Muid Latif. Founder of Digital Malaya.

There are many design resource website in Malaysia and along with Sifoo.com, Digital Malaya is my favorite local website that I used to visit whenever I was looking for news and resources about local digital art.

Muid Latif, the founder of Digital Malaya is a talented multi discipline artist and an all round nice guy. Have a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Sculpture) from University Technology MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Muid is currently working as Creative Consultant at MDeC. He just finished working on a web portal, http://www.art4merdeka.com. Thanks to Muid for answering the questions.

Q. How are you doing? What have you been up to lately?
A. Thanks Syed. I’m been in a good shape and always busy with work. I had recently assisted the company that I work with, MDeC to provide a video launch the Malaysia Animation Creative Content Centre at the NITC Meeting last 20th of August. I had also recently involved myself with the Flickr™ Malaysia Photographers Group and we had a lot of photo shooting exercise, the recent one will be the 50th Merdeka Day Celebration.

Q. As a designer, do you limit yourself to a certain medium or you love to mix around with different elements?
A. I never limit myself to certain medium in producing my artwork or design. I would like to explore a lot of medium in order to see new technique and style in delivering my work.

Q. Do you have any specific style that people can clearly associate with Muid Latif?
A. Most people had known me for my artwork with ‘nusantara’ or oriental look-n-feel. I like to include the elements of traditional Malay iconic figure or South East Asian icons into my artworks or designs, such as ‘batik’ or curvy Malay wood-carving patterns.

Q. Who or what are your biggest influence(s)?
A. Almost everyone around me. I do have mentors like Joshua Davis, Drew Europheo and Onyro as my all-time favorite influence. Since I moved my interest more in illustrations, I like to explore works produced by Jaafar Taib (Gila-Gila Creator), Yazid Muhammad and Kromosom (Fy). I’m proudly to say the three of them are Malaysians.

Q. I’m a big fan of Digital Malaya but there seem to be little activity happening lately. Any reason?
A. We’re in the mid of compiling artworks and submissions for MekarMara Volume 2 and we are releasing MekarMara Printed Edition, Volume 1 by end of the year. I’m also collaborating on few projects for video experimental for future Digital Malaya exhibition. I believe the portal had not been updated due to my tight schedule and we have no man-power whom is willingly to do it on a charity basis ;)

Q. Do you think our designers are given enough room or help to improve or showcase their talent in this country? Do you think our designers are too dependent and did not have the courage to venture outside their comfort zone?
A. I believe when it comes to this matter, I see most likely to be related to Interest. It’s not actually the mindset that holds the scene or design community but most likely their interest are too skeptical of trying out new things. I would agree that they are in their comfort zone and I think it’s too much to waste if they would try to explore and fail at what they will try to attempt. For me, I just move forward. If we said that there’s no platform to give them chances to showcase their works, then it’s wrong because we have many outlet in this industry, including the positive move that government put in order to help the industry grow. We can look at what Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) is putting in their recent IP Creator Challenge Series and also our very own Galleriiizu on helping to establish local creative groups and individuals. The big problem lies on a person mindset, do they bother to know the exact thing is happening in this industry?

Q. Are design resource website and portal dead in Malaysia? Compare to last few years, there have been a steep decline in the number of such websites, why do you think the reason for this?
A. One of the factors is forums taking control over the online community. I found forums are a bad influence and unhealthy. Since ‘web version 2.0’ had taken control over young generation, the important of design are more likely a ‘redundant’ and these days, a lot of young designers concentrate on commercial design trends, therefore, not all have the passion to come up with a design portal, not like back in the early 2000. And those who did built those design portals before most likely are busy with works, had run their own company or settle down with family.

Q. I’ve noticed you also give talks at seminar and conferences. What were some of the notable events that you have the privilege to be a part of?
A. I like to be a part in each and every seminar and conferences as possible. I had experience different crowd and style in delivering my talk and most notable talks are for the recent British Council ‘Pecha Kucha’ Night, because not like any other talks, we are required to present 25 slides and each slide only limited to 2 seconds.

Q. What were the happiest, most important events in your career and personal life?
A. To be acknowledge my governments professional, even the minister itself is very pleasing. When I produce my work, when people like it, it’s an award for me. My CEO had recently given a good remark on my work and makes the rest of my day shines. Awards no longer make me feel good because what’s most important, people like your work and they acknowledge your talent. The most important events that I managed were the MOSTI event called ‘Scientific Excellence in Islamic Civilization’ in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre earlier this year. It’s good to see the Prime Minster checking out my works (which I collaborated with interactive agencies under my art direction).

Q. Have you done any exhibition or won any awards?
A. A lot. The last exhibition was for Galleriiizu, The Annex, Central Market and I’m planning to do a solo exhibition by end of this year, Insya’Allah.

Q. Among the jobs and projects that you have done, is there anything that really stand-out or interesting you want to share with us?
A. I believe my recent oriental art series was my favorite personal projects that I had produced. People really like it and it’s such a nice ‘award’ for me.

Q. Being a movie buff, I’m sure you keep track on the latest happening in the movie scene. What are some of your favourite all time movies?
A. Wow, it’s really hard because I like anime most of the time and I watch plenty of movies. I believe I would still stick with Austin Powers. Yea baby!

Q. What keep you busy, let say, when you can’t sleep or just have too much spare time to kill?
I read books and novels till I sleep. If inspiration came to me, I would do a lot of sketches, but I hardly have the time to scan it and work it on my computer, due to time constrain. I watch anime like Naruto back-to-back if I can’t really sleep. It’s the best entertainment ever.

Above: Pierre Andre, Muid Latif, Ally Iskandar & Dhojee

Q. This year is the 50th anniversary of our country independent. Being a post-independent childs, what significant improvement can you see throughout the last few years? In what field are we still lacking and need improvement?
A. I believe everyday we must set a goal and we need to accomplish it, not just when it comes to Merdeka. Sometimes, we have to make a fool of ourselves in order to see our weakness. From there, we can identify, fix it and improve it. I always want to keep myself down to earth whenever I can. I want to be a positive person.

Q. Do you have any parting words or advise to inspiring designers out there?
A. Improve yourself and be versatile in what you do. Always take advices from people with experiences, never underestimate them and respect for what they had acknowledge and achieve. Welcome them and you yourself, be humble and respect one another. Failing to do so, people will mistreat you the same way you did to them. “what goes around comes around”.

Website: http://moedlatif.com
Blog: http://muidlatif.blogspot.com
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/people/ml

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