I acknowledge success, but wear it lightly: Ashwini Deshpande

The Co-Founder and Director of Elephant Design reflected on her incredible journey as she aknowleged her place in the Impact 50 Most Influential Women of 2024 list

by e4m Staff
Published: Dec 6, 2024 3:24 PM | 1 min read

Ashwini Deshpande, Co-Founder and Director of Elephant Design, reflected on her incredible journey as she aknowleged her place in the Impact 50 Most Influential Women of 2024 list for the 10th time. Taking the audience back to 2015 when she was first recognized, she humorously recalled, “I was like, do they even know I exist?” She expressed her admiration for the meticulous curation and enduring legacy of the award, congratulating the Impact team for their commitment to celebrating excellence.

Deshpande shared a valuable lesson imparted by her father, who advised her to acknowledge success but “wear it lightly” and remain focused on her work. This philosophy continues to guide her as she strives to make a meaningful impact from her studio in Pune, creating designs that drive positive change.

A design industry stalwart, Ashwini and her team at Elephant Design have garnered numerous accolades for their impactful work. Among their achievements is the e4m logo itself, designed during the challenging days of 2021’s COVID-19 pandemic—a testament to their creativity and resilience.

As she concluded her speech, Deshpande expressed her gratitude and reiterated her dedication to crafting thoughtful and innovative designs that make a difference. Her journey stands as an inspiring example of persistence, creativity, and purpose in the world of design.