"Education has been central to Aishwarya's work since the start of her creative journey. In 2012, she founded Maisha Studio, Chennai’s leading art and design academy, where she is renowned for her unique learner-centric pedagogy. Her work spans curation, art-based social reform projects, educational reform, curriculum design, and teacher training, impacting thousands of students. Through her mentorship, she has nurtured hundreds of young artists and designers, reflecting her deep commitment to knowledge-sharing and community building."
Maisha Studio is a path-breaking space for creative education founded by Aishwarya Manivannan serving as a launch pad for young artists and designers to develop their skills and delve into the creative industries across various specializations. One of Chennai’s premier academies for Art & Design Foundation Studies, Design Thinking, Creative Programs, Education and Career Mentoring, Aishwarya is popular for her unique learner-centric pedagogy and dynamic teaching methodology.
Over the last decade, students of Maisha Studio have pursued Spatial, Fashion, Communication Design, Animation, Film and many other courses in the world's best universities. Maisha Studio shapes strong, independent thinkers, creative leaders and innovators who work with a range of media and themes using design as a element for change and impact.
Art-based Community Service
Aishwarya believes in the power of art to drive social change. Since her design studies in 2005, she has organized events like art workshops for dyslexic children and mural projects for corporation school students. She encourages her students to engage with diverse communities, helping them realize the potential of their skills to create social impact.
Her work spans projects with HIV-affected children, tribal communities, underprivileged families, and individuals with disabilities. She has established learning centers for tribal children, supported tribal resuscitation, provided COVID relief for daily wage laborers, and connected with various communities, using art as a medium for change.
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2023
Visual Art and Design Mentor – QUEST The Learning Community.
Self-directed learning space and unschooling project based on Individualized Engagement Program
2022
Visiting Faculty – Krea University, Chennai.
Designed subjects for Liberal Arts programs
2015-2020
Visiting Faculty – Loyola College, Chennai.
Loyola Institute of Vocational Education – Architecture, Interior Design, Visual Communication
2019
Visiting Faculty – National Institute of Fashion Technology, Chennai.
Taught students of Apparel, Knitwear, Fashion Accessory, and Textile Design
2013-2016
Head – Department of Visual Arts and Design, M.Ct.M International School, Chennai.
Mentored over 400 students across IB Diploma – Visual Arts, IGCSE – Art and Design
2012-2015
Guest Faculty – MOP Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai.
Interior Design Course for Spaceterior Design School
2012-2014
Consultant / Mentor – Nalandaway Foundation.
Worked on the Arts Program bringing art education to government corporation schools
2011-2014
Visiting Faculty – National College of Design, Chennai.
Bachelors in Interior Design, Fashion Design, Visual Communication
Visiting Faculty – National School of Design, Chennai.
Diploma in Interior Design, Fashion Design, Visual Communication
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Present
Book Design and Illustration – ‘Two Pink Lines’ a book on fertility by Dr. Priya Kalyani
2020
Art for COVID Relief 2020
An art fundraiser with paintings made by underprivileged children in collaboration with students of Maisha Studio. The artworks were sold to raise funds and supply grocery kits to marginalized families below the poverty line near Gummidipundi.
2019
Curriculum Development and Syllabus Design – Diploma in Visual Communication
Loyola Institute of Vocational Education, Loyola College, Chennai
Art for Social Reform – Workshop for Tribal children from Gummidipundi
The paintings produced during the workshop were exhibited as a collateral of Maisha Studio’s “Outside The Lines 2019.” Proceeds from the sale of the paintings were donated to the running of an Education Centre for Tribal Children at Ramachandrapuram.
2018
Art for Social Reform – Art Workshop for HIV-Affected Children
The paintings produced during the workshop were exhibited as a collateral of Maisha Studio’s “Outside The Lines 2018.” Proceeds from the sale and auction of the paintings made by the kids from SIP Home were donated to the SIP Memorial Trust Building Fund.
2017
Curriculum Development and Syllabus Design – Diploma in Architecture and Interior Design
Loyola Institute of Vocational Education, Loyola College, Chennai
2016
Curriculum Development and Syllabus Design – Interior Design
Hindustan University
2014
Curriculum Development and Syllabus Design – Visual Arts and Design
M.Ct.M International School, Chennai
2013
Curriculum Development and Syllabus Design
Interior, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Visual Communication – National College of Design, Chennai
Designed Art Labs for Corporation Schools – Nalandaway ‘Achieve Through The Arts’
2009
Ethnographic Research ‘Design for Development in Nepal’
Lasalle College, Singapore
2008
Art Workshop / Fundraiser for Dyslexic Children – SIET Dyslexia Centre, Chennai
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2019
Design Thinking & Portfolio Development Workshops
Department of Fashion Design, Hindustan Institute of Technology, Chennai
Department of Interior Design – JBAS College for Women, Chennai
2017
Creative Thinking Workshop – iLead Program for Women Managers, TCS Siruseri
2011-2012
Art and Design Portfolio Development Course – Ilango’s Artspace, Chennai
2014
Creativity in Education for faculty members of M.Ct.M International School
2013-2015, 2019
Digital Photography – Department of Interior Design – JBAS College, Chennai
2018
Visual Art Workshops
Impasto Palette Knife Painting Workshop, Hindustan Trading Company, Chennai
Indian Miniature Painting Workshop, Hindustan Trading Company, Chennai
Paint like Van Gogh – Acrylic Painting Workshop, Hindustan Trading Company, Chennai
Impressionism Painting Workshop – Hindustan Trading Company, Chennai
Paint Party Chennai – Acrylic Painting Workshop
2017
Van Gogh Paint Party – Wandering Artist, Chennai
2013
Storybook Illustration Workshop for children affected by Child Labour – NalandaWay and UNICEF
2012
Art Teacher’s Training Workshop for Government School Teachers – NalandaWay