- Brand Identity
- Product Design
- 3D Modeling
- Packaging Design
- Physical Prototyping
A collectible blind box series reimagining the South Asian Symbols through contemporary pop culture
- Project Type
- Senior Design Capstone
- Role
- Independent Designer
- Timeline
- Jan – May 2026
- Tools
- Blender, Nomad Sculpt, Procreate, Figma
Existing Challenges
Problem Context
As South Asian actors, musicians, designers, and creators gain greater visibility on the global stage, South Asian fashion, art, and cultural traditions are reaching wider audiences than ever before.
At the same time, South Asian communities continue to face prejudice and discrimination, creating a disconnect between the celebration of culture and the lived experiences of the people it belongs to.
This Raises the Question
How can contemporary design preserve the stories behind cultural symbols while making them meaningful to new audiences?
Going Back to the Culture
Folklore m…
The Drishti Bommai is a centuries-old South Asian protective figure rooted in the belief of nazar —the idea that envy or ill intent can manifest as harm. Traditionally depicted with exaggerated, Asura-inspired features, these figures are designed to attract and absorb negative energy before it reaches the people, homes, or businesses they protect.
Found everywhere from rooftops and storefronts to vehicles and construction sites, the Drishti Bommai has continually adapted to new contexts while preserving its cultural purpose. Its visual language balances intimidation with humor, using exaggeration not as ornamentation, but as a functional tool for protection.
As contemporary design increasingly favors minimalism and universal aesthetics, symbols like the Drishti Bommai reveal an alternative approach—one that embraces bold visual expression, cultural specificity, and storytelling.
How might we create a contemporary product that celebrates South Asian identity while engaging global audiences?
Psychology Behind The Idea
The Power of Collectables
Collectibles become more than objects—they carry personal meaning and reflect identity, memories, and interests. Collecting also creates opportunities for people to connect through trading, sharing, and discovering others with similar passions. Together, these experiences transform collectibles into symbols of community and belonging.
The Story Behind The Name
Tamil Root
கண்
kan
“Eye” — referencing the watchful gaze at the heart of the Drishti Bommai's protective symbolism.
Variation
கண்ணு
kannu
Eyes are also a term of endearment, by adding the suffix to the word, it becomes a term of endearment
Becomes
KANNU MA
THE WATCHFUL ONES — A contemporary name for a family of collectible guardians — turning a tradition of protection into a guardian you can call your own.
Final Product
Process
Senior Show Exhibition
Reflection
A Chance to Try Something New
I used my senior capstone as an opportunity to try things I had never done before and make something that felt more personal to me.
Throughout the project, I learned how to 3D sculpt with new software, work with resin printing, and think about how a concept could grow into physical merchandise and collectibles.
It also gave me a chance to learn more about my South Indian culture and find my own way of sharing parts of it through design.
More than anything, this project reminded me how much I enjoy learning through making and figuring things out as I go, and I hope to bring this thinking to my future projects!