Selective Recording: Editorial Design Meets Film Criticism

Selective Recording is an ongoing, independently developed research and editorial project by multidisciplinary designer Sruthi Nair. Originating during her postgraduate studies at the University of the Arts London (UAL), the project explores how Malayalam cinema portrays Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) living in Gulf countries—offering a compelling look at how film frames these diaspora experiences through stark binaries of aspiration and disillusionment.

The first edition of Selective Recording takes the form of a research-led publication indexing thirteen Malayalam films released between 2000 and 2024. These films were selected for their portrayal of NRIs at the extreme ends of the socio-economic spectrum, presenting them either as figures of idealized success or as cautionary tales. The study critically dissects how these characters are repeatedly shaped by reductive archetypes, often reinforcing simplistic narratives of "dream vs. nightmare" in relation to the Gulf migration experience.

Designed for both linear and non-linear reading, the publication presents each chapter as an independent entry point into the broader inquiry. This structure reflects Nair’s experimental approach to editorial design, prioritizing user agency while maintaining a clear research framework.

Sruthi Nair approaches design as a powerful medium for storytelling, critical inquiry, and cultural reflection. With a background in brand design, printmaking, and academic research, her practice is deeply rooted in questions of representation—particularly within media and pop culture. She is currently expanding her editorial design work, exploring the relationship between narrative structure, typography, and form, while experimenting with production techniques like offset and lithographic printing to enhance storytelling impact.

Nair’s perspective on design as a process of inquiry rather than just a vehicle for communication has resonated within academic and design communities. She was recently invited to present Selective Recording at the symposium A Line Which Forms A Volume (ALWFAV), as well as to the MA Graphic Media Design cohort at the London College of Communication. In both sessions, she emphasized the value of experimentation, embracing mistakes, and reflective practice—positioning design as a space for thoughtful questioning rather than definitive answers.

With Selective Recording, Nair not only critiques mainstream portrayals but also opens space for more nuanced, culturally sensitive representations. Her work challenges audiences—both within and beyond the Malayalam film industry—to reconsider how narratives are constructed, and whose voices are amplified or diminished in the process.

Selective Recording: Editorial Design Meets Film Criticism

Selective Recording is an ongoing, independently developed research and editorial project by multidisciplinary designer Sruthi Nair. Originating during her postgraduate studies at the University of the Arts London (UAL), the project explores how Malayalam cinema portrays Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) living in Gulf countries—offering a compelling look at how film frames these diaspora experiences through stark binaries of aspiration and disillusionment.

The first edition of Selective Recording takes the form of a research-led publication indexing thirteen Malayalam films released between 2000 and 2024. These films were selected for their portrayal of NRIs at the extreme ends of the socio-economic spectrum, presenting them either as figures of idealized success or as cautionary tales. The study critically dissects how these characters are repeatedly shaped by reductive archetypes, often reinforcing simplistic narratives of "dream vs. nightmare" in relation to the Gulf migration experience.

Designed for both linear and non-linear reading, the publication presents each chapter as an independent entry point into the broader inquiry. This structure reflects Nair’s experimental approach to editorial design, prioritizing user agency while maintaining a clear research framework.

Sruthi Nair approaches design as a powerful medium for storytelling, critical inquiry, and cultural reflection. With a background in brand design, printmaking, and academic research, her practice is deeply rooted in questions of representation—particularly within media and pop culture. She is currently expanding her editorial design work, exploring the relationship between narrative structure, typography, and form, while experimenting with production techniques like offset and lithographic printing to enhance storytelling impact.

Nair’s perspective on design as a process of inquiry rather than just a vehicle for communication has resonated within academic and design communities. She was recently invited to present Selective Recording at the symposium A Line Which Forms A Volume (ALWFAV), as well as to the MA Graphic Media Design cohort at the London College of Communication. In both sessions, she emphasized the value of experimentation, embracing mistakes, and reflective practice—positioning design as a space for thoughtful questioning rather than definitive answers.

With Selective Recording, Nair not only critiques mainstream portrayals but also opens space for more nuanced, culturally sensitive representations. Her work challenges audiences—both within and beyond the Malayalam film industry—to reconsider how narratives are constructed, and whose voices are amplified or diminished in the process.