Our Academy graduates are on the rise in the industry.
Meet: Asreen Zangana discusses their love for film, a book that changed their life, and non-traditional career paths.
Tell us about you.
My name is Asreen and I currently live in Brooklyn, New York. I’m working as a visual artist and tattooer.
What are you currently working on?
I’m working on a short film that involves live-action stop motion and I'm also in an animation course. I make mini projects for the course where I incorporate creepy voices and close up shots of my face. It’s very, very fun!
What are the (design or general) topics you’re most passionate about?
I’m most passionate about cinema because of the powerful effect it can have on your mindset. After I watch an impactful film, it stays with me for days after. That’s what I love about it, it’s thought provoking.
Tell us about a collaborative project you worked on.
I loved collaborating with SKSKSKS on the visual identity for their December show. My work is very different from their usual visuals, so it was really cool to see a blend of both our styles come to life.
How was your first year after school?
I never went to school but I’m constantly learning. It’s important to broaden my skill set. I think taking classes here and there, attending workshops or watching YouTube tutorials can be just as valid as a formal education.
What's the best advice you've received (and from whom)?
There’s more than one way to do something is the best advice I’ve gotten.
“There is no one way to design”, “there is no one way to learn”, “there is no one way to work”, etc.
I’ve been working under John Sampson and he says it all the time in a bunch of different ways. It’s important to hear as someone who has an alternative (and sometimes chaotic) career trajectory!
What’s your favorite project? (Professional/personal)
Right now I’m working on my first ever short film called Sap. I couldn’t be more excited because I get to work with a team of people to create something that’s really special to me. It’s also filled with gore which I love. Shooting starts in June and will be released on my Vimeo (vimeo.com/asreen)
What do you look for in your first job?
A balance of stuff - artistic freedom, a livable wage and personal/professional growth.
With which projects did you fill your portfolio? What was your selection process?
They obviously had to be visually pleasing! Outside of that, it was really a balance of my interests - graphic design, illustration and web design. I included nice looks that make my brain happy!
What do you find most useful in your projects? (Research, visuals, software, etc.)
It depends on the project phase. At the beginning it’s research and sketches, the middle is where visual design and software matter most, then creating assets for posting and printing is where the details really matter.
Book recommendation: What book had the biggest impact on you, and why?
What I Talk About When I Talk about Running by Haruki Murakami. This book has changed my way of thinking and existing. It teaches you to do what you want to do, even if that means starting small and working your way up. I started running after reading this book and the mental clarity running gives me is incredible. I was never a runner and I never thought I could be. The power and impact of this book has changed my brain forever.
What was your key takeaway from participating at the Wix Playground Academy program?
I think it taught me to take my work seriously. It was one of the first times I received genuine feedback and felt like there was a real space for my style and artistic voice.
Which area of design would you like to focus on in the future?
That’s an interesting question. At the moment I feel like I’m actively trying to be unfocused so I can learn as many different things as possible. In the future I think I’d love to end up working in film and cinema. If anyone from A24 is reading this, hit me up!
