When the Pencil Leads

Shital Verma: The Artist

Specttrum Profiles: Every newspaper has stories that readers remember. Few remember the person who quietly shaped how those stories looked before the first word was read. For more than two decades, Shital Verma has been one of those creative minds. Through illustrations, typography, page design and visual storytelling, he has helped readers experience journalism with their eyes before engaging with it through words. His creative journey, however, began much earlier on the ghats of Varanasi, where a curious boy watched artists from different parts of the world sketching the timeless beauty of the Ganga. Without introducing himself or asking questions, he observed their strokes, returned home and tried to recreate them in his own way. Those silent lessons laid the foundation for a distinguished career in visual communication.

Today, Shital Verma serves as the National Design Head of Navbharat Times, one of India’s most respected Hindi newspapers published by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (Times Group). His role extends well beyond designing newspaper pages. It involves shaping visual identities, developing editorial concepts, mentoring creative teams and ensuring that design enhances the impact of journalism without overshadowing it. He lives in New Delhi.

Growing up in Varanasi, Shital also found inspiration in the city’s narrow lanes, where second-hand comic books fuelled his imagination. He would study the characters, absorb their styles and then sketch his own versions. What began as an enjoyable pastime gradually developed into a serious passion. That passion found formal expression at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where he completed a five-year Bachelor of Fine Arts programme in Commercial Art. During those years, the pencil became an inseparable companion. Endless hours of sketching refined his observation, strengthened his discipline and transformed a gifted youngster into a committed artist.

His professional journey began in Allahabad before Dainik Bhaskar opened a significant new chapter in 2000. Chandigarh became the city where his creative abilities flourished. Working on graphics, feature pages and editorial presentations, he learnt how thoughtful design could make journalism more engaging and accessible. Every assignment sharpened his understanding that visual communication is not decoration; it is an essential part of storytelling.

It was during those Dainik Bhaskar years that I had the opportunity to work closely with Shital. As editor of a weekly magazine - UDAAN, I watched him translate editorial ideas into striking covers, illustrations and feature layouts. His command over the pencil was exceptional. A few confident strokes would gradually transform a blank page into a compelling visual narrative. Years later, while recommending him on LinkedIn, I wrote that his sketches seemed to dance at the stroke of his pencil. That impression remains unchanged even today.

His career continued to evolve through organisations such as Mindworks Global Media, DNA and Hindustan Times, where he handled increasingly important creative responsibilities. Each role broadened his expertise in editorial design, graphics, typography and visual strategy while preparing him to lead larger creative teams. In 2013, he joined Navbharat Times as National Design Editor and, over the years, rose to become its National Design Head. His work has consistently reflected an understanding that clarity, balance and aesthetics are integral to effective communication.

One of Shital's greatest strengths is his willingness to evolve with changing times. While remaining deeply rooted in drawing and classical illustration, he has embraced every significant technological shift. The traditional pencil gradually found a companion in the Wacom tablet, opening new possibilities in digital illustration and portraiture. More recently, he has emerged as a thoughtful practitioner of artificial intelligence in the creative space. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for artistic skill, he treats it as another instrument that expands creative possibilities while keeping human imagination at the centre. His expertise today spans newspaper design, digital illustration, branding, packaging design, storyboards, infographics, interior design and visual communication.

His artistic journey has also extended beyond the newsroom. In August 2025, he self-published Pen And Ink, a beautifully curated coffee table book featuring fifty portrait illustrations. The collection received wide appreciation from art lovers and reflected his enduring passion for hand-drawn portraiture, proving that even in the digital age, the expressive power of the pencil remains timeless.

In March 2026, Shital participated in POWER STROKES, the prestigious Tata Power Art Camp held at Mulshi, Pune, under the guidance of curator Tanya Goyal. The week-long creative residency brought together accomplished artists from across the country. Two of Shital’s paintings from the camp were subsequently added to the art collection of Tata Power, Mumbai; a recognition that further affirmed his standing as a contemporary visual artist.

Beyond the newsroom, his interests reveal the same commitment to continuous growth. Painting, art education, fitness and meditation occupy an important place in his life. In recent years, he has also discovered another creative avenue through writing. His thoughtful articles published in Speaking Tree section of Navbharat Times reflect his interest in meditation, self-awareness and inner transformation, adding a new dimension to his creative personality.

Our association has continued well beyond the newsroom. Today, Shital is among the most active members and administrators of the 5AM Bliss community. We remain in regular touch, exchanging ideas on design, publishing, artificial intelligence and creativity. He is a dependable collaborator, a warm friend and a professional who willingly shares his knowledge and experience. His humility has remained constant even as his responsibilities have grown.

Shital Verma’s journey illustrates that true creativity is never confined to a single medium. From graphite on paper to digital illustration and artificial intelligence, his tools have continued to evolve while his artistic vision has remained remarkably consistent. The curious boy who once observed artists on the ghats of Varanasi still approaches every blank canvas with the same enthusiasm. Only the canvas has become larger, and the stories his art now tells reach millions of readers every day.

Contact: verma.kool007@gmail.com I shitalverma.com

 

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