Greetings knights. It has been a long time since our last interview and we apologize for that. We've been rather busy plotting bigger and better things for you guys, the recently concluded FlashQuests being one of them.

Today we return to our regular interviews with a short interview with Adrian Khan, the Creative Director at Y&R Brands Uganda. He came to Uganda 8 years ago and has since worked with top ad agencies Lowe Scanad and QG Saatchi & Saatchi producing some of the most notable ads seen in press recently.

I personally have worked with him before on many projects and I can say he's an awesome artist and not just with print but in his life as well. So without further a do, lets jump into the interview. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week I have the pleasure of interviewing this off the wall and wildly creative photographer and artist. It's quite hard to apply common descriptions to him but in his own words "I have trouble labeling who I am or what I do specifically or fit into, among my many other boxes I happen to photograph, and have built a small reputation for my photography more than any of my other interests." He's a geek - who can tell you all about IPTV, VOIP, VPN's, heavy stuff. But he's also a budding artist and one of Uganda's most prolific creative photographers. Most of his work looks like a GQ, or Vogue Magazine Calvin Klein Advert. It's amazing, it's freaky, it's a whole load of things and that is the beauty of it. It elicits different subconscious reactions in the viewer and that’s what I like about it. So on to the interview.

Martin, thank you for making the time for this interview. Could you please tell us more about yourself?

I'm a Ugandan, Born and partially bred, I'd say the odd years in a Ugandan boarding school is initiation enough into the culture and nationality.

I was always the designated photographer at events and family get together, back when camera's like Olympus came out with battery operated point and shoot 35mm. Eventually whilst climbing the Corporate Ladder a creative director spotted some of my photographs and encouraged me to develop my craft. So...One resignation, a few hungry nights and a SLR after, I is!

Great stuff. Now the work from your photography portfolio is mainly fashion shots, advert style and vivid portraits. Would you call yourself a fashion photographer? How did you find yourself?


Whilst learning about photography I explored every avenue open to me, from fashion, to reportage, fine art, gig photography, wedding, events, advertising and general commercial work. I'm focus lately more on fine art, fashion and hoping to develop the discipline for a photo documentary as well. Most of my interest is in exploring my own projects and pursuing grants for personal interests. But i also enjoy the challenge of commercial photography, delivering on a commission or brief.

I think your work is really outstanding. How did you become so good at photography? How much do you practice?

Um...I've read somewhere that you can't teach someone how to see. You either have it or don't, anyone can take a picture, even more so most people have one great image inside of them. Photographers are measured more by their consistency among other things. I'm still on a journey of becoming  better...maybe someday when I'm 50.. great.

Photography in the digital age is evolving, the technical challenge of the craft has kinda been kicked out the window by virtue of the ever so successful and affordable digital SLR. Being able to express yourself with a camera, tell a story well, from an unseen perspective.

I made sure never to use the auto setting on my digital camera, work as if it were film, restrict myself to a number of clicks. I rate a photographer on their precision, and attention to detail, seeing things that you would usually miss.

And personally challenge myself, by refusing to take a photograph of anything i feel has been done before seen before, unless i can offer a fresh perspective.

What influences or inspires you as a photographer?

Music tends to dictate what I photograph and how. Silence, Solitude....The image i took that won the Sony Award was born out of me being stuck in my room for a couple of days with a brand new camera dreaming up ideas and how to make something different. If I showed someone the gradual build up of images I took before I got to Itch, it would probably tell the story better.

Like most artists you can choose your source of inspiration and muses, sometimes its a fashion designer's apparel, an energetic model you just kinda have to tap into the vibes. And if you aren't feeling it, milk it out of something else. Like looking at paintings I love like Franci's Danby's "The Deluge"

What projects are you working on now and can you tell us a bit more about it?

I'm back in Uganda because of the horde of projects available to explore. Unfortunately a lot of them are commissioned work so, I have to keep it hush.

I work with/for KAMVAS (Kampala Visual Arts Studio) and we basically wake up every morning dreaming up projects and how and when to execute them.

I can say, I've been working with Gloria Wavamunno (fashion designer) in Kampala a lot, taking Fashion shoots to another level in the city and we are hoping to be able to showcase some of that work soon.

And I'm also working on an ongoing project for over a year now, where I photograph a race of humans from a parallel universe that I hope will raise some questions about evolution theories and creationism.

However the first picture i took that I love was of my girlfriend at the time in new york city on the subway, It was and still is a favourite of mine. She has a Rembrandt-esque expression on her face and the subway lighting, commotion, the attendant staring at us in the corner, there is so much in that shot that i adore, sometimes I find it frustrating that people don't connect to it as much as I do.

Tell us a bit about your general work flow: from idea, to concept to finished piece. What techniques, tools and software do you use?

I have little formula to anything I approach in Life, If i were to pin point it, its a decision to make sure I come back with something. Challenge myself to come back with something different in the day and take whatever camera i can get my hands on at the time and go and shoot. Though its a little embarrasing to say I still use my kit lens from my Canon 400D, I know better, but I've milked a lot out of that camera and lens and will eventually graduate when my finances permit me to.
Obviously Photoshop CS3 LEGITIMATE PURCHASE!!!!!  (in case adobe is reading this) 
A wacom tablet (essential for fashion photography and digital art)
Capture One is a great tool too.

What are the difficulties or challenges you face in your projects (personal and commercial work) and how do you overcome them?

If I can't see it, it makes it harder to shoot, and even more so to be invested and maintain an interest in photographing a subject. I need to be able to visualise my shot, or be passionate and intrigued with it. Without that connection it becomes a struggle to apply myself. Technically a photographer is just a technician, knows how to use light, and whatever else to make the most of the service you are paying him to provide. I tend to need some sort of connection beyond that with both personal and commercial work.

I also have a bad habit of moving away from a shoot after getting what I want, I have to learn to stick around, and patiently try and see more, capture more be open minded to other visual candies. Even more painful is an idea you thought would look great, just not coming together properly, or looking kinda flat afterward.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I see myself still challenging myself to be better, and different if that's even possible anymore. Mostly I see myself photographing, which is great, because sometimes I get so frustrated I vow to walk away and go pursue greatness in other fields. I'd like to be part of a body that promotes digital art in Africa. I know a huge number of great digital retouchers designers that have side line pieces of art they put together that are amazing, and still stuck in binary. So hopefully getting a few of you out of the closet and showing of your art.

Thank you for the time Martin and for the interview, do you have any last words of advice or tips for designers?

Yeah Photographer's, explore your curiosity, and I recommend using sites like Flickr, to get an idea of how far people are stretching photography. Like one of my favourite photographer/designers is a young guy on flickr known as Dunny / Paul Octavius... Brilliant mind... and he creates great artistry with the simplest of light tricks and props and ideas and he is also a magnificent graphic designer only because he is different, and his work consistently draws you into his little world of quirky thoughts and friends.
So show us something different, take me on a journey into your subconscious and stop blurring people's faces into texture-less mannequins…we've evolved passed that nonsense.

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And thats it from Martin. Clearly, here's a guy operating outside of the mediocrity comfort zone. I hope he has inspired you photographers, professional and amateur to rise to newer heights. Once again, Design Kingdom salutes you, Martin, another leader in creative excellence.

Hello faithful readers. Welcome yet again to another artist profile.

We have known this week's artist as far back as 2003, when we were all getting our feet wet in the wonderful world of computer design. He's a very talented graphic designer, has worked for Visual Effects, Watoto, Watoto Church and recently went freelance with his own design firm. He is also the genius behind the Design Kingdom logo. His name is Edward Merik Matovu.

As usual, we'll start with a brief artist bio, and then jump straight into the interview.

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Edward's Bio
I am a Ugandan visual artist working in graphic design and illustration. For the last 8 years I’ve worked on projects including, designing logos, corporate identity, beautifying websites, story book illustrations, promotional items and publication designs. My major tool of trade is the Adobe Creative Suite and I’m a good friend with Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. I’ve been working with Watoto Church (www.watotochurch.com) and for the last two years as an in-house graphic designer. I’m currently working as a freelance graphic artist for studiomataz.

Company — studiomataz (www.studiom.ug)
Blogs — edwardmatovu.wordpress.com
eMail — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Work
Watoto Church (2007-2009), Graphic Designer.
Visual Effects (2001-2007), Creative Director.
Lynx Graphics (2000-2001), Graphic Designer

Common Logos I’ve Worked on: Design Kingdom, Artfield Graphics, Visual Effects Limited, Yellow Taxi, City Oil, The Cellar, The Palette, Sage Paints,

Experience: Web and Print media

Platforms: Mac and PC

Software: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Fireworks, Flash and Dreamweaver, Corel Draw and Photopaint

Artistic Media: Pencil, Charcoal, Watercolour , Pen & Ink

First off, apologies, our fourth artist profile has been a little late, but it's here.

This week's digital artist is code named Artorius Rex at Elemental Edge. He is a VFX genius and the most humble, talented and open-hearted friend we've ever known. He has insanely fast execution time and loves tweaking and editing video to the finest detail. He has worked for Watoto, Elemental Edge, MGS Video and ADDMAYA.

His name is Arthur Nakkaka.

Welcome, Arthur. Could you please tell us more about yourself?

Arthur Nakkaka is my name. Am a finalist at Makerere University doing Electrical Engineering (majoring in Computing and Software Development). Currently I am a Design and Interactive Developer on ‘ARMS’, a software system developed locally designed to combat the problem of transcripts and various unsolved academic glitches in the current system. I am a volunteer at my local church (Watoto Church) doing motion design projects ranging from promos to complex motion design projects.

Am also a freelance Motion Designer with ‘addmaya’ and ‘Elemental Edge’ (with whom I just finalized the Channel 44 Branding). Once in a while I drop at MGS Video, my Mzee’s yard and pull off some quick design projects like adverts, TV shows branding, and openers to concerts, weddings, conferences…

Our third artist profile has been in the video/visual effects scene for a very long time and is one of the most passionate video editors we've ever met. He's worked for Watoto, Elemental Edge, done lots of freelance and now he runs his own firm called ADDMAYA. His name is Peter Mukiibi.

We normally start our interviews with artist bios, but Peter decided to throw in a unique twist to the bio.

Peter's Bio.

Welcome Peter. Could you please tell us more about yourself?

First of all it’s such an honour to be invited on the Design Kingdom site.

Well my friends call me Pete. When I’m not working I love to play golf when I can afford to and relax by myself wherever the band Qwela is playing. I’m usually inspired by all kinds of things but mostly colours. As you will notice in most of my videos (sorry I only managed to post screen shots) I love to tweak the colours for a much nicer look or to set the mood. I actually repaint everything I look at.

When I walk into a place and see a crowd of people I don’t know, I will start by throwing out all the colour to a plain black and white image in my mind, then start dialling in the colours I want where I want them. So I will paint Benge red, Tiffany will remain in Black and white, blue for Robert and the colours will dictate how things occur from there onwards. Doesn’t sound like it makes sense but lets just say try looking at the sky every morning. See how the different colour mix and blend and notice whether it affects the way you feel or how you view life in all other aspects.

Design Kingdom is proud to bring you our second artist profile, this time, she's a very talented artist, designer, radio presenter and dancer. Her name is Nancy Kacungira.

(All images are copyright Kacungira unless otherwise stated)

As usual, we'll start with a brief bio on Nancy.

Nancy Kacungira is a Tanzanian-born Ugandan who grew up in Tanzania but went to school in Uganda. During her senior six vacation, Nancy got a job at a magazine in Dar-es-salaam where she taught herself how to use the Adobe packages and wound up doing the designing for the magazine; she has loved design ever since.

Nancy pursued her bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Fine Art at Makerere University, during which time she also worked part-time as a graphic designer, and as a radio presenter. After graduating with a first class degree in 2006, Nancy took on a full-time radio job as Deputy Programme Director and morning show presenter; at the same time freelancing as a graphic designer.

Nancy is currently finalising her Masters degree in Communication Studies at the University of Leeds, UK. In her spare time she loves to fire up her favourite application (Photoshop) and explore different ways to turn her ideas into pixels; her special interests are image retouching and manipulation. Her creative endeavours outside of graphic design include contemporary dance, watercolour painting, portraiture and photography.

Design Kingdom is proud to bring you our very first artist profile. The artist's name is Teddy, more commonly known as TMS Ruge.

Here's a brief bio on Teddy:

TMS Ruge (Teddy) is the co-founder of Project Diaspora – an organization aimed at connecting the African Diaspora to socially-relevant development projects in Africa. Teddy is also a social entrepreneur currently assisting several indigenous farmers organizations in Uganda move from subsistence farming to large-scale commercial farming of aloe vera and moringa. Also, Teddy serves as an Organizational Development Consultant for socially-responsible enterprises with double-bottom lines looking to invest in East Africa. Teddy is a mobile technology enthusiast and blogs frequently about the African ICT sectors and its effects on development.

Teddy received a Communication Design degree from the University of North Texas and when he isn’t trying to save Africa, works as a professional photographer, web and graphic designer. His clients include the Dallas Cowboys, Haynes & Boone law firm, and MW Logistics, Agape Boarding School, & BNSF.

He is also the official photographer for the Entrepreneurs Foundation of North Texas, and the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. In his previous life, Teddy was a Uganda national record-holder in the decathlon and pole vault and, formerly, the high jump. He was also a one-time Ugandan Olympic hopeful in the decathlon. Teddy was born in Masindi, Uganda to a Sudanese father and a Ugandan mother. He grew up in Uganda, Kenya and Dallas, TX. [ Full bio.]