Interview with illustrator Aymen Asrar

Aymen Asrar is a graphic designer and illustrator, specialising editorial designs and illustrations. As part of my blog, I reached out to her for an interview to get a better insight into what is like working as an artist and children’s book illustrator.

Please give few words of introduction about yourself.

Hi, I’m a Karachi based illustrator with a degree in design and illustration from University of Karachi, Pakistan. With a short experience of about two years and a couple of books down the line, I have narrowed down my niche to children’s book illustrations.

Honestly, it takes years and years to come up with a personal style that distinguishes you from the crowd. I won’t say I have found my style yet but with the type of projects that I take, my work tends to lean in the fictional side with cuter aspects to it as I prefer catering to little kids, preferably under age 6 because those are the years when kids are seeing everything around them for the first time and their minds develop exceptionally.

I have always enjoyed my art classes at school and enjoyed drawing/ sketching and doodling in my free time. Got stacks of papers and notebooks and backs of my school journals covered in god knows what kind of doodles:) From there I realised that I enjoy making things that appeal visually. Years later, I enrolled in art school after being a med school drop out from one of Pakistan’s top most medical schools.

Disney has always been my biggest influences. Keeping my child self in awe with their animated movies and characters. After growing up a little, Hayao Miyazaki became my second influence because of his amazing amazing anime films like Howl’s Moving Castle. Other than these big names, I’d say, local illustrators who I come across on instagram and I see them experimenting with their work, I find them inspiring.

I do digital illustrations on photoshop with my Wacom tablet, that I got in my third year of art school after saving up for a long time:)
Maybe in a few months I will shift to using an Ipad but for now I am content with my Wacom.
I normally have the same creative process with digital projects as we do manually. I create a mood board. Sketch up a rough composition. Pick a colour palette, then I make a mind map to see how I am imagining the project to be. After this, I start cleaning and colouring in.

Working as an illustrator based in Pakistan, can get a bit tiring as the market rates here are pretty low compared to the UK. That’s because of the lack of value that mainstream audiences give to the arts. I normally work with authors on books. The last book I did was with the author Aine Moorad, a Canadian-Pakistani author ( you can check out her page on fb or LinkedIn) the book is yet to be published. I have also worked with The Citizens Foundation, which is an NGO that runs purpose built schools for under privileged kids in Pakistan.

This used to happen to me in the initial months when I just started out because of lack of practice, and of course lack of experience on handling clients. It is important to make a clear contract for both parties (Artist and the client) to sign, before starting any commissioned work in order to avoid this back and forth. I normally include a certain number of revisions in my contract ,with a certain percentage of advance payment after sharing my portfolio. Also, the increase in charges as project duration surpasses the deadline.

No, illustrators usually work in more than one genres. Having a diverse portfolio is helpful.
Kids illustration- yes that is one genre, which can include children's books, films etc

I stop my projects and take a few days off and try to not look at my work at all. I do whatever I feel like (not necessarily productive) until I’m back on track. Going out and just observing random scene helps a lot.

I’d suggest anyone who wants to join the industry, should first make sure they know the market rates, as well as knowing how to make a useful contract that can cater them as well as the client. And then, they should start putting their work out, anything at all, just put it out on whatever platform you’re comfortable with. (I still have to make my art acc on instagram, but my Behance looks great:)

I don't see myself working as an illustrator or taking it up as a job. But I will continue to do freelance work in it, i find it much more rewarding as I can pick and choose. At present too, I work full time at The Citizens Archive of Pakistan, as a communication designer and I take illustration projects on the side.

Behance:
https://www.behance.net/aymenasrar


Instagram:
@Aymenasrar


LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aymen-asrar-4274071ab/

How would you describe your style?

What made you want to become an illustrator?

Who are your influences and inspirations?

So...what is it like working as an illustrator and what companies or commissions have you worked with so far?

As an illustrator, do you often have to change and accommodate your style to meet the requirements of clients?

Do you think there's a clear line between children's book illustration and book illustration?

How do you overcome burnt-outs and art blocks?

Do you have any tips for beginners who want to step inside the industry?

Do you think illustration is the job you want to continue to work in the future?

Find Aymen Asrar's work on: