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As Vtrio marks its 21st anniversary, we stand on the shoulders of a legacy built through resilience, innovation, and relentless hard work. This milestone is more than a number—it's a testament to our foundation, our ability to adapt, and the collective spirit that drives us forward. My heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you who made this journey possible.
Our recent Onam celebration was a beautiful reminder of what makes Vtrio special. What a day it was—filled with laughter, togetherness, and joy. Seeing everyone come together and truly enjoy the moment was deeply fulfilling. These shared experiences are the heartbeat of our culture.
As we step into Q3, we do so with eyes wide open. The IT services industry continues to face headwinds—be it the Trump-era tariffs or the recent H-1B visa shock. But let us remember: this industry was born in challenge and has thrived through disruption. We've overcome before, and we will again.
Meanwhile, AI continues to reshape the world around us. From NPUs and TPUs powering next-gen devices to the rise of AI-enabled home appliances, we are witnessing a shift from "smart" to truly intelligent living. Global AI spending is projected to reach $1.5 trillion in 2025—a staggering figure that underscores the scale of transformation underway.
Closer to home, India's Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are emerging as new hubs of opportunity. The infrastructural evolution in Infopark Kochi is a clear signal of the future - let's hope. This expansion not only diversifies talent but also strengthens our regional footprint.
To the entire Vtrio family—thank you. Your dedication, creativity, and commitment continue to inspire. As we gear up for the next quarter, don't miss the celebrations and crew connect lined up over the coming months. Let's take time to honour our journey, recharge, and step boldly into what's next.
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Q: How has your role as Creative Director evolved with the rise of AI tools in design and development?
A: I spend less time doing design work myself and more time managing and guiding my UI/UX team. AI tools like Figma AI, Canva's AI features, and Adobe Firefly help with repetitive tasks like creating wireframes, layouts, and style ideas. I can focus on mentoring the team and making sure designs are consistent and user-friendly. AI allows the team to try new ideas faster and spend more time on creative problem-solving. I see AI as a helpful tool that improves our work, not something that replaces designers.
Q: What does a typical workday look like for you now compared to before AI became mainstream in creative workflows?
A: Before AI: I spent most of my day on manual design tasks, revisions, and creating layouts from scratch. Now with AI: Tools like Figma AI, Canva AI, and Adobe Firefly handle drafts, layout suggestions, and quick design variations. I spend more time reviewing the team's work, giving feedback, and guiding the overall UX strategy. AI saves time, so I can focus on mentoring, brainstorming new ideas, and improving user experiences. Overall, my workday is now more about managing creativity and strategy rather than doing repetitive tasks.
Q: Your team uses tools like Figma, HubSpot, Canva, and video/animation platforms. In what ways has AI enhanced or transformed the way your team works with these tools?
A: Figma AI helps the team quickly create wireframes, design variations, and UI components. Canva AI makes it easier to generate graphics, social media posts, and presentation designs fast. HubSpot AI assists in creating content, automating marketing campaigns, and improving workflows. Video/animation tools with AI (like Runway or Adobe Firefly for video) speed up editing, motion graphics, and animation drafts. AI allows the team to experiment faster, reduce repetitive work, and focus more on creative problem-solving. Overall, AI improves productivity and helps maintain design quality while meeting deadlines.
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Q: When deadlines are tight but creativity naturally takes time, how do you strike a balance between delivering on time and maintaining creative quality?
A: I prioritize tasks to focus on what is most important for the project's success. AI tools like Figma AI and Canva AI help speed up drafts and design variations, saving time. I guide the team to focus on key creative decisions while letting AI handle repetitive tasks. I set realistic expectations with clients and stakeholders about timelines and quality. Even under tight deadlines, we ensure the final design is user-friendly, consistent, and creative.
Q: Can you share a project where things didn't go as planned, and how you and your team managed to overcome those challenges?
A: We once had a UI/UX project where the client changed the requirements midway, which affected the timelines. The team initially struggled to adjust because some designs were already in progress. We quickly re-prioritized tasks, used Figma AI to generate new wireframes and layouts faster, and divided work efficiently among team members. I held short daily check-ins to track progress and address issues immediately. In the end, we delivered the project on time without compromising quality and learned to handle mid-project changes more effectively in the future.
Q: How do you personally deal with creative blocks, and what strategies do you use to help your team push through them?
A: When I face a creative block, I take short breaks, go for a walk, or look for inspiration from other designs. I encourage the team to share ideas openly in brainstorming sessions to overcome blocks together. AI tools like Figma AI, Canva AI, and Adobe Firefly help generate new design ideas or variations quickly, sparking creativity. I also suggest small exercises, like redesigning simple components or trying new styles, to get the team unstuck. These strategies help both me and the team stay creative, productive, and motivated even under pressure.
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Working in the IT industry, especially in a fast-paced software firm like Vtrio, is nothing short of a wild ride. Technology evolves literally every day. What we mastered last year is often outdated this year. AI is transforming how we think, code, and create. Frameworks change, languages evolve, and client expectations grow—but through all of it, we've kept adapting, learning, and building. And that's something to be proud of.
One of the most inspiring things about working Vtrio is that the founders have never distanced themselves from the day-to-day work. They've rolled up their sleeves right alongside us — solving technical problems, joining client calls, staying late when deadlines were tight. That kind of leadership doesn't just drive performance; it builds trust.
Their belief in the team and their hands-on approach during critical times has been one of the biggest reasons we've made it this far. It's rare to find leadership that listens, supports, and trusts the team as much as they do.
I also want to give a big shout-out to everyone I work with today. You all make the workdays feel less like "work" and more like collaboration among passionate, curious minds. Whether it's solving bugs together, geeking out over new tools, debating architecture decisions, or just sharing memes in between tasks—it's been an awesome experience.
And of course, to those who were once a part of this journey but have moved on—you'll always be a part of our story. Your contributions helped shape our codebase, our processes.
So here's to the long nights, the tough deadlines, the big wins, the failures we learned from, the never-ending updates from the tech world, and the fact that we're still standing strong—innovating, collaborating, and growing.
Happy Anniversary to all of us. Let's keep building what's next.
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I joined Vtrio on October 25, 2005, and today marks 20 wonderful years with the company. Over these two decades, I have gathered countless memories that I deeply cherish.
When I first joined, our office was located in a house in Kadavanthra. Later, we moved to Vyttila and then to Infopark. At that time, apart from Vinu, there was also a director named Anil Madhavan. From those early days until now, I have received unwavering support from the company in every possible way.
The annual company outings, and celebrations like Onam and Christmas, are all filled with fond memories. I have always maintained a good relationship with our clients, some of whom continue to stay connected even today — something I truly consider a blessing.
Through all the ups and downs, I cannot thank Vinu enough for leading Vtrio with such dedication and vision over the years. The most challenging period was during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet Vinu's determination to keep the company moving forward was truly inspiring.
Many colleagues have come and gone, but I feel grateful to have built and maintained positive relationships with all of them. Staying with an organization for 20 years requires genuine support, and I am fortunate to have received that from my very first year at Vtrio.
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Traditionally, design and development have been viewed as two distinct disciplines. Designers focus on aesthetics, usability, and the overall user experience, while developers translate those ideas into functional digital products. Both skill sets are essential, but as technology and workflows evolve, the boundary between the two is becoming increasingly blurred.
Today, many organizations are discovering the value of individuals who possess a combination of design sensitivity and technical proficiency. These hybrid professionals can visualize creative concepts and also understand the practical steps required to bring them to life through code. This dual expertise creates efficiency, fosters innovation, and ultimately enhances the quality of the final product.
Why This Matters
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Reduced Handoffs and Faster Execution
When one person can manage both design and development tasks, teams spend less time on handoffs and clarification. Ideas move from concept to execution more quickly, resulting in faster project delivery and improved productivity.
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Balanced and Feasible Solutions
Professionals who understand both design and technology can evaluate ideas through both lenses—creative and technical. This helps in developing solutions that are visually appealing, technically sound, and aligned with business goals.
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High-Fidelity Prototypes
Instead of relying solely on static mockups, hybrid professionals can produce interactive prototypes that closely represent the final experience. This allows stakeholders to visualize functionality early in the process and make better-informed decisions.
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Improved Collaboration
A person fluent in both disciplines acts as a bridge between design and development teams. They can communicate effectively, anticipate challenges, and ensure that the design vision is preserved through to the final implementation.
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Adaptability in a Changing Landscape
With digital tools and frameworks evolving rapidly, professionals with both design and coding expertise can adapt more easily to new technologies, ensuring continued relevance and agility in dynamic project environments.
How It Translates into Real Work
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A designer capable of building responsive layouts using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
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A developer who considers user experience, accessibility, and visual consistency while writing code.
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A team member who can seamlessly move between design tools like Figma and actual front-end implementation.
The Value of Hybrid Thinkers
The ability to combine design thinking with technical execution is no longer an optional skill—it is becoming a key differentiator. Professionals who bridge the gap between creativity and technology bring greater value to teams, enabling them to deliver digital experiences that are both elegant and effective.
In an environment where innovation and efficiency are vital, having someone who understands both design and code is an investment in stronger, faster, and more cohesive outcomes.
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