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Featured Artist Interview - Sameer Kulavoor
BY
Gwen
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In the world of graphic lovers, it's not hard to see why illustrator/animator Sameer Kulavoor has been making waves with his brand of personable local humour, injected with just a dash of razor-sharp wit. Having worked with notable agencies like JWT India and Leo Burnett India, his well-horned instincts have been put to delightful use, as seen from his vast body of work, from rock band Pentagram to Hard Rock Dhaba, from spontaneous graphics to story-telling animation. We just want to know: How much does it take to be this successful in a burgeoning industry that churns out talent by the tonnes every second?
TAXI>> Hi Sameer. Welcome and nice to have you with us. How have you been?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Hi, thanks! December 06 was hectic but had a week-long new year break with friends and family away from town and work, so I’ve started 2007 rather late work wise :)
TAXI>> The latest update on your website indicates you've been busy with some ongoing print/motion projects. Would you please elaborate on that?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Yes, there were some interesting projects. I did this 10-sec logo animation of a production company here in India called ‘Chasing Ganesha’ for Grandmotherindia, the final outcome of which I’m very pleased with! Also, cartoon-style illustrations for Fortune Communications’ Christmas ad campaign of India’s leading daily, ‘The Times Of India’. And I did comic-style illustrations for a social service ad campaign for Rediffusion DY&R, and “photo manipulated-illustrations” for Lowe India’s ad campaign of Clinic All Clear shampoos. I illustrated Lowe New York’s ad campaign for Perdue Chicken and the cover for ‘Animation Today’ magazine. December has been good!
TAXI>> How do you decide whether to take on a project?
Sameer Kulavoor>> I take up different kinds of projects, be it web animation, print illustration, TV broadcast (redundant) animation, or film animation. Though I'm open to working on a certain brief, i enjoy working on projects that have room for self-interpretation, conceptually or stylistically. Also what matters is the people with whom you work — working with the right people is a BIG learning experience. And last, but surely not the least, the money!
TAXI>> You have a vast and varied portfolio of clients, from MNCs to rock band Pentagram. What are some of your favourite pieces of works to date?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Tough question :) Usually my last piece is my favourite! Because as I learn new methods and new ideas, I imagine how differently my previous pieces could've been! What if this piece was done in that manner? Or that idea could’ve been better like this. If I had to point out a favourite from the viewpoint of learning, it would be the Pentagram music video, because it was made when in college and lack of funds and know how really made me push myself to the limit!
TAXI>> Your sketches are mainly of human beings, even drawings of animals and objects are often humanized and humorous. Would you say homo sapiens are your ultimate inspiration?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Oh yes! As a child, my stick figures were pretty detailed as compared to those of my classmates! I like to observe and draw homo sapiens: their expressions, body languages, looks, attires... the varieties were endless. Be it in the local public transport or another town or country, homo sapiens have always been inspiring!
TAXI>> Who or what are your greatest influences?
Sameer Kulavoor>> The web has been one of the greatest influences. My surroundings, the different places and faces of Mumbai. Music and travel also influence my work. Also, my friend, Gayatri Dixit, who has been a great influence to the way I think, feel and the way I work.
TAXI>> You mentioned in an earlier interview that "your main subjects for your creative outbursts are fashion and music". What are you listening to right now?
Sameer Kulavoor>> These days I switch between Flaming Lips, Pentagram and Thom Yorke’s The Eraser depending on my mood. I like listening to new sounds every now and then.
TAXI>> Even the "Stuff that doesn't sell" portion of your website is awesome, reflecting your fine eye for detail, colour and composition. Are there any plans to collaborate or create your own product or clothing line?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Yes, there are plans to collaborate on some ideas. We even have some handmade pieces ready! It will take some time to figure out the logistics for the ideas to materialize, most of these ideas are scattered and they need to be streamlined and executed well. Good ideas need the right production too and it’s comparatively tough to find good production guys here in India.
TAXI>> What are some of the pros and cons of working for yourself?
Sameer Kulavoor>> The good part about working for yourself is the choices that you have. Also, you learn a lot while making those choices. It's not always easy. The opportunity to work with a lot of different kinds of people is in itself a great experience. Monotony is boring; working for yourself is not monotonous. It's always great when you get a nice illustration job after days of motion/animation work, and vice versa. It keeps me on my feet. One major problem with working freelance is the delays in payment and subsequent chase. Also, it's initially tough to find your ground and there are rough patches but once you spend some time and know the industry, it's not all that tough.
TAXI>> Having worked on both print and motion graphics, which do you prefer and why?
Sameer Kulavoor>> My heart prefers print illustration design (redundant) while my pocket likes motion graphics! While designing illustrations for print, I like to keep my work spontaneous and communicative. Animation/motion graphics need to be planned to a great extent with storyboards, mood frames and character designs in some cases. It has a few stages and in most cases it requires more than one person to execute it effectively. I think print illustration is a more personal experience than animation/motion graphics.
TAXI>> How was your recent tour? Did it live up to your expectations?
Sameer Kulavoor>> My recent long tour was to Rajasthan, a BEAUTIFUL and state located in the northwest of India — one of the culturally rich states of India. I had gone there for the first time and in reality it was far better than whatever I had expected from reading about the place. Out of all the wonderful places that I saw there was the Jaisalmer Fort, a colorful melange of small, winding lanes packed with houses, temples, shops and people going about their daily routines. You can even find cyber cafes, hotels and cafes among small painters’ shops, antique sellers, colourful textiles, block-printed clothes, leather bound sketchbooks and camels! There are a lot of handicraft items in this 900-year-old fort! I recommend it to anyone who plans to tour India!
TAXI>> Many designers are entering the field with little or no drawing skills. Coming from a drawing background, how important do you think it is to be able to draw well in your industry? What are some advantages that you have personally encountered because of your drawing skills?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Drawing skills are important because it helps you think and express with clarity. Since ours is a field of visual communication, drawing is inevitable. It also helps you to experiment and innovate, and develop freeflowing, spontaneous work. Very few students realize this early and tend to get carried away with digital/computer knowledge drawing to break 'grids' and rules. The main advantage of drawing skills is that I don’t have to rely on anyone to get an idea or thought across.
TAXI>> What is in the pipeline for your next tour or exhibition?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Well, since I just had a big tour and several small ones recently. There’s no tour planned so far for the immediate future... I would want to exhibit more in 2007 and I’m looking for the right places and people, both in India and abroad.
TAXI>> India has been one of the world's greatest producers of design graduates, with the number increasing steadily over the years. What kind of impact do you think this will have on the future of India's design industry?
Sameer Kulavoor>> One major change will be the increase in number of good 'independent' artists and designers, which I see is already steadily increasing. In turn it will also improve the overall standard of design here. Also in terms of design content, I see an increase in traditional Indian design ideas is (redundant) on the cards, and it is some stiff competition to the West!
TAXI>> What kind of role do you see yourself playing in India's design landscape?
Sameer Kulavoor>> I would want to increase awareness about illustration among students here. Illustrators are dwindling in India. The use of cheap, ineffective, unoriginal clipart images will stop only if we have more young Indians taking up illustration. India has so much traditional content that can be brought out very effectively through illustrations in different mediums. Creative inspiration is abundant here; it needs to be tapped and sensible use of good illustrations can change India’s design landscape.
TAXI>> Who would you want to collaborate with?
Sameer Kulavoor>> I would love to collaborate on projects with motion graphic firms like Studio AKA in UK and Psyop in the US. They have been churning out some KICKASS motion design work and collaborating with them will be an experience. Besides, I would also like to collaborate with writers, photographers, movie makers, fashion brands, etc where there’s scope for experimentation in design, illustration and motion.
TAXI>> If you were to do it all over again, would you still choose design as a career?
Sameer Kulavoor>> No doubt about it!
TAXI>>>> It has been great talking to you, Sameer. Before we end, tell us a place where you want a taxi to bring you right now.
Sameer Kulavoor>> Thank you! It’s my pleasure. I would love to go to New York or Tokyo, where I could watch and document people and places and hopefully get bigger clients and more work! Well, if your TAXI has wings... :)
© 2007 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.
TAXI>> Hi Sameer. Welcome and nice to have you with us. How have you been?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Hi, thanks! December 06 was hectic but had a week-long new year break with friends and family away from town and work, so I’ve started 2007 rather late work wise :)
TAXI>> The latest update on your website indicates you've been busy with some ongoing print/motion projects. Would you please elaborate on that?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Yes, there were some interesting projects. I did this 10-sec logo animation of a production company here in India called ‘Chasing Ganesha’ for Grandmotherindia, the final outcome of which I’m very pleased with! Also, cartoon-style illustrations for Fortune Communications’ Christmas ad campaign of India’s leading daily, ‘The Times Of India’. And I did comic-style illustrations for a social service ad campaign for Rediffusion DY&R, and “photo manipulated-illustrations” for Lowe India’s ad campaign of Clinic All Clear shampoos. I illustrated Lowe New York’s ad campaign for Perdue Chicken and the cover for ‘Animation Today’ magazine. December has been good!
TAXI>> How do you decide whether to take on a project?
Sameer Kulavoor>> I take up different kinds of projects, be it web animation, print illustration, TV broadcast (redundant) animation, or film animation. Though I'm open to working on a certain brief, i enjoy working on projects that have room for self-interpretation, conceptually or stylistically. Also what matters is the people with whom you work — working with the right people is a BIG learning experience. And last, but surely not the least, the money!
TAXI>> You have a vast and varied portfolio of clients, from MNCs to rock band Pentagram. What are some of your favourite pieces of works to date?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Tough question :) Usually my last piece is my favourite! Because as I learn new methods and new ideas, I imagine how differently my previous pieces could've been! What if this piece was done in that manner? Or that idea could’ve been better like this. If I had to point out a favourite from the viewpoint of learning, it would be the Pentagram music video, because it was made when in college and lack of funds and know how really made me push myself to the limit!
TAXI>> Your sketches are mainly of human beings, even drawings of animals and objects are often humanized and humorous. Would you say homo sapiens are your ultimate inspiration?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Oh yes! As a child, my stick figures were pretty detailed as compared to those of my classmates! I like to observe and draw homo sapiens: their expressions, body languages, looks, attires... the varieties were endless. Be it in the local public transport or another town or country, homo sapiens have always been inspiring!
TAXI>> Who or what are your greatest influences?
Sameer Kulavoor>> The web has been one of the greatest influences. My surroundings, the different places and faces of Mumbai. Music and travel also influence my work. Also, my friend, Gayatri Dixit, who has been a great influence to the way I think, feel and the way I work.
TAXI>> You mentioned in an earlier interview that "your main subjects for your creative outbursts are fashion and music". What are you listening to right now?
Sameer Kulavoor>> These days I switch between Flaming Lips, Pentagram and Thom Yorke’s The Eraser depending on my mood. I like listening to new sounds every now and then.
TAXI>> Even the "Stuff that doesn't sell" portion of your website is awesome, reflecting your fine eye for detail, colour and composition. Are there any plans to collaborate or create your own product or clothing line?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Yes, there are plans to collaborate on some ideas. We even have some handmade pieces ready! It will take some time to figure out the logistics for the ideas to materialize, most of these ideas are scattered and they need to be streamlined and executed well. Good ideas need the right production too and it’s comparatively tough to find good production guys here in India.
TAXI>> What are some of the pros and cons of working for yourself?
Sameer Kulavoor>> The good part about working for yourself is the choices that you have. Also, you learn a lot while making those choices. It's not always easy. The opportunity to work with a lot of different kinds of people is in itself a great experience. Monotony is boring; working for yourself is not monotonous. It's always great when you get a nice illustration job after days of motion/animation work, and vice versa. It keeps me on my feet. One major problem with working freelance is the delays in payment and subsequent chase. Also, it's initially tough to find your ground and there are rough patches but once you spend some time and know the industry, it's not all that tough.
TAXI>> Having worked on both print and motion graphics, which do you prefer and why?
Sameer Kulavoor>> My heart prefers print illustration design (redundant) while my pocket likes motion graphics! While designing illustrations for print, I like to keep my work spontaneous and communicative. Animation/motion graphics need to be planned to a great extent with storyboards, mood frames and character designs in some cases. It has a few stages and in most cases it requires more than one person to execute it effectively. I think print illustration is a more personal experience than animation/motion graphics.
TAXI>> How was your recent tour? Did it live up to your expectations?
Sameer Kulavoor>> My recent long tour was to Rajasthan, a BEAUTIFUL and state located in the northwest of India — one of the culturally rich states of India. I had gone there for the first time and in reality it was far better than whatever I had expected from reading about the place. Out of all the wonderful places that I saw there was the Jaisalmer Fort, a colorful melange of small, winding lanes packed with houses, temples, shops and people going about their daily routines. You can even find cyber cafes, hotels and cafes among small painters’ shops, antique sellers, colourful textiles, block-printed clothes, leather bound sketchbooks and camels! There are a lot of handicraft items in this 900-year-old fort! I recommend it to anyone who plans to tour India!
TAXI>> Many designers are entering the field with little or no drawing skills. Coming from a drawing background, how important do you think it is to be able to draw well in your industry? What are some advantages that you have personally encountered because of your drawing skills?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Drawing skills are important because it helps you think and express with clarity. Since ours is a field of visual communication, drawing is inevitable. It also helps you to experiment and innovate, and develop freeflowing, spontaneous work. Very few students realize this early and tend to get carried away with digital/computer knowledge drawing to break 'grids' and rules. The main advantage of drawing skills is that I don’t have to rely on anyone to get an idea or thought across.
TAXI>> What is in the pipeline for your next tour or exhibition?
Sameer Kulavoor>> Well, since I just had a big tour and several small ones recently. There’s no tour planned so far for the immediate future... I would want to exhibit more in 2007 and I’m looking for the right places and people, both in India and abroad.
TAXI>> India has been one of the world's greatest producers of design graduates, with the number increasing steadily over the years. What kind of impact do you think this will have on the future of India's design industry?
Sameer Kulavoor>> One major change will be the increase in number of good 'independent' artists and designers, which I see is already steadily increasing. In turn it will also improve the overall standard of design here. Also in terms of design content, I see an increase in traditional Indian design ideas is (redundant) on the cards, and it is some stiff competition to the West!
TAXI>> What kind of role do you see yourself playing in India's design landscape?
Sameer Kulavoor>> I would want to increase awareness about illustration among students here. Illustrators are dwindling in India. The use of cheap, ineffective, unoriginal clipart images will stop only if we have more young Indians taking up illustration. India has so much traditional content that can be brought out very effectively through illustrations in different mediums. Creative inspiration is abundant here; it needs to be tapped and sensible use of good illustrations can change India’s design landscape.
TAXI>> Who would you want to collaborate with?
Sameer Kulavoor>> I would love to collaborate on projects with motion graphic firms like Studio AKA in UK and Psyop in the US. They have been churning out some KICKASS motion design work and collaborating with them will be an experience. Besides, I would also like to collaborate with writers, photographers, movie makers, fashion brands, etc where there’s scope for experimentation in design, illustration and motion.
TAXI>> If you were to do it all over again, would you still choose design as a career?
Sameer Kulavoor>> No doubt about it!
TAXI>>>> It has been great talking to you, Sameer. Before we end, tell us a place where you want a taxi to bring you right now.
Sameer Kulavoor>> Thank you! It’s my pleasure. I would love to go to New York or Tokyo, where I could watch and document people and places and hopefully get bigger clients and more work! Well, if your TAXI has wings... :)
© 2007 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.