Shweta Devanand Shanta Chandekar
Aries Mind Design Company
Behind every powerful brand lies a vision that combines intuition, creativity, and strategy. For Shweta Devanand Shanta Chandekar (now Shweta Hrishikesh Nerlekar – Chandekar), Founder of Aries Mind Design Company, that vision was born from an unusual blend of science and art. Though academically trained in organic chemistry, Shweta’s heart was drawn to creativity—an influence deeply rooted in her family’s 45-year legacy in commercial printing and artistic pursuits.
Founded over 14 years ago, Aries Mind Design is Shweta’s creative canvas—a space where design meets strategy, and ideas evolve into impactful brand experiences. From startups finding their voice to established names rebranding for growth, her company has become a trusted partner for businesses that seek substance beyond style.
An Inspired Beginning
Shweta’s entrepreneurial journey was shaped by her family, especially her father’s discipline and unwavering dedication to his craft. Though she lacked a formal art or design degree, her determination to learn and experiment led her straight into the heart of the creative world. Working alongside her father gave her hands-on exposure to design, printing, and communication lessons that no classroom could offer.
Her curiosity to understand why brands connect with people, not just how they look, became her defining force. For Shweta, design isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about transformation. She believes in creating communication that doesn’t just capture attention but drives business results.
Building Brands with Purpose
At Aries Mind Design, creativity is backed by strategy. The company offers comprehensive market research, brand sales funnel strategy, brand identity development, communication design across media, content marketing, and 360° video marketing.
What makes Shweta’s approach stand out is her focus on user psychology and experience design. By deeply understanding a brand’s audience, she crafts communication that resonates authentically. Her clientele spans diverse sectors hospitality, food & beverage, packaging, real estate, garments, FMCG, and bio-sustainable ventures each project reflecting thoughtful storytelling and purposeful creativity.
A Philosophy of Meaningful Design
What sets Aries Mind Design apart is its concept-driven approach. Shweta resists the lure of fleeting design trends, instead diving into the brand’s core to find insights that truly matter. “Success,” she believes, “isn’t measured by beauty alone, but by a brand’s ability to connect, engage, and grow.”
Every project is a collaborative journey where creativity meets clarity, and every visual decision is backed by strategic intent.
Overcoming Challenges with Resilience
One of Shweta’s biggest challenges was overcoming the self-doubt of not having a formal design background. In a field often dominated by academic credentials and male professionals, she faced subtle biases. Yet, these very hurdles became her greatest teachers.
Through self-study, experimentation, and an obsession with meaningful results, she redefined what expertise truly means. Her portfolio became her proof, and her outcomes spoke louder than any degree ever could.
Proud Milestones and Recognitions
Under Shweta’s leadership, Aries Mind Design has successfully revamped the brand identities of Surve Pure Non-Veg, Bapat Optics, Paradigm Group, and Mango Buildcon helping them strengthen their market presence and customer loyalty.
Her creative excellence has earned her multiple awards for Best Digital Campaign, Best Editorial Design, and Best Identity Development across four consecutive years, along with a national third prize for a social campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, for Shweta, the real reward lies in witnessing her clients grow and thrive through her creative partnership.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Shweta envisions Aries Mind Design among India’s top strategic and experience design agencies. Personally, she aspires to be recognized as one of the nation’s top 10 brand experience strategists. Her ultimate dream a collaboration with Apple remains a bold reminder of her ambition and creative hunger.
Inspired by Strong Women
Shweta draws her strength and motivation from the women in her life her mother, Shanta Chandekar; sister, Pournima Ramesh Jalindre; and mother-in-law, Dr. Gayatri Nerlekar, a healthcare professional. They have shown her that true nurturing is about impact, not appearance; substance, not noise. Their influence continues to shape her personal and professional journey.
A Message for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
To every woman dreaming of entrepreneurship, Shweta’s message is simple yet powerful:
“Don’t wait for permission to build your own door.”
She urges women to trust their instincts, seek mentors, keep learning, and take action fearlessly. Quoting Ava DuVernay, she reminds, “I’m not going to continue knocking that old door that doesn’t open for me. I’m going to create my own door and walk through it to success.”
Conclusion
From chemistry formulas to creative frameworks, Shweta Chandekar’s journey exemplifies how curiosity, courage, and conviction can transform one’s path. Through Aries Mind Design, she continues to prove that meaningful design is not about following trends, it’s about building brands with purpose, passion, and authenticity.
Email : shwetachandekar26@gmail.com
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/shwetacux/
