Rapid Fire with Gaity Atiq

Surfing Facebook, I spotted ‘Kooky’. A brand that has rapidly getting famous around the nation. Kooky has been known for its customizable cushions, party favors and the prompt services. So this week I got a few questions ready for Gaity Atiq – the founder and owner of Kooky. Listed below is the conversation that took place:

1.First of all the cushions are amazing! Tell us how did you start the whole thing? Was this a whole pre-planned sort of an idea or this just popped up?
Thank you so much for the appreciation. I have just started, I really don’t know how but it started with  some family motivation, plus I always wanted to do something different and unique...so there it was.

2.Have you ever taken a short – course or earned a degree in designing soft – furnishings? Or something close to Arts probably?
No I haven’t taken any courses yet…I am actually a banker by profession. Before this I was into Dress designing and I launched a brand labeled ‘Ayesha –Gaity’, this was in collaboration with a friend but then she moved abroad. I hardly had enough time on my hands to cope up with the business alone.

3.Kooky is getting famed everyday… How do you feel about that? And where would you like to see it?
Oh it feels great! I have not priced the cushions high… I want them to be accessible for the masses. It’s the love of designing and creativity that I am into it...and I love every moment of it.  I want 'kooky' to be established as a brand that can customize just about anything for the customers.

4.The name ‘Kooky’…where did that came from?
This was actually my first nickname…my grandfather used to call me that...it’s in his fondest memories that I have kept it... he is sadly no more... so in his honor its 'kooky' !

5.Are there more products that you would be introducing in the coming seasons? Or you will stick to the cushions?

Actually i am doing some other products also, like personalized goody bags. I have some imported favors and favor pails that i am offering.  In future i will be starting wedding, bridal shower and baby shower favors, they will all be customized, Inshallah. Plus a lot of other embroidered stuff are also coming up which I’m not disclosing right now.

Link:
Kooky Facebook Page!

Sam Ovais - Synonym for Henna perfection

1. So let’s start by you telling a bit of how has henna designing influenced you and what is the history of you getting in this field?

I was inclined towards arts and crafts right from the beginning but coming from a family of doctors and engineers the artist in me was never really encouraged.  My paints etc. were taken away until I earned a BBA (Hons.) and MBA. The only thing allowed was a henna cone. So, my hands, arms, feet and sometimes legs were filled with Mehindi doodles almost all the time. After all, the entire artist in me needed to express. Back home, in Pakistan, I worked as Marketing Manager for a leading media group but the not-so-favorable-corporate-environment at KSA made me take this hobby seriously. Initially I did not expect the response that I enjoy today but Allah has been the kindest to me, I'd say.

2. How many years has it been you practicing this art?

The earliest memories are since I was 8 years old. I used to fill up my hands, arms, feet and even legs just to make patterns. I used to do henna on friends, relatives, friends of friends (brides especially), paper, glass, vases, mirror anything I could get hold of was filled with my Mehindi patterns. People used to relate Mehindi with me. I could never have enough of it.

3. Did you learn henna designing or this was merely passion and you started on your own?

 I have never ever had a formal training. It started as a passion turned into a hobby and practice polished it.

4. Over the years, how has the response related to fans?

People have always appreciated my work, ever since I started doodling with a henna cone, and that has always inspired and encouraged me to do better. It was only after I arrived at Saudi Arabia that I took this seriously and thought of taking it to another level. Allah has been kind.

5. I have seen you working and getting appreciated over the group and in person… How do you feel about that?

So far it hasn't got into my head. I still feel there's room for improvement. I feel humbled when people trust me to leave a pleasant stain that would last on their hands for days and memories for years to come. The real appreciation for my work is when the client leaves with a bright smile only to come back again.

6. Where would you like to see this designing talent of yours?

I never thought I would get such a warm response when I started it a year ago. As the logical next step, I'm already in collaboration with event management houses, wedding planning companies to present my art on a larger scale. Also, I plan to expand my portfolio to other cultural arts.

Further, I plan for Sam's to serve as an umbrella for other aspiring artists and thus I'm planning to conduct henna training classes in the near future. Art knows no boundaries; it should and would spread across continents, Inshallah.

Link:
Sam Ovais Facebook Group!

Chic and Sophisticated - New in Town

Elegance does not consist of putting on a new dress – Coco Chanel

From the above quoted expression a lady then is left with two choices – Makeup or Jewelry. A percentage around the globe declares Makeup to be a synonym of artificial beauty. People prefer grabbing branded bags and shoes instead of paying cash over layers of that foundation and as a result getting a cakey –face!

So I guess this is clear that jewelry gets the highest votes!

This week we have an online shop ‘Chic and Sophisticated’ over our blog. The store presents a range of imported fashion accessories, taking rings, bracelets, necklaces, shades, Hair accessories and so much more on their list. The best thing about this store is affordable prices. Though they are imported, but the price tag has been putting a smile over the customers and making them order more and more.

Zainab – owner of the store, explained that imported jewels are something that you can get them from anywhere but what makes ‘Chic and Sophisticated so different is the quality and affordability. The customers are deeply satisfied and love shopping at the stores.

Upon clicking the photos tab over the page you can get a list of all the items included in the shop. Discount products and Sales are also a part of the albums. You can simply click and order your favorite jewels to your heart’s desire.

We thank and wish luck to the whole team for a brighter future.


Link:
Chic and Sophisticated Facebook Page!

Set of Questions with 'Studio Blacksheep'

1. Tell us your history of how you landed over in this tech world?
I started my first job in 2004 as a graphic designer in a multinational company known as Software Solutions. At that time i was also going to college.

2. Were you always interested in designing and graphics or this was just a lucky pick that has turned so big?
I never wanted to be a designer; i wanted to join army so i can become a soldier who dies in the line of duty. Designing just happened to me and it made my belief even stronger that every individual in all the parts of the world known or unknown is created or manufactured to deliver some tasks. So my task was to play with colors and bring these cartoons to life.

3. I believe there is always an inspiration ... What or who was yours behind 'Studio Blacksheep’?

There are many studios that are named after some animal or some great even or some natural disaster.

4. I must say that I loved the logo you designed for 'Love in a Basket' ... so when an order like that comes what is the first thing you do and how is whole procedure wrapped up?

About the 'Love in a Basket' tell you the truth; i don’t take part in these low budget competitions. It was never a source of attraction for me. I even never participate in any competition where my designs are compared with others but this is the first competition that i ever tried and won it. Something inside me told me that i would win it. The name just gave me a picture, a very clear picture of what i was going to create. I do some research to make sure that my idea doesn’t already exist. Then i find the relative data and stories behind the names. In this case the hearts were all around me to give a vision of the final logo. I started making baskets with hearts. One of these logos was good enough to compete on all my other options so i submitted it the last day.

5. What services does 'Studio Blacksheep' offer? 

Studio Blacksheep offers all kind of design and development services that starts from a tiny logo of a company to huge pc or mobile game. Designing services include character designing, animation, game interface design, creative writing, game designing, game QA, logo designing, website designing and printing solutions for a brand. I am also thinking to start a learning institution where curios people can be taught and i will examine and guide them myself. Then I can hire more blacksheeps for my Design Farm. I am also planning to start some online workshops for people understanding of art and its importance in their lives.

6. I personally thought the name was really catchy 'Studio Blacksheep' ... how did that came up?
I was inspired by different gaming/animation studios like Pixar, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Blur Animation, Ubisoft, Lionhead Studios etc. After a lot of consideration and research i thought of going with some animal name and this Lionhead Studios is the source of inspiration behind this name. Blacksheep is normally used for unprincipled or reckless person but the original story is, "Black is the most powerful color in all colors. It can absorb all the colors into it and never lose its originality. That’s the pretty much story behind the blacksheeps. When people realized that they couldn't change the color of the wool of black sheep, they simply separated them from the group and the real reason was lost in the bargaining with wool and it is still unknown to the world. They consider them as bad sheep that are useless while if we look at them technically then we come to know that their wool had original color which could not be altered so the price of the originality was "Black Label"

If anyone has doubt about the power of the black color then go and take a look at the cover of ‘Khana Kaaba’, its cover with black piece of cloth. It can take so much inside it.

7.  What more are you planning for the future and fans?
Well future is always unknown and mysterious to me, hence i have plans and dreams to study further in the field of character design & animation and unlock these mysteries that block the vision of a mind to see beyond the imagination.

About the fans, i want serious people on my page who watch cartoons and play games and who have an understanding of art and design. I want this page to be spread all over the Pakistan so people can know about the quality we can deliver and the talent of this country can complete any world class game.

8. As a whole team where would you like to see 'Studio Blacksheep’?
Studio Blacksheep is not just a game/design studio who is interested in the skills of its employees, it's like a culture where you sculpture yourself and find out the colors of characteristic. Wherever you go you carry your own originality. It should represent me, my company and everyone who is part of this team.
When Michelangelo was working on the Statue of David, he used come to his studio, stood in front of that 17 feet high piece of marble. He stared at it till afternoon and then went back home for supper. One day the king came to his studio and saw him staring at that piece of marble. The king came to Michelangelo and asked, "It's been weeks and you have done nothing." Michelangelo turned around, stared at king and said, "I am working." Then he went home. After 6 months that piece of marble was the masterpiece of that sculpture.

Link:

Studio Blacksheep Facebook Page!