Arts Thread

Riya Mahajan is a digital storyteller and 3D visual artist driven by impact-focused design. With an MA in Digital Direction from the Royal College of Art, London, and a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design from India’s National Institute of Design, she has collaborated with global clients like Adobe. Her current work focuses on immersive experiences and interaction design. Her venture, DeepDive XR, was a Terra Carta Design Lab finalist for its groundbreaking VR project, 'Whale Fall'. This immersive experience spotlights the devastating impact of marine plastic pollution on whales, creating an interactive deep-sea environment that invites audiences to engage with the issue firsthand. 'Whale Fall' has been showcased at the IRCAM forum, the London Design Festival, and the SXSW RCA showcase. Riya’s 'Moody Monsters' project explores emotional literacy in children, using a co-creation workshop where kids express and understand their emotions through art. The result was a digital sculpture garden that helps children navigate their feelings in a creative and engaging way, furthering Riya’s dedication to using design for social impact.