Interview with Majid Almadi

November 29th, 2006

Personal Details:
Name: Majid Almadi
Year of Birth: 1978
Nationality: Saudi
Occupation: University Lecturer
Blog: http://madiart.blogspot.com/

Majid Almadi is a Saudi product-design hobbyist and a lecturer for Computer Aided Design, CAM and Human Factors for various engineering courses at the King Saud University. In the subjects taught by Majid, the creative aspect precedes the mathematical and scientific aspects of the subject as his students are required to learn to use their imagination to visualise before relying on tools and formulas. We interviewed Majid to learn more about his hobby of product design and how he manages to carry out this hobby along with his constant life career obligations.

A design for a new Nintendo DS submitted as an entry for the Nintendo DS redesign competition held at Joystiq in 2005.

O3D: Did you acquire any artistic training or graphic design related training or was it self-taught?
I had no formal training whatsoever. We started as a group of college students in 1996 who were interested in 3D. I illustrated as a kid and took the transition to 3D from there. I am not a great fan of the training courses provided around here [Saudi], as most of them are out to make some quick cash, the only reason to do a course here is to get a certificate. I believe that the best way to learn is by reading books.

O3D: What is your source of inspiration? Are there any certain artists that you look up to?
My source of inspiration is basically life, anything can be inspirational if you pause long enough to think about it. As for the second part of the question, I am inspired by the work of the designer than the designer himself. I am mostly inspired by designers that work in the media, not actual product designers, like Hayao Miyazaki and Tim Burton.

The Sabha is a traditional Islamic set of prayer beads. This one features a USB flash drive implemented at the tip of the sabha.

O3D: How do you find the time to do your creative work along social and professional obligations?
I make time! Whenever I get any free time, I either watch a movie, go out with friends or work on my art. The beauty of the creative process is that it is not restricted to time or place, I can get an idea waiting for my coffee at the drive-through and I could start developing the idea in my mind instantly. It is the execution part that takes time.

O3D: What programs do you usually work with?
The main programs I work with are 3D Studio Max and Photoshop. They make up around 75% of the work, the rest is old fashioned sketching.

O3D: Have you approached a manufacturer to commercially produce any of the products you designed?
I had previously tried, but it is very difficult to get someone listening as the major local companies here in Saudi are in the business of importing and not manufacturing, I would like to try again in the future, and I would not mind working with an international company, but that takes time.

The ogal is a piece of clothing used by males in the Arabian Peninsula to keep their head scarf in place. This one contains blue ice for cooling off on hot days and during public speaking sessions. The scarf itself shall disperse the coolness evenly.

O3D: Your interest in games is apparent through the majority of your works, have you attempted making actual games or making game-related works other than game product visualization?
I have done some concept work which I have sent to some companies. They were interested but they required relocation for hiring me, and I was not ready for that at the time. Character and vehicle design are personal favourites of mine. I would like to make a series of games that have an educational value in addition to their fun gameplay.

O3D: How do you perceive the current state of the creative Arab industry?
I do not think that the majority of the creative Arab artists in the area have access to the media as the industry is ruled by connections. We also suffer from the stigma associated with certain forms of creative arts such as animation and games, which are being associated with children and are constantly being looked down upon. Things are getting better though and some good works are coming out, an example of these would be Freej from the UAE.

A concept design for a Game Boy Omega with interchangeable modules for extra functionality. Click here for more details on this concept.

O3D: Do you have a final message to young Arabic designers? Do you recommend a certain course or degree to take?
My advice to the young designers is to keep at it, find like-minded people and form teams. Public interest could overcome the importance of connections if the work is good enough. As for degrees and courses, I do not recommend making this your main source of income since it will be very hard to gain a steady income. Find a degree that can get you a job as well as help you with art and creativity, most likely engineering or architecture.

O3D: Thanks so much on giving us this opportunity to have this interview with you.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity.