We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Madiha Jamil ("MJ").
Madiha Jamil is a 3D animator/ Modeler from Pakistan currently working as an Lecturer in University of Sharjah. She did her Post graduation in Multimedia arts from National College of Arts, Lahore with "Honors" in 2013 and have worked on several 3D projects. She worked on Emmy award winner 3D animated series "Burka Avenger" season 2. Her Masters thesis project "Guddu ki Guddi" (Guddu's Kite) tells the story of a shoe polish boy who endures different obstacles to catch a falling kit. In Pakistan 3D Animation is still in growing stage and providing local entertainment, which people can relate using this new medium with limited resources is an achievement in it self. She participated in several local and international film festivals. This submitted artwork of Madiha shows the 60's culture and style of Pakistan with in the Walled city of Lahore. She thinks that 3D animation is a vast medium through which you can convey a positive message not only to children but to every age group.
Madiha Jamil Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Madiha Jamil.
Designer Interview of Madiha Jamil:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
MJ : I am a 90s kid and I grow up watching Disney movies. They always fascinated me just like any girl. I remember the first drawing I ever made was for my art class in grade 3 which was of Mickey Mouse and Donald duck. From that day on I started illustrating all the characters I loved or I found unique. So there was an artist in me from the beginning. After high school when I had to decide what I want to do in life I went from graphics design and later I found my way in 3D animation and modeling.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MJ : Mem Jeem is my personal Studio developed in 2013.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MJ : To me it's creating distinct and clear visual. Good design is easily understood, visually appealing and making a relationship to the target audience.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MJ : I enjoy doing character designing and most of the time when I am free I am illustrating characters and later on model them in 3D software.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MJ : I love Glean Keane’s work. He work on all most all classic Disney animated movies including Beauty and the beast, Mermaid, Tarzan and many more and he is still producing amazing work.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MJ : The first thing I ever designed for a company was the packaging for a pesticide company right after my graduation. It was a very small advertising agency in Multan, Pakistan, first place I ever worked.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MJ : 3D animation and modeling of course. It’s been almost 8 years now since I first started learning 3D and I still love this medium.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MJ : Honestly for me there is no time when I specifically feel creative. I can be creative anytime anywhere it comes naturally to me.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MJ : Since I work on character designing more I focus mainly on exaggeration and appeal. For me these two elements make a good character design.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MJ : Creative and criticizing both.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MJ : It is always exciting.
DI: What makes a design successful?
MJ : As far as it communicates and delivers the message creatively and effectively its successful design for me.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MJ : The concept / idea behind the design and how creatively it has been accomplished.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MJ : Designers’ plays important roles in bringing a social change in a society and environment. Designers can contribute to society by choosing the important issues society is facing and provide with creative solutions.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MJ : The design field is evolving rapidly. Everything you see in your daily life is designed from your pen to gigantic buildings to mobile apps and games. And I am sure we are going to experience some real astonishing designs in future.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MJ : My last exhibition was in Lahore International Children film festival, Lahore, Pakistan 2015. Next exhibition is not planned yet.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MJ : Events, issues or even a small chat with someone from everyday life, inspire me. Once I have an idea, I do a lot of research, visual research, past works on similar ideas for inspiration and to avoid cliché’.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
MJ : I am a 3D Film maker and a character designer and focus majorly on Exaggeration and appealing. I believe if there is no personality appeal in characters, they can never be successful.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
MJ : I live in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah but I am a Pakistani. I spent almost 12 year in Pakistan during study and job and Pakistan is so rich in culture. I am from Punjab and it is famous for its food, culture, moral values and most of all Architecture and it is always reflected in my work. But if I am not living in Pakistan and working on a local design than its hard because you are not with the same people or in same environment, so it affects your research for design.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MJ : Freelancing mostly.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MJ : For companies I would suggest to be very clear in providing the right and full information about the project to your designer. Incomplete information always end up redoing same designing again and again without the expected outcome and it could be nerve wrecking. Select a designer based on his creativity, efficient working and presentation skills and he have to be smart.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MJ : Starting from the basic idea which for me can come from anywhere anytime, I start doing visual research and try to write down ever thing which cross my mind during this process. It is very important to write down or draw the idea instantly you never know when it will help you out. I do a lot of sketching and storyboarding. Once I have a clear idea I move to the production phase.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MJ : Well I like my kitchen I think it’s very well designed, One of my lamp, a tapestry, a wall which I designed myself.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
MJ : My day starts with the early Morning Prayer. Than get ready for work, have a breakfast with some music. Leave for work and come back home depending on the class schedule I have. Take some rest, watch or read and since I am doing an online animation course I had to do the assignments. And I go to bed early to make sure I wake up fresh for the new day.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MJ : Love what you are doing. Try to keep your mind open for creativity and criticism. Take out time for yourself, it’s very important. Do as much research as possible, the more exposure you gain, more creative you get.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MJ : Being a designer means you are a problem solver which is positive. But being an artist or a designer means you get more sensitive as compare to normal people which effects your work.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MJ : I don’t have any specific golden rule to be honest.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MJ : Good observation, Research skills, open to criticism, flexibility to work in different situations.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MJ : I am a digital 3D designer. I use Autodesk Maya for 3D modeling and animation and Adobe Suite mostly for illustrations, video and sound editing.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MJ : Time management is tough. The best practice is to schedule yourself.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MJ : Depends on the project mostly. If it’s a short film project it can end in a year but if it’s a full length film you are planning it might take years to from start to end.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MJ : How do I do 3D?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
MJ : When I did internship in Post Amazers Animation house in Karachi during my graduation. That experience played a huge role in what I am today.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MJ : Animation houses and Advertising agencies
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MJ : I enjoy doing 3D work, I think that’s the only thing which never bore me.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MJ : To work on a full length feature film.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MJ : I develop my own designs.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MJ : Right now I am continuing my work on project La'Hore to make it into a Short Animated film.
DI: How can people contact you?
MJ : madiha.jamil1@gmail.com