Graphic design can often be a field of little gratitude. You put in hours of work to usually make someone else look good and receive little praise in return. But sometimes a designer steps out of the shadows and becomes as well known as his work, or even more so. Australian designer Peter Gould is one of the few who has successfully established himself and whose very name has become synonymous with a particular style. Are you a fan of Shaykh Hamza Yusuf? He designed the Sandala site. What about Sami Yusuf? Yep, his site, branding and album where Peters work too. And there must be something about the name Yusuf because even the legendary Yusuf Islam has had the Gould touch on various projects of his. Lets put it this way, if you’re Muslim and are online (which would be quite difficult not to be considering you’re reading this…ahem) then you have more than likely come across his work before.
He mixes art, design, photography and digital art to create everything from websites, artwork and whole clothing lines. After accepting Islam in 2002 his travels took him across the Muslim world where he was to be inspired by the architecture and lifestyle. This inspiration can clearly be seen in his work today.
I asked him a few questions recently which he was gracious enough to take time out from his schedule to answer. So enjoy, and if you do, please share this with someone who you think will enjoy it as well.
Islam has a tradition of high art and design. Where has this appreciation gone?
I think the appreciation has always been there but the global community is in a period of transformation, along with their creative communities. I love the fact we have Muslim street artists & highly digital pixel artists but also traditional craftspeople working in centuries-old techniques. This is the breadth and beauty of our faith.
“God is beautiful and loves beauty.” How important is the role of good design today?
If we think of commercial design we immediately think about how global brands and advertising campaigns are reaching every corner of the planet, driving consumerist lifestyles. We need to harness the power of good design and creative work and steer those efforts into more constructive means. Certainly in my case I try to help clients make these Islamic inspired events and products look great and reflect the beauty of their intention. Too many times I’ve seen ‘Islamic’ events, organisations and products marketed terribly with awful design. We have so much catching up to do.
The Islamic influence is clear in your work. Where else do you turn to for inspiration?
My faith is a driving force in my creative pursuits but on a specific level I like to travel often and observe how different cultures use graphic design. I like how exploring how global brands adapt to certain regions like how Western brands “Arabize” in Dubai. I read blogs daily and follow certain designers & trends. But sometimes it’s the most random thing that will give you an idea for a project where you least expected it.
I have to credit you with raising the level of professionalism amongst Muslim Graphic Designers. Unfortunately the arts are not considered fields that hold the same respect as medicine or engineering. What would you say to someone who wants to pursue this as a career but is put off by this outlook?
Alhumdulilah for the many blessings in my career and the opportunity to work with great clients. There is an emerging generation of designers who are started to service the Ummah in beautiful ways. Whenever I present to groups of younger people I get a few who come and talk to me afterwards. There’s no stopping them inshaAllah, but it would be great to have wider support from the community.
Its always nice to find out you designed a site that I’m a fan of design wise. What are your favourites and why?
Working with creative geniuses like Yusuf Islam Sami Yusuf has been an amazing blessing and brands like Zaytuna & Taleef in California are such an honor. All have played a big part in my personal path to God, so the opportunity to serve them in a small way with graphic design is a total treat for me.
The internet has opened up the design world in unimaginable ways. What would you say the next game changer will be?
One of my favourite authors is Ray Kurzweil, I even met him once. He is somewhat of a radical visionary with books about the age of super-intelligent computers and bio-genetic engineering, even “The Singularity”. I don’t think it will all happen but we’ve certainly got some exciting times ahead. Specifically for designers keep an eye on mobile platforms and augmented reality (AR).
Sami Yusuf and Yusuf Islam have a freestyle battle for exclusive use of the name Yusuf. Who would win?
