Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Sameer Kulavoor


Art director: Gayatri Dixit ;Illustration design: Sameer Kulavoor


Mithaavin; Lürzer's Archive Special;Top 200 Illustrators

Well, what does one write about someone with cool in their name ?

The great thing is, not a lot has to be said. All one needs to do is take a look at Sameer Kulavoor's expansive portfolio to figure out why he is such a successful Illustrator,Graphic Designer & completely kick ass visual artist. In a country that's got Art growing out of it's ears, the contemporary illustration and design scene is only now flourishing . If MTV's excellent animated promo shorts are any indication of that burgeoning trend, then Kulavoor surely is placed comfortably at the top of his game.

MC:
What are your key inspirations for your work & what about them inspires you?

SK: Having grown up in a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai, I like to observe varied people, their styles, cultures, mannerisms, body language, foul language, anything and everything about them.My friend Gayatri Dixit has been a great influence to the way I work, think and feel. Besides people, traveling to or exploring a new place or city, listening to live music (Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Kailash Kher), surfing the internet- all of these inspire me in some way.

Alpenlibe:Art director: Santosh Padhi; Illustration & styling: Sameer Kulavoor

MC:Do you illustrate for leisure, if not what do you do for fun?

SK:
Yep, illustrating for leisure is fun (when I manage to find leisure time). I try and maintain a sketchbook whenever I’m traveling, be it local travel or outstation. Traveling itself is great fun too, besides music.

MC: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

SK: There are many ideas that have been breeding in my head, things that I want to do as part of personal work. Hopefully the future will only get better :)


MC:Are you a big pop culture buff?

SK: I wouldn’t call myself a big pop culture buff. Movies do interest me, especially animated films that are unique in terms of style, treatment or narrative. TV shows on discovery & Nat geo are favourites.


MC: Your one piece of advice to design aspirants?

SK: Follow your heart and everything else will follow!


17 comments:

  1. Wow this is spectacular stuff.

    Speaking of MTV ads, do you know where one might find/download them? There are a handful on youtube...but older ones like Channel V's Bheja Fry or MTV Liftman are hard to get.

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  2. I agree, he's a whiz.

    As for the liftman & things , I have no idea. I'd look around on youtube. Do let me know if you find any , I especially liked 'dot for short' . You can find some of the recent ones on Sameer Kulavoors website,the ones he made i.e.

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  3. Reminds me very, very much of Belleville Rendezvous!

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  4. Nikhil, thanks for visiting !

    HM: Wow, I've never heard of it, thanks for pointing me in the direction of something new. I've just gotten out of my studio ghibli obsession , this might be a nice replacement :)

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  5. I've been following his work for a while now. He's one of the hottest & most saught after illustrator in Bombay right now :)

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  6. one word - wow!

    i've watched some films of studio ghibli - 'just yesterday', 'whispers of the heart'and some more and i was just spellbound at the detailing and the purity of emotions.

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  7. Bhumika : It's good to see you come by again ! And don't get me started on Studio Ghibli , I've only gotten out of the phase because I've exhausted all their movies. My favourites are Spirited Away , Howl's Moving Castle and Grave of Fireflies. Whispers of the heart is so sweet , I love this strange quality that these films have, it kind of adds to my obsession with Japanese culture. Anyway, glad to hear of another Studio Ghibli fan ;)

    BTW, I need to add you to my blog roll !

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  8. Hey pavs :)
    I'm back! i love this style of illustration...awesome. Like the vibrancy and the slight graffiti like edge to them too. You should check out PERSEPOLIS an animated feature done by an Iranian girl and a French guy about her coming of age years in Iran and Europe. Very nice animation esp since its in B/W. Check it out! cheers!

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  9. VINDY! you were missed dude :P
    I'm aware of Persepolis actually, I think theres a book and a movie yeah? I've seen the B&W images in quite a few blogs/websites. I shall investigate it soon (when I've got time)BTW the Iranians have some brilliant cinema.

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  10. yep...cool is in his name...i like to read his interviews...i happen to look up to him n walk in his footsteps sumday....long live sameer.....! cheers !

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  11. Pretty sleek stuff in here....liked all the colourful soul work in here...

    keep up the good work... "masala chai"

    Altho i dont knw the gender of chai you belong to...
    anyhow! will keep an eye on this blog...

    cheers!

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  12. this is awesome! i love his understanding of forms and his observations. its all there visible in his beautiful peices. :)

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  13. simply amazing

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  14. sameer,

    good work man.
    tottaly diffrent.
    go ahead.

    all the best.
    minish sekhar, dubai.

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  15. I had seen his site a loooong time back and loved it. Its amazing how he has no fixed style and is still so amazing at everything he does!!

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