Meet Anjum Mariam | Illustrator and Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anjum Mariam and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anjum, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
I live in a cocoon of creativity. Wrapped in a world of colour, art, books, poetry, flowers, beneath trees, in wilderness, life in the city, travel, lost in daydreams and imagination- my everyday is filled with things that make me happy. As an artist/illustrator and designer, I focus on the happier side of life. And through my work, I aim to bring a spark and happiness into the mundane and the everyday moments that are often overlooked.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an illustrator, designer and writer. I work on bringing thoughtful narratives and concepts into my work in brand design, packaging design, book design, textiles and any other form or medium of design. Conceptually, my work goes deep into the idea, history, culture and story of what I am designing. And visually, my work centres on bringing out the concepts through colour and illustrations. Poetry or thoughtful words add a layer of depth and flair. My work is a dance between day and daydreams- bringing in art and a sense of dreaminess into the seemingly mundane of the everyday. I have had the most wonderful opportunities designing for a range of projects from coffee and cafes, luxury resorts, hospitals, wellness products, sustainable development projects and many more!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I just moved from Savannah to New York. I love both cities. In Savannah, I would recommend just walking and exploring the historic charm. Architecture enveloped in Oak trees, Spanish Moss and sunshine make a picture perfect Savannah. I would start at Forsyth Park at the heart of Savannah’s historic district and walk through all the squares and pretty streets. Art’s, a SCAD cafe, beside Madison Square is my favourite stop for coffee in the morning. Followed by the bookstore across the street and Shopscad, a gift store for some beautiful little products. A trolley tour of Savannah is a wonderful and charming way to understand the city in just a day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It definitely takes a village! And growing up in environments of creativity, nurtured the artist in me. Home with my mother and sister was filled with books, art, literature, conversations, stories, movies, history, culture, nature and more. The learning environments in the Montessori schools I went to, brought out the artist in me. And most recently, SCAD- Savannah College of Art and Design. After 8 years in the industry, I went back to school for my masters degree and it was the most wonderful, enriching experience of learning and growing. And I am very grateful for my time at SCAD.

Website: https://www.designbyanjum.com

Instagram: @oleander.crow

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjum-mariam/

Image Credits
Anjum Mariam