This week, The Sunday Morning Happinez shines its spotlight on Aashiq Mohamed, an artist and designer with a passion for narrating stories and addressing societal issues through his illustrations.
Could you share with us the moment or experience that sparked your passion for art and design?
My passion for art started at an early age. During my free time, I would create illustrations to pass the time, never realising that this would become a part of my life. I started observing details such as colours and shades – things that my friends and others didn’t seem to notice.
This fascination sparked my curiosity and I wanted to learn more about it. The passion I had for art led me to explore it more. That is when I discovered artists such as Vincent van Gogh. His paintings have inspired me to admire art. I can get lost in them for hours, as if they speak to me.
Initially, I prioritised self-learning and it paved the way to understand designing. For me, designing is not just creating images or shapes; rather, it is giving life to a story or an idea. I have a clear principle that my designs must be both meaningful and impactful.
What are some of the key sources of inspiration for your work and how do they influence your creative process?
If you ask what sparks my creative mind, it is the minute details and the depth of an artist’s unique perspective. I get inspired by unexpected things such as a tree in my backyard that catches light in a particular way or the play of shadows during golden hour. Beyond that, retro aesthetics, mid-century modern design, and music heavily influence my work.
These elements add layers of personality and storytelling to my designs, shaping not just how I create, but also how I connect emotionally with the projects I take on.
Your designs have a distinct aesthetic. How would you describe your signature style and how has it evolved over the years?
My signature style comes from the colour palettes I choose for my posters and designs. I ensure that the colours create a mood and narrate a story. Another key aspect of my style is the attention I give to every little detail – everything has a purpose and connects to the bigger idea.
Over time, I’ve improved by learning more about concepts, experimenting with new techniques, and listening to feedback to make my designs even better.
As both an artist and a designer, how do you balance functionality with artistic expression in your creations?
I do not like to overcomplicate things. I think it is a blessing when your work is your passion, so I stay focused on my work rather than seeing it as a hurdle or a distraction. However, it is easy to become overwhelmed by it at times. To help relax, I listen to music and watch movies that inspire me and spark new creative ideas. It is a win-win situation for me.
What challenges have you faced in your journey as a designer and artist, and how did you overcome them?
As an artist I face similar challenges every artist faces, such as lack of opportunities, low pay, lack of recognition, issues with sustaining the creativity and practicality of the work, and more.
One of the biggest challenges was maintaining confidence in my abilities, especially when facing criticism or periods of self-doubt. I realised that challenges are part of the process and instead of letting them hold me back, I started to view them as opportunities to grow.
What keeps me going is the belief that every piece I create, no matter how big or small, has the potential to inspire, connect, and make someone’s day a little brighter. Challenges are inevitable but they have taught me resilience and helped me appreciate the journey as much as the destination.
You have worked with various mediums and techniques. Which medium do you feel best represents your creative vision?
Throughout my life I have come across many societal issues and one thing I have noticed is that many of these issues go unnoticed by the public. This is what I want to fix with art. Art allows me to convey issues that are almost impossible to be understood by everyone.
Photographs and words have the power to express the situation but not the core issue, being limited by social media restrictions. However, I believe that illustration has the ability to overcome these limitations. My art has made people think more carefully, creating awareness.
Have you collaborated with other artists or brands? How do such partnerships shape your artistic narrative?
I have had the opportunity to collaborate with several industry-leading artists and brands including Yuvan Shankar Raja, A.R. Rahman’s Firdaus Orchestra, Ben Human, Aaryan Dinesh Kanagaratnam (A.D.K.), and Navz-47.
These partnerships have influenced me in a positive way and taught me a lot of new things about the industry. The highlight is that most of the artists I have collaborated with are deeply connected to my personality, which gave me freedom while working on their projects. This changed the way I connected with the audience and also gave me wider recognition.
In a world increasingly driven by technology, how do digital tools influence your creative process and artistic output?
In this modern era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), everything has become easily accessible with a single tap of a button, yet it is not that easy to create the final output that captures the authenticity of a creator. I think that is where the perspective changes.
What advice would you give to aspiring designers and artists trying to carve their path in the industry?
Whatever you do, stay consistent because consistency is the key to success. I would advise fellow creators to never lose hope or feel low, even when the times get tough, because ups and downs are part of the process.
If you are going through periods of creative block, please do not blame yourself for not getting new ideas; give yourself some time and go explore the beauty of God’s creations that is hidden in nature.
Could you share any exciting projects or plans that your fans can look forward to?
Looking ahead, I am really excited about the projects I have worked on which are yet to be released. I have some collaborations with popular artists in the music and cinema industry and I am excited to share everything in detail.
I am also looking forward to working on more exciting projects and improving myself as an artist. I want to become a better person than who I was yesterday.
PHOTOS © AASHIQ MOHAMED