Meet Ayisha Siddiqua | Designer + Art Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ayisha Siddiqua and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ayisha, what are you inspired by?
I’m most inspired by the everyday – the quiet, unspoken moments that often go unnoticed. Whether it’s someone laughing with their baby or tossing a ball to their dog, I’m drawn to human behavior and the emotions behind it. I love observing people – not just at the surface level, but really watching how they move, react, and connect. That curiosity is at the core of how I approach art and design.

For me, it’s about creating experiences – work that’s thoughtful, emotionally grounded, and still fun to look at. I like to strike a balance between meaning and visual appeal, because let’s be honest, art does make the world better, especially when it captures attention and heart.

I pull inspiration from everywhere – nonfiction books, documentaries, deep-dive internet spirals — anything that helps me understand how we think, behave, feel and attract.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Over the years, I’ve realized that the more open-minded I become, the more meaningful my work gets. Being willing to shift my perspective, challenge my own assumptions, and stay receptive to change has shaped not only my art, but who I am as a person.
Living in New York has played a massive role in that evolution. The city is endlessly inspiring – from strangers on the subway to the way sunlight hits a building in the late afternoon – there’s always something that sparks an idea!
Getting to where I am now hasn’t been easy. Moving alone to America and starting over was both exciting and intimidating. But the challenges taught me the value of resilience. I learned how to advocate for myself, how to adapt, and how to stay grounded through change.
It’s all about looking closer, listening better and designing with your heart.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oof, this one’s tough. I live in New York City so the list is endless. I’m a big park person, so Central Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park are always top of my list. Nothing beats fresh air (especially if you’re coming from a super polluted city).

For skyline views and a good drink, I’d say The Roof at Public Hotel or Mr. Purple – great vibes, even better sunsets. If you’re into art, gallery hopping in Chelsea or the Lower East Side is a must. NYC’s full of artists from every cultural background, so it’s never boring.

Food-wise, brace yourself: C as in Charlie, Kanyakumari, Gotham Social, Cafe Panna, Din Tai Fung, Mamazul, Soothr – I could go on forever. I’d also take you to Brooklyn for the music scene (the club energy is real there), and obviously shopping in SoHo because… it’s SoHo. Would probably also take you to thrift stores around the city because thats big here too!

Yah I know this is all very Manhattan-heavy but hey, I’m still working on exploring the other boroughs too!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I moved to America about five years ago and the friendships I’ve built here have deeply shaped who I am — they’ve challenged me, grounded me, and helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. Around that time, someone I worked with during grad school at SCAD gave me a copy of Dare to Lead by Brenée Brown. That book shifted my perspective , especially on the things I didn’t realize I was holding onto. Both the people and the ideas I’ve encountered since moving here have played a huge role in how I see myself and the work I want to do

Website: https://ayisha-sid.com

Instagram: @ayisha.jpg

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/designsbyayisha/