How Yash and Bobby Are Redefining Lifestyle Through Design at Cran Maroon

An Exclusive Interview with Yash and Bobby of Cran Maroon – a design-led lifestyle brand

In this engaging interview, Yash and Bobby, the creative minds behind Cran Maroon, share their journey of building a design-led lifestyle brand that blends aesthetics with purpose.

They discuss their inspirations, design philosophy, and how Cran Maroon continues to redefine modern living through innovative, thoughtful, and sustainable design choices.

What inspired the creation of Cran Maroon, and how did the idea evolve from concept to brand?

Cran Maroon was born out of a simple observation that most modern work and lifestyle products were either too tech-driven or too trend-focused, but rarely timeless. We felt there was a gap between functionality and emotional design, products that not only work well but also feel good to live with every day.

It started as a conversation between two brothers who shared an obsession with design, detail, and durability. We wanted to create something that sits beautifully on your desk today and still feels relevant years later — a piece that grows with you, not out of you.

From that spark grew a clear vision: to build a modern Indian brand that celebrates precision, calm, and creativity. Every decision from the tone of our visuals to the texture of our leather reflects that ethos.

Cran Maroon, in essence, was never meant to be loud. It was meant to feel balanced, minimal, inspired by mid-century aesthetics for modern creators who value both design and depth.

Can you take us through your design process—from concept sketch to final product?

Our design process always begins with function. Before we even think about aesthetics, we ask: what problem are we solving? It could be as simple as improving the laptop stand angle for better ergonomics or designing a workspace that feels visually balanced and calming.

Once the purpose is clear, the design journey begins: rough hand sketches, digital models, material trials, and small-scale prototypes. We obsess over proportions, textures, and finishes. Every curve, joint, and surface is refined until it feels intuitive, not just visually pleasing, but effortless to use.

We call it the “feel test.” If a prototype doesn’t feel right, if it’s too heavy, too bright, or lacks emotional warmth, it doesn’t move forward. Only once it passes that invisible threshold do we move to sampling, color finishing, and packaging.

Every Cran Maroon product you see is a result of dozens of revisions, each one stripping away excess until all that remains is what truly matters.

Many brands chase trends, but Cran Maroon emphasizes timeless simplicity. How do you balance creativity with consistency?

For us, creativity isn’t about adding more, it’s about refining what’s essential. The beauty of minimal design lies in restraint. We constantly ask ourselves: Can we remove this and still keep its essence intact?

Each design has to feel fresh yet belong to the same visual family, with calm tones, clean lines, warm textures, and thoughtful proportions. It’s less about reinvention and more about evolution.

Our guiding rule is simple: if a product can age gracefully, it stays. If it looks loud or feels dated six months later, it never makes it to production. That’s how we maintain consistency without falling into repetition, by creating designs that live beyond trends and seasons.

How do you define ethical craftsmanship in today’s fashion and lifestyle industry?

To us, ethical craftsmanship begins with respect for the people who make, the materials we source, and the customers who buy.

We collaborate with small-scale workshops and craftspeople who value skill over scale. Instead of rushing production or pushing for lower costs, we prioritize fair timelines and meticulous quality checks. Our goal isn’t to make the fastest product, it’s to make one that lasts.

Ethics also extend to our materials. We choose suppliers who share our values of transparency and durability. For example, the leather we use is sourced responsibly and treated in small batches, ensuring longevity rather than disposability.

Ultimately, we define ethics not by marketing labels but by intention, how something is made, how long it lasts, and how honestly it’s presented. Longevity itself is an act of sustainability.

How challenging was it to establish a design-led brand out of Vadodara, and how has the local creative scene influenced your journey?

Building a design-driven brand from Vadodara has been both grounding and liberating. In bigger cities, it’s easy to get swept up in the noise of trends and competition. Vadodara gave us clarity, space, and authenticity, the freedom to create without constant external pressure.

The city’s rich connection with art, architecture, and culture has quietly influenced our aesthetic, from the muted color palettes inspired by its heritage facades to the textural details that mirror its crafts. Vadodara’s pace allowed us to think deeply about every product we designed, to slow down and refine instead of rushing to launch.

In many ways, being here became our advantage. It proved that you don’t need a studio in Mumbai or Delhi to build something global, you just need conviction, patience, and a strong design philosophy.

What has been your biggest learning as an entrepreneur leading a modern lifestyle label?

Patience,  that’s been our biggest teacher.

When you’re building something from scratch, you imagine growth will be linear. But real progress is layered, subtle, and often invisible at first. Every delay, every obstacle, adds depth to the brand.

We learned that consistency matters more than speed, that showing up every day, even when things move slowly, builds credibility.

We also realized that product design and storytelling go hand in hand. A great product alone isn’t enough; people connect with the emotion behind it, the why, not just the what.

And perhaps most importantly, we’ve learned that building a modern lifestyle label isn’t just about selling objects, it’s about creating experiences and fostering a community that resonates with your philosophy.

What upcoming collections or projects are you most excited about?

We’re in an exciting phase right now, preparing to expand offline with our core collection of desk essentials. Our goal is to create tangible experiences where people can touch, feel, and understand the products beyond the screen.

We’re also exploring designs that bridge the gap between work and leisure, pieces that transition seamlessly from your desk to your weekend bag. Think of it as a complete ecosystem thoughtfully designed, multi-functional, and made to last.

Every new product still carries the Cran Maroon DNA, minimal design, warm tones, and quiet confidence. We’re excited to continue evolving while staying rooted in what we do best: crafting simplicity with soul.

What advice would you give to emerging Indian designers looking to create sustainable lifestyle brands?

Start small. Stay original.

Don’t design for trends, design for time. It’s easy to chase what’s popular, but the real challenge is to create something that remains relevant long after the noise fades.

Spend more effort understanding why your brand exists,  your purpose, your audience, your story,  rather than just what it sells. Clarity of vision is what keeps you going when things get slow or uncertain.

And most importantly, be patient with your journey. Sustainability isn’t only about materials; it’s about mindset. Building something meaningful takes years, but when done right, it lasts a lifetime.

As the conversation wraps up, Yash and Bobby reflect on Cran Maroon’s growth and its enduring commitment to design that enriches everyday life.

Their vision goes beyond products—it celebrates creativity, culture, and conscious living. With a focus on innovation and authenticity, Cran Maroon stands as a testament to design’s power to shape meaningful experiences.

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