AMR KHALED IS AN ARTIST AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER WORKING IN ADVERTISING. WE TALKED WITH HIM ABOUT HIS UPBRINGING AND THE BEGINNING OF HIS CAREER. YOU CAN FOLLOW HIM ON INSTAGRAM.

THE CORE IDENTITY OF AN ARTIST IS SHAPED BY BOTH THEIR UPBRINGING AND THE PLACE THEY RESIDE IN. IS THIS TRUE FOR YOU AND YOUR WORKS SINCE YOU HAVE MOVED BETWEEN SAUDI ARABIA AND SUDAN?

I had a normal childhood. I studied in Saudi schools and befriended Saudi kids, too. My father was skilled in the arts of drawing and designing, and I could definitely say that I got both of these skills from him.

Even at the age of six, I found myself frequently drawing – and this interest led me to spend a lot of time on this form of art, up to the age of eighteen. After graduating high school, I started working as a designer. I was able to learn that by using several computer software, which turned design for me from being a hobby to a career.

I began my designing career in a company, and I now create 3D illustrations at a Saudi advertising firm.

COULD YOU TALK TO US MORE ABOUT 3D ART AND DESIGN?

The art of designing has a lot of forms, two of which are 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional design.

Regarding 3D design, you could usually find it in the field interior design. You could also occasionally find it in animation, as it plays an important and influential role in the creation of scenes.

 What steps does Amr take before starting to work on a new art piece (from inspiration to actual implementation)?

I start by discussing with my clients to clearly understand what they want me to create. After that, I begin searching up the topic of the piece to look for inspiration. And there are several websites that help me do this - such as YouTube. I connect whatever I found to the instructions of my client, so as to not deviate from the original concept, and then I start working while sipping my usual cup of coffee.

That’s when I am working with clients, since I am tied to a submission deadline. But if I’m working on a piece alone, for myself, I like to avoid restricting myself with time. I choose to immerse myself as much as possible in my work to the point where I cannot stop.

Black Statues (II)

DO YOU TRY TO HIGHLIGHT OR TO FOCUS ON ANYTHING PERSONAL IN YOUR ART PIECES?

No. I am primarily interested in business-like approaches when it comes to my art, much like many other designers and artists. That business approach is necessary because art is my professional career.

Head Opening

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE OF SHOWCASING YOUR WORKS WITH KARTT & CO?

It was very enriching and very beautiful, and they really did trust me as they provided me with the freedom to edit their page.

HOW DOES INCORPORATING MOTION SERVE YOUR WORKS, SUCH AS “BLACK STATUES”?

I don’t really have an answer, I aimed to visually and aesthetically please everyone that set their eyes on the piece.

Black Statues (III)

Translated and edited by: Mohannad Jabrah