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.
Routes to Raleigh: Dashing from the West
(1) Starting Point: Los Angeles, California
Hollywood Boulevard. Shutterstock, 1 Mar 2016, https://bit.ly/lastockphoto.
To Do: The Broad, a contemporary art museum offering free general admission and an active program of rotating exhibitions.
To Eat: The Little Door, with a consistently rotating menu, The Little Door holds the title for the "Best Romantic Restaurant of LA." A Parisian-style restaurant with seasonal French fare, pastries, and fine wines.
To Drink: Bar Bohemian, a sleek, bright and breezy craft cocktail rooftop bar and lounge at Citizen Public Market.
(2) Albuquerque, New Mexico
To Stay: Painted Lady Bed & Brew, a twist on the traditional B&B concept. Built in 1881 as a brothel and saloon, The Painted Lady is rumored to be haunted, if you’re into that sort of thing.
To Do: Hike La Luz Trail to the top of South Sandia Peak for a beautiful view of the city. If the weather’s good, take the cable car back down to the bottom.
To Eat: Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm, technically a hotel, but their restaurant’s food is grown right on the property.
To Drink: Sip on local wines at Casa Rondeña Winery.
(3) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City Skyline Sunset. Pixels, 13 Apr 2019, https://bit.ly/okstockphoto.
To Stay: Colcord Hotel, housed in a historic building from the 1910s, the Colcord is a boutique hotel smack in the middle of the downtown scene.
To Do: Ride OKC’s Bike + Brews, a three-hour-long bike tour, with stops at five breweries and a few other notable city sites along the way.
To Eat: Grey Sweater, one of OKC's newest and most unique restaurant concepts.
To Drink: Elemental Coffee, a minimalist cafe with espresso and craft coffee drinks. Their beans are roasted in-house!
(4) Nashville, Tennessee
Spirit of Nashville Bus. Shutterstock, 15 Feb 2020, https://bit.ly/nashstockphoto.
To Stay: Kimpton Aertson Hotel, located in Nashville’s Midtown district next to the legendary, Music Row. Pet friendly!
To Do: You can’t go to Music City without hearing some live music. Go see a show at the Grand Ole Opry.
To Eat: Pinewood Social, a trendy restaurant, cozy coffee shop, craft cocktail bar, and a bowling alley. All in one!
To Drink: Yee-Haw Brewing Co., a dual distillery and brewery in Sobro that is a much-loved go-to.
(5) Asheville, North Carolina
To Stay: The Foundry Hotel Asheville, restored and resurrected an abandoned steel foundry.
To Do: Take a hike in the Pisgah National Forest.
To Eat: Jargon, located in historic West Asheville, Jargon is an intimate spot that offers modern American dishes along with craft cocktails.
To Drink: Capella on 9 takes rooftop drinking to the next level. Smack in the middle of downtown Asheville, Capella has a great cocktail program with phenomenal city views.
Welcome to Raleigh, West Coasters!
