Founders & Makers
Deepali M.G Kavalani
Founder of We Design Global
Sometimes, the best professional connections happen in the most unexpected ways. I first crossed paths with Deepali during a demanding client project, where her sharp eye for design and strategic clarity instantly stood out. But the real serendipity happened later, when I walked into my BNI chapter and saw her sitting right there in the room. Running into a familiar, trusted face in a new space brought an immediate wave of comfort and ease. As the founder of We Design Global, Deepali Kavalani doesn't just create logos; she architects brand identities that bridge commercial strategy with pure aesthetic intuition. Here is a look behind the pixels with one of the most thoughtful brand architects I have met.
By Jessica Asher, Founder Socioholics
Aug 2026
5 min read
The "Identity Architect" | Social Konnections Q&A
- The "Backstory"
Who are you when the stylus is down?
I’m naturally curious, observant and probably more analytical than people expect from a designer. I’m fascinated by why people are drawn to certain things; a brand, a space, a product and what creates that immediate sense of connection.
My education probably reflects that combination. I studied at Parsons School of Design in New York and later completed a masters in Entrepreneurship at UCL. One taught me how to think creatively, and the other taught me how to think commercially. We Design Global really sits at the intersection of those two worlds.
Outside work, I’m someone who loves travelling, discovering new places, good food, conversations and constantly finding inspiration in things that have nothing to do with a design brief.
If you want the hidden layer: I only learnt to play Mahjong a few months ago, but I’ve really gotten into it. I love how strategic it is. You’re given a set of tiles and have to figure out the best way to play them. In a way, it reminds me of life. You don’t always choose the hand you’re dealt, but you can choose how strategically play it.
- The Spark
When did the vision become your reality?
It wasn’t one dramatic lightbulb moment. It happened gradually as I realised that the part of design I loved most wasn’t simply making something look good, it was figuring out strategically what a business should feel like.
I loved taking something that existed as an idea in someone’s head and giving it a personality, a voice and a visual world that other people could immediately understand. Once I experienced that transformation with clients, I knew that was the kind of work I wanted to build my career around. That’s also what pushed me to eventually go out on my own: I wanted more ownership. I didn’t want to just execute someone else’s brief, I wanted to understand the core of the business, work directly with the business owners behind it and help shape the idea from the beginning. That’s what pushed me to start We Design Global.
- The "Fuel"
What keeps the creativity sharp?
I’m inspired by brands that create an entire ecosystem around themselves; not just a logo. I want We Design Global to keep moving in that direction: creating brands that are strategic, memorable and strong enough to grow internationally. On staying curious day to day right now, it’s definitely the world of AI. I listen to podcasts and follow creators who are finding clever ways to incorporate AI into their day-to-day work to improve productivity and efficiency. I’m constantly curious about new tools and how they can make the way we work smarter, without losing the human thinking and creativity behind it.
- The "Grit"
When the canvas stayed blank.
I’ve had projects where I kept creating more and more options, because I thought another option would solve the problem. I eventually learnt that sometimes the problem isn’t the design; it’s the lack of clarity before we start a project. Now, I make sure every client completes a comprehensive questionnaire at the start of the project, so our design decisions are grounded in their responses and a clear understanding of their brand.
That project taught me about design process. The bigger growth moment came from learning to move from designer to business owner. When you start a creative business, you quickly realise your design skills are only one part of the equation. You have to learn pricing, sales, client management, operations, team management, negotiation and when to say no.
Building We Design Global forced me to become comfortable with things that weren’t naturally part of being a designer.
- The "Why"
What is the soul behind the symbol?
There are incredible businesses with great products, great founders and great ideas that are being underestimated simply because their brand isn’t communicating their true value. My goal is to close that gap; to make the outside finally match how good the business is on the inside. That’s the work, and here’s why it matters to me personally: one of my favourite moments is when a founder sees their new identity and says, “This feels like us.” Suddenly something that has lived in their head, becomes tangible. And something interesting often happens after that. They become more confident presenting the business. They become clearer about who they are. They start charging differently, communicating differently and thinking bigger.
That’s when branding becomes much more powerful than aesthetics. It changes how other people perceive the business, but sometimes it also changes how the founder perceives it.
- The "Purpose"
The Mark you leave behind.
I’d love for We Design Global to be known for building memorable brands with longevity. Visual identities that aren’t driven by trends, but are strong enough to evolve as the businesses behind them scale. Ultimately, I want us to build brands that people recognise, remember and connect with. The full-circle moment would be seeing those brands we’ve helped build become recognised names themselves, and knowing we played a small part in their journey.
The "Quick Konnections"
Best place for a "thinking" coffee in the city when you're stuck on a concept?
Boon Meadows Villages or Terra Eatery
One book, podcast, or artist that completely changed your creative perspective?
How I Built This, a podcast by Guy Raz. I love hearing the imperfect stories behind businesses that eventually look inevitable from the outside. It's a reminder that almost every great company went through periods of uncertainty, reinvention and figuring things out as they went.
The one piece of advice you'd give your younger self on the day you bought your first MacBook?
To Learn the business of creativity as seriously as you learn the craft. Being able to create something beautiful will open doors. Understanding people, business and value will determine what you do once you're inside.
The business network or community you can't stop raving about and why it keeps you inspired?
BNI Konnectors Being around people from completely different industries has taught me a lot about business, relationships and how valuable the right connection can be. It has played a big role in my personal and professional growth, opening me up to new perspectives, different ways of doing business and conversations I may not have otherwise been exposed to.