Art Director Noahamin on Inspiration, Creative and Design

Growing up with African refugee/immigrant parents, my career exposure was to practical roles such as lawyers, doctors, and engineers, but once I explored my options further in high school, I discovered that creative jobs like art directors also exist.

1.) What made you choose to pursue a career in the creative industry?

I’ve been working in the creative space for about four years now as an Art Director in the advertising industry, which is a role I’ve aspired to since high school. I’ve always loved the idea of putting things together to create beautiful new visuals.

As time goes on and I continue to be exposed to what an Art Director really does, as far as conceptual thinking and collaborating with exceptional talent, I’ve grown to love my role even more.

I am always engaged in planning.

2.) Break it down for us. What does a day in your position look like?

Depending upon the timeline of a particular project, each day in my role looks very different. What is consistent though is that I am always engaged in planning. Whether creating concept ideas, building the deck to illustrate with the idea feels like, sounds like, and looks like, or meticulously crafting details to ensure they are concise as possible to direct (and also defend) through mock-up designs, I’m always working to ensure that my vision will be executed perfectly. And that is the best part - handing off my baby (project/idea) to a director or photographer who will bring it to life exactly as I planned

Nothing makes my heart happier than when I have the opportunity to collaborate with people who are not only talented, but who are also kind individuals who push the work to become something meaningful and real..

3.) How do you define success in your field?

For me, success in my field used to mean winning a big budget from a brand pitch and getting my voice heard, but over time that definition has evolved. Even though those are still great outcomes, what has become more fulfilling to me (which is what I attach success to) is knowing that I’m working with the right people. Nothing makes my heart happier than when I have the opportunity to collaborate with people who are not only talented but who are also kind individuals who push the work to become something meaningful and real. It’s so easy to become jaded in our industry, so having those rare experiences is important. Recognizing those people who are in it for the right reasons, and bringing them on the journey, is the best way to find success. There is a lot of love out there if you know where to find it, and you won’t lose that.

My hope is that my work leaves them more hopeful and less fearful, more curious in love and adventure, and overall standing in their truth.

4.) What’s your endgame?

I feel that there are levels to this answer, at least for me.

The first one is that tangibly there is no endgame when it comes to creativity because there is, and always will be, an infinite amount of ideas to be discovered. So that leaves the second and more prevalent level, which is that to me, the real endgame is what feeling you want to leave your viewers with. My hope is that my work leaves them more hopeful and less fearful, more curious in love and adventure, and overall standing in their truth. Being able to make art or work in any creative capacity is such a freeing feeling for me, and I want to share that feeling with others by giving them the opportunity to digest the work. Especially as black people or people of color, experiences like this aren’t typically promoted within our communities because we are often too busy being hit with tough realities. The concept of persevering in creation with complete hope and love, despite our circumstances is a tough mental hurdle to overcome. I want to help by encouraging others to operate in the fullness of identity rooted in the reality of feelings like love and hope.

Currently, I’m in a space where I am blessed with a lot of time, but with limited financial resources, it’s difficult to fully flesh out all of the ideas I have, at a level that I can feel proud of.

5.) What’s one resource that you wish you had right now?

I dislike saying this, but to be honest, I wish I had more money. Currently, I’m in a space where I am blessed with a lot of time, but with limited financial resources, it’s difficult to fully flesh out all of the ideas I have, at a level that I can feel proud of. Fortunately, I know that with time, everything will come my way, and I’ll be able to fully create on a level that I aspire to.

Growing up with African refugee/immigrant parents, my career exposure was to practical roles such as lawyers, doctors, and engineers, but once I explored my options further in high school, I discovered that creative jobs like art directors also exist.

6.) What was your “aha” moment when you realized that you could actually work in the creative industry?

I don’t have a specific “aha” moment because the minute I knew the creative industry existed, I knew that I could work in it. Growing up with African refugee/immigrant parents, my career exposure was to practical roles such as lawyers, doctors, and engineers, but once I explored my options further in high school, I discovered that creative jobs like art directors also exist. That led to me researching college programs that would enable me to learn the skills needed to work these jobs, and I found, and enrolled in, the communications design program at Syracuse University.

the timing within my creative career to-date has all been perfect

6.) What was something that you wish you would’ve known sooner?

Honestly, nothing, because the timing within my creative career to-date has all been perfect, which I believe has occurred because I always stay curious and passionate. These qualities have enabled me to not have to worry about being “late” to knowing, because there is always another opportunity to try it again, or do it better.

https://nohameen.com/