Interview Archive
Imran Ali Dina
Mirza Aijaz AtherInterview:
Mirza Aijaz Ather (Head of Graphics, ARY Creative Workshop)
Q. Please tell us about your background.
A. Born in Pakistan, raised up in Saudi Arabia (till 1995), did my BS from Cyprus-Turkey (2000), came over to my home land (2001) to actually be with the people of my own creed, MS from Hamdard (2002).
My official name is Mirza Aijaz but people around mostly know me by my nick JZ. I kicked my career off as a Multimedia Architect, practiced that for like one and a half year, but the market here isn’t so used to of the idea of clicking to get the info. So, got frustrated by the scenario and started to work at Motion Graphics and 2D animation.
I serve the hugest electronic media network of Pakistan, ARY, as a Head of Graphics, at their in-house advertising agency, ARY Creative Workshop. The job responsibilities swing over from Conc pet and Copy writing, to doing/ monitoring the voice overs, composing/ arranging music, Designing graphics (motion and still), sometimes substituting art director at the shoots, managing a crew of about 8 talented individuals, yawning at the meetings and providing guidance to whoever requires it.
Q. How would you explain your Philosophy of Design?
A. There are only two things to be considered before designing anything, who is your client, and what is the target market. These are the only two factors that need to be considered in designing, specially in advertising.
Q. How do you make yourself up-to-date?
A. Surfing Internet and watching International TV Channels.
Q. What's your biggest achievement in life?
A. Eh … I don’t know, seems as if I haven’t done nothing yet.
Q. What software couldn't you live without?
A. For me software is just a mean to deliver the message across, just like language. Newer versions and better options keep popping up from time to time.
I mostly work on Photoshop, After Effects, Flash, Dream weaver, Director, Vegas, Sound Forge, and anything that could serve the purpose.
Q. What does a typical day at work look like for you?
A. The day usually begins by 11, with a coffee and bunch of emails, with no idea of when would I think of getting back home. At days I just stay in my cabin doing motion graphics, or thinking at some idea. Some days, I’m down with my fellow designers guiding them on how to improve a design they are worked at. Some days it’s those time wasting meetings in which client prove themselves as idiots. Some days are so free that I totally freak out. And some days it’s all of the above.
Q. What projects do you have in the pipeline and you worked before?
A. I just got finished with HBO Black Buster Campaign Promo, and onto HBO Eid ID.
The previous work can be seen at www.blakness.com.
Q. What is your best advice for aspiring graphic artists?
A. Work for yourself, not for the client. Design for the art not for money.
Interviewed in: Designers Launch Issue