‘Bashayer Arts’
Bashayer AlMahdi, known for her ‘Bashayer Arts’ in social media, is a 25-year-old graphic designer who teaches Multimedia at University of Bahrain Arts College. She is always looking for new opportunities expressing herself in artistic forms. She started expressing her artistic skills at a very early age. ‘ I have pictures of my self when I was four years old holding a paper and pen and sketching since my family are artistic. I have an elder brother and sister. I had access to pens and papers so I was sketching from that early age and when I went to nursery and school I was able to prove my artistic skills and all my teachers encouraged my skills, ’ she says. UoB student Abdulla Alsuwaidi interviewed the talented designer for DT Campus page.
What makes you interested in arts? Who is your early influencer?
First of all it is just a fun thing to do, but then I made a lots of friends because of art. Of course my family (mom,dad,brothers and sisters) encouraged me; also when I went to school I had awesome teachers who were very encouraging and influenced my practice a lot at a very early age.
How do you get inspired to do your works?
There are a few things that inspire me like how I feel, or a very unique style; I sometimes like to imitate that style just to get an idea and then I develop it and it becomes my own.
Where has your work been focused more recently?
Besides my graphic design work which depends on the clients need, I have been doing lots of logos recently; also I like doing self portraits because they are very meditating and relaxing to do.
You always draw yourself. Do you think you have “megalomania”?
I don’t blame you for asking it because people think that way about me; but as I mentioned before this is very meditating; I think I need to love myself more and respect myself more. This is the thing; some people use adult coloring books which have so many details but they find them relaxing; for me I find these books a little bit boring because I like drawing more and this is the subject I am comfortable drawing.
You always offer graphic design without computer workshops. What makes you interested in this field?
I used to be a person who thought that graphic design should only be done using computers which made my work very limited and lacking creativity ; specially there are many tools difficult for me to learn, but then I realized that you can always mix between your analog work and digital work to produce something more creative.
What did you study abroad in UK which added to your personal skills?
It made me more independent, more listening to others; there are so many good things I have in Bahrain but never felt thankful until I went to the UK missing them. As a professional my language skills improved more.
Give us some tips as to how a beginner can improve his skills.
Keep on designing, drawing and never stop. Never wait for some magic to happen or some inspiration from the space to start your designing; get to know designers, speak with them don’t be afraid to express your fears and feelings . You will be surprised to know the number of people who have the same problems as a designer. Never feel shy to show your weaknesses. You need a group of designer friends with whom you can share your experiences. Love your work but not in a way that makes you blind from developing it.
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