Takeover Tuesday with Samy Halim
An interview with Samy Halim, an illustrator and graphic artist from Bordeaux, France.
Q&A with Samy Halim
Read time: 5min
Madison Caprara:
Hi, Samy! I really appreciate you taking the time for this interview. Why don’t we kick it off with an introduction to yourself? Who are you and what is it that you do? How did you find yourself in the creative industry?
Samy Halim:
Hi, my pleasure!
I’m Samy Halim, an artist creating vibrant pop portraits and some animals, mainly on iPad and in the Procreate app. I’m based near Bordeaux in the south-west of France, born in Algeria from an Algerian father and French mother, studied at the Art school of Algiers, then we moved to France in 1994.
During my 10 months of military service I was supervising the Graphics office of the International Cooperative Technical Service of the Police in 1995-1996 where I started getting a little familiar with digital tools like Photoshop. I remember at that time there was just one layer and one undo level, so I had to be really sure of what I was doing :D. I learned Corel Suite also with a goal of replicating what I did organically in a digital format.
After my service I started working in Parisian studios and agencies. My first job was in a small studio near Bercy in Paris that had about 4 people including the CEO and two secretaries. My last job as an art director in graphic design was in an agency called Pixelis, where were approximately 80 or so. I left it in 2011 to create my own studio, specializing in illustration and packaging design and then in 2017 I won a packaging Pentaward for the design of three liqueur bottles.
I worked and currently work with different international agencies and companies like Dior, Lancôme, Hilton hotels, Harper Collins, Washington Post, Hennessy, Clément Rhum, Tanqueray gin, FFF (French Football Federation), Savage Interactive (Procreate developers), Wizards of the Coast, Ubisoft, BBDO Dublin, Landor,to name a few…
Madison Caprara:
For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you go about describing your work (look/feel, thematics, etc.)? Do you find yourself gravitating to a specific subject matter or topic?
Samy Halim:
My work is mainly about people and I like to show the beauty and personality in every single person. I like to show the diversity, equity, equality, in a colorful and vibrant style, using expressions and postures that create some connection with the onlooker. This is very important for my work. Having a hook and a unique look is key to successful artwork. I’m mostly inspired from the Art Déco era in the 20s-30s and the Memphis design of the 80s-90s, from fashion, music, and other artists like Andy Warhol, Jean-Paul Goude, Peter Sato, Tamara de Lempicka, Ichiro Tsuruta, Ludwig Holhwein, Tom Purvis, J.C. Leyendecker, Alfons Mucha, and Coles Phillip.
Madison Caprara:
I see that you underwent training at the Fine Arts School of Algiers. Tell us a bit about that experience. How integral was it to your current success?
Samy Halim:
Unfortunately, I only trained for a year with the Fine Arts School of Algiers and had to leave Algeria because of the civil war. I was in the Graphic Design program where I learned academic drawing, sketching, how to use different tools and media like acrylic paint, felt pens, pencils, and technical pens.
But the biggest part of work was in my room. I was improving my skills all day and all night by creating imaginary logos and brands, making a lot of portraits as well with different approaches like colored pencils, stippling technique, felt pens, and more. I had to try and master different tools and techniques to end up with my pop style, but the journey was very long, it took me about 20 years. I was always seeking something special. Something unique and recognizable at first sight, and I think what makes it special is the balance between flat and edgy shapes and the shadings on the skin between cold and warm colors which are inspired from sunsets to provoke a certain mood.
Madison Caprara:
Are you currently freelancing? What did your professional path look like up until this point?
Samy Halim:
Currently I’m freelancing for different companies, agencies, studios, small and international brands, and after receiving lots of encouragement from my community of followers, I started working with some companies on NFTs. This is all new to me, and I have a lot to learn, but it’s so exciting!
H-Theoria - Effrontément Liqueur by Samy Halim
Madison Caprara:
How did the way you think about your work and creative processes change as it began to gain more attention?
Samy Halim:
Very interesting question!
My perspective changed when I started putting a hook in the center of the artwork. Like the overall construction combining organic and mechanical shapes and using a good balance of cold and warm colors. Putting details in strategic places makes it more interesting; kind of like Easter eggs.
Madison Caprara:
You are currently based in Bordeaux, correct? What is the industry like in that part of the world? How does it compare to others that you have found yourself in?
Samy Halim:
Most of the designers here in Bordeaux are web and UI-UX designers. Some are illustrators for different industries like books, press, and video games. We have Ubisoft based here, but I have no connection with them. Covid doesn’t help.
I never try to do the same thing as others, instead I try to find success based on my own distinctive work.
Rapunzel - Samy Halim
Madison Caprara:
You operate under the entity of WAAW STUDIO. What was the impetus to starting the studio? When did it go from Samy Halim to WAAW?
Samy Halim:
Before creating that name it was “Almost Famous Studio”, but it was too hard for non English speakers to spell it. So, I ended up with that palindrome name, and you guessed it, I wanted it symmetrical : ) It looks graphical and is constructed well. I wanted to make a difference between my pop-art style and my Illusive and luxurious style (Illusive Studio). But I am gathering everything under my own name. By trying to separate both styles people get lost. My friends and those who know me and my work advised me to use only my name.
Madison Caprara:
Who has been your favorite client (or project) to with? Tell us a bit about that!
Samy Halim:
There are many! My project with Dior was a sweet collaboration, Wizards of the Coast a really cool one as well, and H-Theoria liqueurs gave me carte blanche on the creative.
Dior - Samy Halim
Madison Caprara:
Your current work explores popular culture figures using an ipad pro. What led you down this path? How does this medium/method help you to realize your vision in a way that a more hands-on approach cannot?
Samy Halim:
iPad Pro helped me unleash my creativity and to explore different tools and techniques in addition to classical ones. Symmetry feature in Procreate gave me the ability to realize what I always had in mind and the drawing assistant was a great feature too. I’m creating work much faster and to be able to take my device everywhere is fantastic; I can create whenever inspiration comes. I spend 95% of my time working on IPad Pro and it’s getting harder and harder to work on a computer.
Madison Caprara:
I’m curious, how do you determine which celebrities to feature in these portraits? Purely random? Personal appreciation?
Samy Halim:
I choose my celebrities based on if I think they can be integrated into a geometrical composition harmoniously or if they represent a pop-art and hip-hop style. Some of them are for an impactful reason.
Ye - Samy Halim
Madison Caprara:
What’re some of the strategies you have implemented when looking for inspiration without getting overwhelmed by the work of other artists you admire?
Samy Halim:
No strategy. Inspiration comes more from people in the street or from pictures on social media. The artists I admire are like a background, a base, I don’t necessarily think of a particular style when I create, I think it appears in some details unintentionally.
Madison Caprara:
If you had to choose one key point of advice to share for those wanting to become a successful digital illustrator, what would it be?
Samy Halim:
If I had one piece of advice to give, without hesitation, it would be to be yourself. Don’t be overwhelmed by all the styles you admire. Do your own thing, exactly how you want it, and don’t give up for any reason. Stay the course until you end up with something that reflects your vision.
Madison Caprara:
Is there anything exciting we should be looking out for from you in the near future?
Samy Halim:
Yes, definitely! I’m getting into the NFT universe, and I’d be happy to be an actor in the metaverse, as I am mainly a digital artist. I think I have my place out there, and hopefully doing some exhibitions in the US and the UK.
Madison Caprara:
Is there anything in particular you would like to end the interview on?
Samy Halim:
Dreams have a certain price, patience, and faith and anyone who wants to reach them has to invest the time.
Takeover Tuesday with Murat Sayginer
Q&A with Murat Sayginer, a Turkish self-taught digital artist who works in motion design, filmmaking, photography, and music composition.
Q&A with Murat Sayginer
Read time: 5min
Zodiac - Evolution, 2014. Murat Sayginer.
Madison Caprara:
Hi, Murat! If you don’t mind, I’d like to start the interview by having you give a little background on yourself and your work for those who may be unfamiliar.
Murat Sayginer:
I am a self-taught digital artist and I work as a motion designer, filmmaker, photographer, and composer.
I got involved with photography and digital art in 2007. As early as 2008, my works started getting recognition. I got selected for the IPA Best of Show exhibition in New York and in 2010, I was awarded Emerging Talent of the Year in The Photography Gala Awards. These awards motivated me even further to pursue my creative calling.
Murat Sayginer:
Later on, I got into 3D and motion design. I wanted to create new realities that break free from the limitations of the physical world and use them in my storytelling. Starting in 2013, I directed and produced several animated short films which were screened in over 200 film festivals including Academy Award Qualifying Festivals, such as Animest and AIFVF.
In 2019, I assembled ten of these short films under the title of The Flying Fish which is one of my seminal works. The Flying Fish went on to receive the Vitriol Award as the Best Experimental Film in The First Hermetic International Film Festival in Venice.
Madison Caprara:
Motion design, filmmaking, photography, music composition...what niche did you being exploring first, and what originally drew you to it?
Murat Sayginer:
I started with photography but couldn’t get enough of it. Now, it’s more about creating no matter the medium.
Madison Caprara:
Do you find yourself prioritizing or favoring one niche over the others?
Volans, 2013. Murat Sayginer.
Murat Sayginer:
I believe that the essence of a piece should define its format before all.
Madison Caprara:
Now, I understand that you are self-taught. How did you go about developing your skills?
Murat Sayginer:
I learned a lot from online tutorials. That’s really it. The rest is the effort you put in.
Madison Caprara:
You are pretty involved in the NFT space. When and why did you start?
Murat Sayginer:
I got into NFTs about 10 months ago. “Because it felt so empty, without me.”
Madison Caprara:
There seems to be a lot of debate on the differentiation between “artwork” and “crypto artwork”? Do you notice a difference in the two’s creative processes?
Murat Sayginer:
NFT’s didn’t bring anything new to the table in terms of digital art. It’s just a matter of presentation and circulation.
Extremes, 2015. Murat Sayginer.
Madison Caprara:
How do you decide if you are going to create a “normal” or a“crypto” piece?
Murat Sayginer:
It really doesn’t make a difference to me. I create a piece and it becomes part of the blockchain when minted.
Madison Caprara:
From your experience, what is the most important thing new artists and collectors need to be aware of before delving into the metaverse?
Murat Sayginer:
Security, research, communication, and your network.
Madison Caprara:
What is your opinion on the current NFT scene? Where do you see it going in the future?
Murat Sayginer:
My latest project refractions.xyz puts a finger on the map. Let’s include the intro in this interview!
“We’ve lost track of The Flying Fish. This is a new, yet familiar, territory. A dimension where physics is ruled by metaphors, and fiction builds reality. Those CryptoFish seem to be leading the way, looks like we’re gonna be sailing for a while…
Morphing Dreamscapes from a Cosmic Exhibition
The migration is happening. Feeding on all sorts of creations. The metaverse has become a digital playground with an ever-expanding gravitational mass. The transition won’t be simple as we’re building a home made of light in the pivotal phase of our evolution. Not that any of this requires conscious effort.”
Say That You Love Me, 2020. Murat Sayginer.
Madison Caprara:
Pivoting over to your filmmaking experience, your short film, The Flying Fish, gained quite the notoriety. You briefly mentioned it, but can you tell us more about the film?
Murat Sayginer:
Collaborative efforts were made for the music, but the rest took about seven years to complete. As for the inspiration, I wouldn’t know where to start. Astrology had a great influence on the story.
Madison Caprara:
Though the film lacks the traditional sense of a narrative, it still conveys an important message: the human condition and our progress as a whole. Why was this theme so important to you?
Murat Sayginer:
I had to be practical in terms of length and quality. The traditional rules and narratives weren’t as sharp. The theme wasn’t especially important for me, I just had the right amount of experience to talk about it.
Madison Caprara:
What initially surprised you when entering the filmmaking industry that you had been previously unaware of as a motion designer?
Murat Sayginer:
My life has turned into a cartoon. What else can surprise an animator?
Madison Caprara:
You compose the music in your films, correct? What importance does music hold in your life as an artist?
Murat Sayginer:
I like how undeniable can music be. Harmony and beauty lift every piece higher.
Madison Caprara:
And finally, is there anything particularly exciting we should be looking forward to from you in the near future?
Murat Sayginer:
Cryptofish.io will be my main focus for now!
The Flying Fish, 2019. Murat Sayginer.