowing your tools to create better graphics, a woman biker presented on her biking adventures, a theatre personality showcased his passion for performing arts. Then we had a game designer who lives, eats and drinks only games educate people how gaming can bring about a social change, an architect who shared his experiences in Italy, an another theatre personality presenting on popular 5′s of life, a user experience designer presented why we do what we do? and finally a photographer who shared his journey and how photography happened to him. It was an amazing evening for the audience and there was something for the each one of us to take back as an individual.

Pecha Kucha Nights as an event has really helped us know about new things, discover new talent and also grow along with it. Every event is something we always look forward to, meeting new people, sharing experiences and understanding their passions. Organizing such an event has also helped us immensely in honing our skill sets as Individuals and also as a Design Firm.

Do watch out for the event and if you do want to share something your passionate about…here is a chance!

One of the most fulfilling experiences we as a team had was when we recently interacted with the children from NGO Make A Difference. When we initially said yes to conducting a design workshop for the children, we were completely clueless as to how it would happen and what to expect. The day we arrived at the camp, by just looking at the smiling faces of the children, we realized what an awesome experience it was going to be for us.

The children being between the age group between 6 to 14, we started tentatively with basic shapes and colors, but soon realized that the kids were much smarter than what we had anticipated and extremely intelligent. They were such beautiful human beings! Full of laughter and fun! The coloring workshop was a hit and right from pineapple cake to black forest, we could see lots of colors and feelings.

But the best day was the next day when we had T-shirt painting as a part of the workshop. The children were told to paint their dreams, what they want to be, what they want to do. And the designs that came out were simply brilliant! From butterflies to balloon sellers to tigers, the metaphors were amazing. At the end of the day we left with a heart full with joy and smiles of the children who despite being under privileged had so much life and so much to give.

Looks like we are on a roll! Right on the backdrop of the anti-corruption movement, this is our contribution in a small way. Our new T-shirt designs “Ironman” and “Kaiku” want you and me to fight against corruption. Be the IronMan, ask questions!! Ask Kaiku!

Its time you “Iron out” all the issues, BE THE IRON MAN!

Why??? Kaiku re??? How often do you say that? Ask questions! Be Curious! Make the Change happen!

The Design is inspired from the towering Charminar which is the Heart of Hyderabad!

The day still remains fresh when I approached this group of uber talented people who were willing to make me a part of their team seeing my enthusiasm. Right from creating the first poster for Pecha Kucha Nights Hyderabad to naming cocktails for a restaurant to creating graphics – There is always that freedom given to you to explore and create. Every project is executed after it is well researched and crafted with élan – that’s what sets us apart as a Design Studio. Like creating kitsch graphics for “Nautanki Gali” a restaurant by Ohri’s actually got us to do a lot of street photography, explore the city, study graphics on trucks and auto’s to create a fun filled restaurant, where people could not only have food but interact with the ambiance. And each of our work gives each one us the ability to explore our creative side to the maximum.

We also plan to come up with our t-shirt collection showcasing the spirit of Hyderabad. As for me, making mistakes has not become a fear but a learning experience. I’ve grown up to be a confident and better person! And the togetherness at 17d helps each of us strengthen our skills and achieve all our endeavors with ease. We are still growing with each project and want to make a mark as a design studio who innovates design!

- Malvika

It’s been 3 months and it’s been great undoubtedly. I never thought I would fit into the design field but they don’t ever make you feel left out and sure it’s all been a learning experience and a stepping stone each day. You get involved with anything and everything you show interest in right from managing finances, content writing, business development to giving ideas for concepts and designs. From the day I joined till today 17dnorth has grown drastically in terms of confidence, work standards, time management, the works and almost everything else that I can think of. We surely are proud and it still is just the beginning for us.

We have branched our works very clearly into Branding & Identity, Interiors and Products. We recently did branding for Ohri’s 3 upcoming restaurants, smyle switches, and its definitely the kind of work that keeps the entire office on its toes lashing with ideas and concepts helping in hitting the bulls eye at last! Not only that since there’s more this team has come up with.

Sandeep, our creative head along with Harish, a close friend and an entrepreneur (Hands Media) himself started the Hyderabad Creative Network to instigate all the sleeping creative fellas in Hyderabad to light their bulbs and come together through a Japanese platform “Pecha Kucha” which allows enthusiastic and passionate individuals to share their ideas, works and network with one another and build the group. From me talking about me, it became me talking about US and that’s how every endeavor of ours is planned and carried out. We build relationships and hone perspectives. We discern our capabilities and direct our efforts to the betterment of the Company.

- Hansika

It has been an eye opener for all of us so far and we are tremendously enjoying the experience. Now hoping the guests also enjoy the environment being created by us as much as we are while designing it!

The excitement was over the top and enthusiasm at its best. Back then the most important task before us was naming our Design Studio… and we ourselves were fascinated with all the names that we came up with like – SWITCH 2 DESIGN, UTOPIA, FOOTPRINT, ABSOLUTE DESIGN, DESIGASM… but in the end good sense prevailed and we stopped at ‘17dnorth’ – geographical location of Hyderabad, the most apt name for a Design Firm. After the initial naming ceremony was over, we slowly got down to defining our strategy, our vision + mission, our values and our expertise.

But as one says that Life is full of surprises, I was no immune to it… in March 2009 we all got a shock when one of our friends decided to opt out of our venture due to personal reasons. This was a good lesson for all of us, and we started preparing for the ups and downs that we would have to tackle with smiling faces and enthusiasm. With this lesson firmly embedded in our mind and heart, we started building on our strengths and expertise day by day.

After a good experience of working on a few projects last year, I think we as a Firm have evolved for better and I am sure we are going to deliver much more in this year 2010. With the launch of our Website last month, I think we are on the right path and equally excited to create good design and make a difference!

- Sayalee