Shaza Hakim Interview
Apr 4, 02:12 PM by Marko
Interivew with Shaza Hakim at stampede-design.com
Marko: Hello Shaza !
Shaza: Hello, Marko!
Marko: For our reader’s could you tell something about yourself? (year old and other stuff)
Shaza: I’m a 23 years old graphic and web designer from Malaysia. I’m now living on the island of Langkawi, a paradise getaway in the Andaman Sea. Currently doing freelancing in web design and print works, part of my everyday’s work running my design studio from home. I’m an idealist at heart, I love colors and eveything beautiful. Married to the love of my life, Dov. He’s the PHP guy in the family. Keeps me rooted and makes sense of life.
Marko: How are you doing these days?
Shaza: It’s awefully hot and humid here on the island this time of the year, so spending much of my day time sleeping and whole night working – which is better for business cause most of my clients are from opposite side of the world. Workwise, keeping myself sharp and attentive to the latest trend in web design. I like to observe and finding patterns in seemingly non-related things.
Marko: When did you first encounter a keyboard or computer?
Shaza: When I was 10 years old. It was at the school’s computer lab, and the teacher was showing us how to properly insert a 5.25” floppy disk into the slot. Aaah… those innocent days…
Marko: What is your favorite art work /website!?
Shaza: Joshua Davis’ work in once-upon-a-forest. That’s a lasting impression. Can’t say I have a favourite website though, the list is endless and they won’t stop growing.
Marko: When you launched stampede-design.com are you happy with the result of the site?
Shaza: Very pleased. I started with the website about 4 months ago, because I feel like I need a backup plan in case the company I was working for would go flipside. I’ve always known that I’m better off being my own boss, and Stampede Design is a platform where I can realize all that.
When Stampede Design started getting attention from international design and CSS community, that’s when things take a turn for me. It has kept us busy with freelancing projects ever since! I have been very optimistic with the responses on the website and particularly my work. This whole gig is really exhilirating.
The site didn’t bring much projects from local companies here in Malaysia at first – for some reason I think the locals still depend on social networking and mainstream. We have a relatively small web community here, CSS/XHTML are yet to become buzzwords, and most companies are not aware how quality web design can effectively communicate message to a larger audience. We have talented designers here, the edge is there, but not many would take the plunge. My long-term goal is to collectively change this mindset.
Marko: What do you do in your spare time (We realize that spare time, in this context)
Shaza: Reading books, doting on my two cats, Demon and Furball effusively, talk about casual design issues with my husband, probably try out new recipes, visualize new ideas for next artwork.
Marko: Do you have a favorite drink? How much of it do you drink?
Shaza: Orange juice, every morning. Earl Grey tea, 2-3 times a day. For some reason, I gave up coffee early this year, although not altogether. We don’t have Starbucks here on Langkawi, but when I do get a Starbucks treat, will always go for Caramel Macchiato.
Marko: Would you care to give us a brief overview of what a typical day is like for Shaza Hakim ?
Shaza:
5-6 am Time for bed
12-1 noon Wake up, turn on computer and check email. It’s like a sun-greeting ritual :)
2 pm Processing client’s request. Once done, get on with cooking
6-9 pm TV / family time
9 pm Start real work, finally :)
Marko: I am always wondering how people such as yourself go about getting work? How do you do it?
Shaza: Words of mouth, indirect advertisement (getting featured in web community website/forums), most of the time by just being at the right place at the right time.
Marko: Who are some of your biggest influences?
Shaza: The many talented designers out there. The web truly is a large exhibition space of great designers at work.
Marko: Is your background in design? What was the progression into web development and design like?
Shaza: I graduated from Universiti Teknologi Petronas with a degree in Information Technology. During my studies, I was more interested in multimedia and field works, but the whole course was more oriented towards building corporate career. I thought that I would be fine working in some fancy office, wearing fancy dress, working my a** of to the top of career ladder. But then I started to design for extra bucks and I enjoyed every moment of it. It’s like a calling, and I haven’t looked back since.
My husband is an enthusiastic practitioner of the W3C standards, and he introduced me to compliant CSS and XHTML. I see both as a platform where I can practice my design and reaching out to a bigger crowd.
Marko: If you where not a designer/programmer what would you be?
Shaza: A pilot! Always wanted to fly one of those babies!
Marko: How do you like our site mcville.net?
Shaza: I particularly like the blue stripes on the left and right. Very original.
Marko: If you could change something on mcville what would it be?
Shaza: Perhaps a bold color to complement the current theme. Otherwise, looks fine to me.
Marko: What kind of music do you fancy?
Shaza: I don’t have a particular genre to pinpoint at. But Tracy Chapman really does it for me.
Marko: What’s your favorite food?
Shaza: T-bone steak. Guilty pleasure.
Marko: Where do you get out on Saturday’s?
Shaza: Shopping, dining out – the usual. We’re homely people, so not much of partying there. But when we do take time off and hit the road, it’s really fun.
some relaxing question to follow
Marko: Chinese or Thai (food)?
Shaza: Thai. Especially Tom Yam (hot and spicy soup) and Som Tam (Thai salad)
Marko: Coke or Pepsi?
Shaza: Pepsi.
Marko: HTML or CSS?
Shaza: CSS.
Marko: Do you watch television? If so, do you have a favorite show?
Shaza: I mostly enjoy sitcoms, sometimes reality TV.
Marko: What would we find in your favorites bookmarks-bar?
Shaza: Design awards websites, Stampede Design visitor stats, interesting books I wish I could have.
Marko: What inspires you? This doesn’t have to be design related.
Shaza: My father. He never for once loses faith in me.
Marko: Thank you for having this interview Shaza ,Cheers!
Shaza: Pleasure’s all mine!
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Hi Shaza & Dov- I’ve been browsing your sites and Team. Did you receive the pretty disjointed prelim proj proposal yesterday? I enjoyed your interview responses. Would love to see the award winning sites you’ve bookmarked. I am interested in pursuing the potentiality of working with you and your Team. I’ve emailed Wan and Renee from their blog sites. I’m sort of intuitive by nature (aren’t we all?) and so far my intuition leads me to learn as much about you and your work as possible. Personally, I don’t go in for testimonials, but prefer pulling on the thread, as I think of it. Kind regards, Mike