People often pause when they hear the name SardineMother. It’s a direct translation of chaalathalla, a name I was called for being loud, quirky, and a little too much. Instead of resisting it, I embraced it. SardineMother was born from that choice. We’re here to question the status quo, what is considered “classy,” who gets to define taste, and why certain voices are always centred while others are sidelined.
SardineMother Studio is a design practice rooted in culture, politics, and people. We work at the intersection of branding, visual storytelling, and cultural commentary, building identities that don’t just look good, but carry meaning. Like sardines, we believe in collective, intentional action. In a world obsessed with being sharks, we choose to move together, accessible, thoughtful, and deliberate. Our work is shaped by everyday narratives from Kerala and the Malabar region, and by lived experiences often ignored in mainstream branding. We believe design is never neutral; every choice reflects values and power, and we’re intentional about the ones we make.
We may not be a large team (yet) , but we offer focused thinking, hands-on involvement, and a high level of commitment to every project. In addition, we collaborate with a trusted network of specialized design professionals across the country, assembling the right expertise based on each client’s needs and project requirements.
Riya Cherada
Creative Head
Devika Gopinathan
Graphic Designer
Naveen Mathew
UI UX Intern
People often pause when they hear the name SardineMother. It’s a direct translation of chaalathalla, a name I was called for being loud, quirky, and a little too much. Instead of resisting it, I embraced it. SardineMother was born from that choice. We’re here to question the status quo, what is considered “classy,” who gets to define taste, and why certain voices are always centred while others are sidelined.
SardineMother Studio is a design practice rooted in culture, politics, and people. We work at the intersection of branding, visual storytelling, and cultural commentary, building identities that don’t just look good, but carry meaning. Like sardines, we believe in collective, intentional action. In a world obsessed with being sharks, we choose to move together, accessible, thoughtful, and deliberate. Our work is shaped by everyday narratives from Kerala and the Malabar region, and by lived experiences often ignored in mainstream branding. We believe design is never neutral; every choice reflects values and power, and we’re intentional about the ones we make.
We may not be a large team (yet) , but we offer focused thinking, hands-on involvement, and a high level of commitment to every project. In addition, we collaborate with a trusted network of specialized design professionals across the country, assembling the right expertise based on each client’s needs and project requirements.
Riya Cherada
Creative Head
Devika Gopinathan
Graphic Designer
Naveen Mathew
UI UX Intern
People often pause when they hear the name SardineMother. It’s a direct translation of chaalathalla, a name I was called for being loud, quirky, and a little too much. Instead of resisting it, I embraced it. SardineMother was born from that choice. We’re here to question the status quo, what is considered “classy,” who gets to define taste, and why certain voices are always centred while others are sidelined.
SardineMother Studio is a design practice rooted in culture, politics, and people. We work at the intersection of branding, visual storytelling, and cultural commentary, building identities that don’t just look good, but carry meaning. Like sardines, we believe in collective, intentional action. In a world obsessed with being sharks, we choose to move together, accessible, thoughtful, and deliberate. Our work is shaped by everyday narratives from Kerala and the Malabar region, and by lived experiences often ignored in mainstream branding. We believe design is never neutral; every choice reflects values and power, and we’re intentional about the ones we make.
We may not be a large team (yet) , but we offer focused thinking, hands-on involvement, and a high level of commitment to every project. In addition, we collaborate with a trusted network of specialized design professionals across the country, assembling the right expertise based on each client’s needs and project requirements.
Riya Cherada
Creative Head
Devika Gopinathan
Graphic Designer
Naveen Mathew
UI UX Intern