Indian Artists Are Turning Mumbai’s Taxi Seat Covers Into Canvas

In Mumbai (India), taxis are not only a mode of transport but have also become an iconic piece of culture. Drivers put a lot of attention in decorating and fabricating the taxis to outshine their rivals. But they often fail to get any recognition as they end up using whatever fabric they get in the market while covering the interior.

Taxi Fabric is a project which allows young designers to revamp the interiors of the taxicab. It creates a space for designers to show off their talents and project their thoughts on the canvas of taxi seats. Ankita Shinde has designed a taxi. While elaborating her thought behind the design Ankita adds, "I want to tell people to pause for a bit, breathe and indulge in the small joys, feel things like yoga, writing, painting, dancing in the rain. I want to make the people feel a sense of calmness as soon as they sit inside this taxi. The illustrations I place all around the taxi interiors will serve as a mood board / suggestion board for them to do these things and feel a sense of calm in this crazy city."

Taxi Fabric says design in India is taken for granted. Older generations neither understand it nor they recognize it as a proper profession to study on. They don't know the impact it can create. With such few spaces for young talent to showcase their skills Taxi Fabric found taxi seats as the perfect platform to start showing India what design can do.

Taxi fabric is not only trying to benefit the designers but also the taxi drivers. They have experienced an increase in customer engagement. Passengers ask about the designs featured in the taxis and even pay more as their taxis stand out in a way others don't.