Akshar, what were your influences and interests while you were growing up?
Well I loved sketching and painting when I was very young, creating Batman & Shaktimaan mashup-up comics. Choose a job you love, goes the old cliche, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life. So I have sort of embodied (or at least tried to embody) this truism. My work is confident, but I hope it also gives a feeling that it’s done for my own pleasure as much as it is in response to a client’s brief.
Talk to us about the origin of Minimal Bollywood and Tweetard? How did you decide on the name/s?
I came across minimalist poster designs by Ibraheem Youssef for Quentin Tarantino’s movies. No one in India had really explored this style of design for movie posters, so I thought I’d give it a shot and that’s how it all began. Minimal Bollywood Posters started as a fluke. I just created four-five posters and put them up on the internet but I had no idea that it’ll go underground viral and make my life what it is now. Tweetard happened because most intelligence on Twitter lasts for about a day at the most. And I’ve read the funniest and wittiest of all things over there, from political puns to really lame jokes. So the whole project was about hand picking those tweets and converting them into graphic form and have a whole gallery full of those. At the end of the day, Twitter is a sheltered workshop for evil geniuses.
What will be your dream life like?
My dream job is to have no job.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
For me, ‘night time is the right time’ to work. All day is spent running after ideas, but then all the good ideas chase you right before your head it about to hit the pillow. I get all my best ideas when I’m walking or sitting and doing nothing. So I justify sitting and doing nothing as a part of working as well. My creative process is a mix of inspiration, procrastination, binge eating, napping and random internet surfing.
You manage two facebook brand pages successfully. Any tips for using social media to promote a brand?
Most of my stuff blurs the line between playful jokes and insulting sarcasm. So I guess offending people, but not to the point that you cross the line. You just stay on the line, set up a camp and get comfortable.
Please share a picture of your work space or work tools.
If you are left with a blank cheque by a client to create your dream project, what would it be?
I don’t know yet. But I love travelling so I guess it would involve going to other countries. And inserting my card in the ATM machines over there and crying at how less my balance is after conversion.
How do you relax after work?
I get into bed, curl up with a good book and not read it but be on the laptop instead and work some more.
What gadget or piece of technology would you not live without and why?
Your music on a typical work afternoon.
Your message for Y & S readers. Something inspiring, a learning from your life or your favorite quote.
Everything in life will make you learn something or the other. Consume movies, comics, books and podcasts like there’s no tomorrow.
Favorite quote: “The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.” – Lily Tomlin
Where can your fans find you on the social networks.