Rituporn Gogoi is Assam's most prolific music artist and, indeed, a one-stop artist for album covers, where the cultural soul of the Northeast is executed with contemporary design aesthetics. From Alakananda to working with influential musicians like Sannidhya Bhuyan, Gogoi seamlessly weaves the essence of the region into each piece, mapping the traditional spirit with today's visual trends. In this interview, Rituporn shares his creative journey, balancing his role as a UI designer at Flipkart with his passion for music and what he envisions for the future of music-related art in Assam.
1. What is your approach to integrating the cultural essence of the Northeast with modern design trends in your album artwork?
It depends on the song's genre or concept—whether it's folk or experimental," he says. Rituporn closely monitors the new designs while blending in elements of relevance to the song, making sure each piece is fresh while it resonates locally. That delicate balance has distinguished him in an artistic landscape that evolves rapidly.
What inspires you to work on projects like Alakananda or artists like Sannidhya Bhuyan? How does it connect while doing your designs?
For me, it is all about feeling the music first, says Rituporn. Before he sets out to create a design for a song, he begins by listening to the demo tracks to get a vibe of the energy and emotion in that song. His design philosophy might be simple, but it is undoubtedly powerful: to capture all the spirit of the song without overcomplicating the visuals so that, in the end, each of his pieces becomes memorable as well as impactful.
3. How do you keep your corporate role as UI designer at Flipkart harmonious with your passion about creating album art?
According to Rituporn, both fields inspire him in different ways. "Corporate work is more structured and focused on user experience, while music projects give me the freedom to experiment and dive into my imagination," he says. Switching between these roles keeps him creatively invigorated.
4. What inspired you to come up with the visual for Alakananda? How do you relate visually to the track?
Rituparno credits the inspiration from the song's team. "I wanted to capture in the art the song's so serene, powerful feel to it. The tranquil feel of the jungle with a stream and flowers was chosen to make it calm," he says about the central glow in the artwork standing for inner light and power that the song brings on.
5. With your expertise as a trendsetter in album artwork, do you find a sustainable future for visual artists in Assam and Northeast?
He admits that the sector is still small, "For now, it's more about passion and side income than a full-time career." He hopes demand for album artwork and visual design increases, paving the way for aspiring artists in the region.
6. With album art forming an integral part of song identity, what is your dream for music-related design in the Northeast?
He is of the opinion that rapid changes in music design are due to digital platforms, and Rituporn believes that regional artists, such as his friend Samiran, are already experimenting with some stunning visuals. This trend will result in more demand for creative designs and will open more avenues for Northeast-based artists.
7. What other interests do you have, other than art and design?
When not working, Rituporn enjoys binge-watching shows, scrolling through social media, and has recently taken up chess and badminton to unwind.
Through this conversation, we gain insight into Rituporn Gogoi's visionary mind, pushing the boundaries of album art in Assam and the Northeast. His ability to blend tradition with modern artistry marks him as a significant force in the creative industry, shaping the visual landscape of the region's music scene.