Takeover Tuesday with Sazan Pasori
Q&A with Sazan Pasori, an Animator, Designer, and Art Director based in Los Angeles.
Q&A with Sazan Pasori
Read time: 5min
ABBA Night Promo | Monty Bar
Madison Caprara:
Hi, Sazan! Why don’t you give us a little introduction to yourself to start us off?
Sazan Pasori:
My name is Sazan (pronounced SUH-zan). I’m an Art Director and Motion Designer based in Los Angeles. I’m a lover of color and art that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I feel lucky to get to make fun little animations for a job, but I think even if I didn’t work in this industry, I would be pulled to create things. It really feels like a compulsion!
Madison Caprara:
What education route did you end up going down, and how do you feel that experience has helped you develop as a creative?
Sazan Pasori:
I went to college at the University of San Francisco, where I studied creative writing and graphic design. I didn’t really know what I wanted out of a career, but I would lose track of time writing and designing, and figured if I could combine the two somehow down the line, that would be a pretty cool career. I eventually landed on motion design/animation/art direction after moonlighting in visual merchandising, copywriting, and creative strategy. Some motion designers I had met also encouraged me to try it out. It felt like an “a-ha” moment. I quickly dove into YouTube tutorials and animation boot camps and got totally hooked. The rest is herstory!
Madison Caprara:
Now, a lot of art directors have pretty diverse backgrounds--such as yourself! What do you think are some key qualities or experiences that good AD’s have in common?
Sazan Pasori:
In my opinion, the best art directors have a combination of instinct and discipline. Generally, they’re creative people with “an eye,” but the best ones spend lots of time researching references, developing their craft, and continually evolving/improving their output. I aspire to be this kind of art director!
Madison Caprara:
Having to wear so many hats, do you have a favorite niche or role to work within?
Sazan Pasori:
I’m a believer in the oneness of creative pursuits...I guess what I’m trying to say is that I don’t have a favorite!
Lately, I’ve really enjoyed directing and making music! Growing up, my dad spoke a lot of different languages and said the more he acquired, the next language he learned came to him easier. I feel creative pursuits are the same. I love exploring new applications of expression.
Madison Caprara:
What’s it like to work for GIPHY? Give us the lowdown.
Sazan Pasori:
Working at GIPHY is like working at a wacky animated online library. I’m just one of the librarians.
Madison Caprara:
So fun! What is it about GIFs that make them so popular in everyday conversation, in your opinion?
Sazan Pasori:
The English language can sometimes fail to capture subtle moments and feelings. GIFs give you the satisfaction of specificity, physical expression, and relatability.
Madison Caprara:
What has been your favorite, or most memorable, project to date?
Jonas Brothers x GIPHY
Sazan Pasori:
This year I co-directed an animated short with my GIPHY colleague, Tianna Harvey, titled, Blobs in Space. The one-minute animation is a 2D/3D ballad turned disco bop about connection in the time of COVID-19. Check it out! It’s a hilarious and tragic little journey.
Madison Caprara:
Pivoting back to your role, what are some of the most unexpected challenges or frustrations you have had to deal with?
Sazan Pasori:
I think artists of all kinds feel an immense amount of pressure to constantly produce new work (I know I struggle with this). I’ve definitely suffered from burnout and am working towards a life where rest and recovery are critical parts of my creative process.
Madison Caprara:
Who are some of your biggest artistic influences?
Sazan Pasori:
Everybody who knows me knows I’m a supa dupa mega Missy Elliott stan. She is my idol! Her multi-hyphenate background and out-of-the-box approach still feel like the future.
Madison Caprara:
What are some of your top career goals? Are there any you have already achieved?
Sazan Pasori:
In my opinion “career goals,” are better framed as “creative pursuits,” as I mentioned previously. A career is so tied up in your livelihood—how can my job pay my bills, you know? When you try to tie your livelihood and identity to a career...and your goals! WHEW! Now you’re simply asking too much from your career.
As far as my “career goals” go though, I’ve made it! I get to make things and get paid enough to live my life. In the future, I’d love to make longer-form content and experiment more with analog techniques.
Madison Caprara:
That’s a really healthy way to look at your career. We do have a tendency to make our job titles and identities synonymous.
Do you have any advice for aspiring art directors?
Behance: Sazan Pasori | Angel Off-Duty
Sazan Pasori:
My advice would be to just start making things! When I first started out as a designer, I was terrified to even put pen to paper. Sure, a lot of the stuff I made at first sucked, but you have to push through that initial stage until you start making things that look cool.
Madison Caprara:
Great advice!
Now, as we start to wrap it up, is there anything in particular that you would like to end this interview on?
Sazan Pasori:
A quote that has brought me immense comfort as a creative and as a person is: “Whatever it is you’re seeking, won’t come in the form you’re expecting.”
The quote is by fiction author, Haruki Murakami, and reminds me to ease up a little and let things play out. White knuckling a project, your career, or life won’t change it’s outcome.
Takeover Tuesday with Lo Harris
Q&A with Lauren (Lo) Harris, an NYC-based Digital Artist who specializes in illustration and motion design.
Q&A with Lo Harris
Read time: 5min
Madison Caprara:
How’re you doing, Lo? Why don’t you give us a little introduction to yourself and your work?
Lo Harris:
I’m Lo Harris, a Brooklyn-based Digital Artist who specializes in illustration and motion design. I’ve created graphics and illustrations for a variety of brands within the intersections of lifestyle, fashion, technology, and social justice. I utilize bright palettes, strong figures, and relational compositions to create work that champions vibrance, confidence, humanity, and joy.
Madison Caprara:
How did you find yourself where you are today?
Lo Harris:
I always drew as a kid, but I created my art account on Instagram at the end of 2019 in an attempt to finally define and explore my artistic style. When I made the account I used my childhood nickname, “Lo,” because I didn’t want my acquaintances to stumble upon my practice while I was still trying to figure my style out. But by the summer of 2020, my work picked up some traction and I began freelancing until I eventually felt comfortable taking the leap! To this day I’m still figuring my style out!
Madison Caprara:
You specialize in both illustration and animation, which do you find yourself gravitating more towards?
Lo Harris:
At the moment I gravitate more towards illustration. My animation background is deeply rooted in graphics for journalism (breaking news, infographics, etc.) While I still love animation, I think my past experience of needing to rush projects to meet daily news deadlines is something I’m still bouncing back from. One of my biggest professional goals is to start rethinking how I’d like to apply animation to my personal work. I’d like to challenge myself with doing more interesting things animation-wise, even if it’s harder or riskier. It’s time to capitalize on the newfound flexibility I have as a freelancer!
Madison Caprara:
Let’s talk a bit about your background in journalism. It’s where you began your career, correct? At what point did you pivot towards the creative industry? Why?
Lo Harris:
I graduated from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism in 2018. Throughout my time there, I taught myself After Effects. In those days I was deeply inspired by Vox explainer videos and wanted to learn how they brought complex ideas to life through motion design. While there wasn't much institutional guidance from my school when it came to motion design, I was lucky enough to get internships at publications like The New York Times where I could fill in the blanks and learn from fabulous animators and art directors on the job. It was from that point that I was officially teetering on the intersection of news and creative. I continued to take motion design jobs in the news industry from then on out.
Madison Caprara:
And when did you go from working full time to freelance? Was there anything in particular that prompted you to make that decision?
Lo Harris:
I officially left NBC News in January 2021 to focus on my freelance career. It was a very scary decision, I was 24 and had never quit a job before. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have even thought to take the leap if my illustration work had not been gaining traction online and in the news. Beyond that, the summer of 2020 and all of the protests definitely had me questioning my presence in the newsroom as a black woman.
I had to start asking myself some serious questions: “Was my voice and experience being respected? Could I be making a difference in a way that didn’t jeopardize my mental health? How did I know that people would still like my work, even after the protests?” I’ve met some amazing people in the newsroom and I will forever celebrate my colleagues who were in the trenches with me tossing keyframes. But the conditions were practically perfect for me to take a big risk and actually invest in myself. I’m so glad I didn’t play it safe.
Madison Caprara:
What’s that quote? “The cost of playing it safe could far exceed the cost of daring to change?” Something like that. Definitely something that is easier said than done, so mad props to you for taking that leap.
Now, let’s take a look at your creative process. When a client initially commissions a project from you, what’s the first thing that you do?
Lo Harris:
Typically in early correspondence, I’ll ask the client for the administrative logistics: A brief of deliverables, licensing details, timeline, dimensions, brand-specific references if applicable, and budget. Clients aren't often forthcoming with their budget expectations, but I like to ask anyway. If this information is given to me through a call, I’ll take notes but still ask them for an email with the details in writing. I also don't start working until a contract is signed. After that, I’ll follow up with sketches, color palettes, and up to two revisions.
Madison Caprara:
Who has been your favorite client or project to date?
Lo Harris:
I had a lot of fun with Bombay Sapphire and the Other Art Fair. It was a very comprehensive collaboration that featured many moving parts including a virtual exhibition. It was also my first time drawing stills and passing them on to another animator, her name is Sam Corey. It was great seeing her interpretation of the style frames I drew because I feel like every animator would intuit a style frame differently.
Madison Caprara:
I love your gif work. You’re pretty much a Giphy rockstar, tell us more about that!
Lo Harris:
An accidental* Giphy rockstar! The team at Giphy Arts is awesome and they are one of my favorite clients because of the variety and freedom their projects afford. My first gifs were commissioned by Giphy for the presidential election. I find that they’re a great platform for dishing out simple, poppy animations and messages.
Madison Caprara:
You seem to be very passionate about fostering artistic opportunities and professional advancement for other artists, that’s amazing! Tell us a bit about that.
Lo Harris:
One thing about me is that I will share! I’m very passionate about speaking and sharing with other artists, especially as it pertains to the business side of things and advocating for your worth.
So many amazing creatives get taken advantage of because they are so focused on the art. It’s important for artists, even if they have agents, to watch their money, read their contracts, watch their practice, and stand up for their own best interest. Even if it means you have to confront an agent, manager, or even a client. I have a YouTube channel and a TikTok (@loharris_art) pretty much dedicated to sharing information and uplifting artists.
Madison Caprara:
Where did that passion originate?
Lo Harris:
I got tired of feeling like I always had to prove myself to people or “pay my dues.” Don’t get me wrong, if you're inexperienced and want to break into an industry, the best thing you can do is approach a job with a can-do attitude and acquaint yourself with even the most mundane parts of the job. But after a while, you have to really take inventory and give yourself permission to have boundaries. Hold yourself, your skills, and your time with esteem.
Earlier in my career, I developed a say-yes-to-everything mentality that sometimes shuttled me into situations that were crazy stories for a dinner party, at best, or utterly dehumanizing and possibly a labor lawsuit, at worst. I feel lucky that I’ve learned how to balance working hard and doing good work with respecting myself and my work. I’m excited to continue empowering other creatives to do the same!
Madison Caprara:
If you could lend one piece of advice to someone just starting out within the creative field, what would it be?
Lo Harris:
Please keep creating, even when you feel like your work looks bad. It’s a part of the process. Just keep going and I promise, it will all make sense!
Madison Caprara:
Where do you find yourself consistently going for inspiration?
Lo Harris:
I used to have pinboards and whatnot. Nowadays, I may be walking around town and see a crazy color or a tree that makes me happy and I’ll draw from that essence. Alternatively, I’m very self-reflective and sensitive. I often like to illustrate inspirational sentiments I’m working through in order to make myself feel better.
Madison Caprara:
Well, unfortunately, we’re reaching the end, Lo. It was really great getting to know more about you. Do you have any closing points, advice, or statements you’d like to share?
Lo Harris:
Be the first to bet on yourself, always!