Easter Design Competition Entries

mayamada April 6, 2015 No Comments

Our Easter design competition came to a close last week and the entries are in. We’ve had some cool artwork from school students showing their creativity for the Easter season.

We have short listed some of best entries and will be giving a bar of chocolate to everyone to make it to the list. Congratulations! That’s a choice of Crunchy Noodle, Cherry Blossom or Green Tea chocolate to chomp down on this month.

This week we’ll also be revealing the winning entry and that person will have the chance to be turned into a character that will appear in a future mayamada comic.

Stay tuned…

Mahmuda Year 7

Gabija Year 9

Fadumo Year 7

Reanna Year 7

Musicians: What Does Creativity Mean To You?

mayamada December 8, 2014 No Comments

After the great response we got from illustrators about what creativity means to them, we’re continuing our series with a different group of creative people.

This time around we spoke with musicians to ask what creativity means to them and get an insight into their creative process:

Chromatone

chromatone on creativityWho are you and what do you do?

I’m trying to figure that out, often by writing music, playing guitar, singing or break dancing.

What does creativity mean to you?

It means fulfilling our human potential. Creativity is what sets us apart from other animals; it’s our greatest asset. Growth only ever flows from creativity

Describe your creative process.

There isn’t really a fixed process as such, as no day equals another. However, in terms of songwriting, most ideas do start as a hummed vocal melody on my phone recorder and are then developed into full songs on the guitar.

Arranging is usually done on Sibelius and recording, mixing and mastering follows in various studios.

When are you at your most creative?

Late at night or early morning hours. Not very convenient. Sometimes also after eating vindaloo curries, I swear they put LSD in that stuff.

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

Difficult question, but if I had to choose only one person, it would be Quincy Jones. As a songwriter, arranger and producer, he masterminded a very influential musical legacy, covering a very wide range of genres.

Twitter: @chromatone

Soundcloud: Chromatone

Youtube: Chromatone

MegaRan

MegaRan on CreativityWho are you and what do you do?

I am Raheem Jarbo, aka Mega Ran, a former teacher turned hip-hop artist and speaker.

What does creativity mean to you?

Creativity means the ability to create, but also the vision to see something amazing before it’s even formed.

Describe your creative process

My process, as weird as it sounds, is to let life take me in a new direction…

I like to try to sit in a quiet place and meditate, but I get so much more out of being out and doing fun or new things.

I have to keep a notepad on me though, because these ideas come so fast.

When are you at your most creative?

In the shower, or while I’m driving or riding a bus or train. Sometimes just being in a creative space, like the studio, will bring out songs and ideas that weren’t there.

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

My friends. I have some of the most awesome musicians, artists and game developers as friends, and I look up to them and draw so much inspiration from what they do. That just makes me want to work harder and do better every day.

Twitter: @megaran

Tumblr: randombeats.tumblr.com

Okiem

Okiem on CreativityWho are you and what do you do?

I’m Okiem, or Oak for short.

I’m a professional musician and composer. As well as playing the piano/keyboards for artists including Tinie Tempah, Leona Lewis, Delilah (and others), I also write and produce my own music.

What does creativity mean to you?

Creativity to me, is an opportunity. An opportunity to express who you really are. After spending years developing your craft and your technique, creativity is that place that allows it all to come together and create something that can then affect other people.

I like to approach it as a big experiment, which takes away any sort of pressure from the process, and when you get it right it’s a great feeling to sit back, listen and enjoy your creation, and share it.

Describe your creative process

It does vary from project to project and depending on who else I’m working with.

Currently I’m composing a solo piano album so I like to just sit at the piano, press record and start playing.

On occasion, an entire song comes out. Exactly as I’d like it. I may then go back and re-record it but for the creative part of the process, I try to just let it happen.

Other times I may record 6 or 7 minutes of music and then go back through the takes. From that, there may be a melody or a section that inspires a whole song.

When are you at your most creative?

I’m most creative as soon as I wake up (that includes after my daytime naps!)

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

My answer to this question probably changes from week to week but right now a Producer/Artist called ‘Sohn’ is blowing my mind!

He has created an amazing sound; really soulful vocals, live instruments fused with electro synths. Amazingly tight productions. Love it.

Twitter: @OakTV

Instagram: @OakTV

YouTube: WannaPlayPiano

Rich Stephenson

Rich Stephenson on CreativityWho are you and what do you do?

I am Rich. I’m a singer-songwriter, performer and composer for TV and film. In the past I’ve penned tracks for E4 Skins, supported The XX.

My new EP ‘I AM RICH’ has just been launched on iTunes and Spotify.

What does creativity mean to you?

Creativity is what drives me. From writing songs, to cooking food, to arranging the books on my shelves, I always aim to express in a way that is ‘me’. I don’t know what I’d do without it!

Describe your creative process

It’s a little chaotic! I very rarely write a song in one go. I’m constantly writing snippets of ideas (lyrical hooks, guitar riffs, choruses) and record/jot them down on whatever is to hand when inspiration strikes (on my phone, computer, notepad, back of envelopes, beer mats!).

It makes for a jumble of formats, but suddenly out of the disorder, these snippets start sitting together and become the songs that I release and play live.

It’s always a comfort to have an arsenal of ideas waiting in the wings. Some ideas can be dormant for months – or years! – before they make it into a song.

When are you at your most creative?

When I am at my most relaxed. I’ve tried giving myself an allotted time to sit and be creative, but it never works!

This does mean that inspiration can strike at the most inconvenient moments: there have been times when I’m at a gig or club and had to rush to the toilets or outdoor smoking area to record an idea on my phone. I’ve started to ignore the strange looks of those around me.

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

I’d struggle to name one! I admire artists who never give in and keep on expressing themselves in their own unique way, regardless of trends, styles and the ‘norm’. Tom Waits, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Ryan Adams are all up there.

The band Future Islands are really floating my boat right now too – the singer is so passionate and heartfelt on record and in performance.

Twitter: @stephensonrich

Facebook: stephensonrich

Tony Goff

Tony Goff on CreativityWho are you and what do you do?

I’m Tony Goff, front man of the trio act ‘Tony Goff’. I also play rhythm guitar in the band.

We write, upbeat catchy indie/pop tracks, with life lessons and adventures in the lyrics, revolving round my ‘Tony Goff’s life.

My new EP ‘Butterflies and Compromises’ has just been launched on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify.

What does creativity mean to you?

It’s a vast word, cause its used for a lot of things, I personally think its coming up with anything your proud of. Bad or good.

But then there’s inspirational creativity which is what moves and inspires people through the ages. That is not the norm.

Describe your creative process

I write from the heart, so what you hearing from the band is my pain and happiness, will for this EP anyway.

I will have to go through something quite emotional to write something I feel has any worth, but then again it does differ sometimes. I’ve written snakes and ladders in a pub in 20 minutes, now its our most played and viewed track.

When are you at your most creative?

Goes back to previous question in times of happiness or sadness. sometimes a few bevys can loosen me up to making it easier for me to divulge my feelings to paper.

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

Never thought of this until now, I don’t have a most creative person, as everyone is different and I admire that.

Twitter: @TonyGoff1

Soundcloud: Tonygoffmusic

YouTube: Tonygoffmusic

Illustrators: What Does Creativity Mean To You?

mayamada September 28, 2014 1 Comment

We believe in promoting and inspiring creativity through our fashion and original characters, but we also want to know what you think about creativity.

That’s why we’re talking to other creators about the subject and putting up the responses right here on our blog.

We contacted a great group of cartoonists and illustrators to ask what creativity means to them and get an insight into their creative process. Take a look at their responses…

 

KC Green

GunshowWho are you and what do you do?

My name is KC Green and I currently make and write comics by myself and with a friend. I do the comic Gunshow, write for the comic BACK, and am currently working on an adaptation of the original Pinocchio story.

What does creativity mean to you?

It means trying something you think is different and always being bored so you think of something new.

Describe your creative process

I make myself write in a text document and keep writing and then go back later and find anything funny in there or something that might spark a bigger idea and write on that. I also sometimes have a fully formed joke in my head so I just quickly write that down in the text document.

When are you at your most creative?

When I’m mad but not brooding. Like when you’re just laughing at how insanely awful something or someone is. It’s like on the brink of wanting to give up, of madness, so things just open up and you laugh and I like writing or tweeting when I’m in that mood. It can be kind of destructive too, but I can’t deny that it’s fun when it can be.

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

I don’t have one person who is most creative because all my friends and people I admire are creative and weird in certain ways that others or myself aren’t. I always see bits of things I think are amazing and hilarious in everyone I follow or read, even if they always don’t. Everyone is the most creative person in the world.

Twitter: @kcgreenn

Tumblr: midnitesurprise

 

Bill Barnes

Not Invented Here

Who are you and what do you do?

Artist and co-writer of Unshelved, writer of Not Invented Here.

What does creativity mean to you?

I simply am compelled to make things: software, jokes, comics strips, songs, Lego spaceships…I can never go long without creating. For me, at least, it’s a fundamental drive.

Describe your creative process.

I most often begin writing a comic strip by starting a conversation between characters. I very seldom know how it’s going to end. the funny bit just comes to me.

When are you at your most creative?

When I’m far ahead of all me scheduled obligations. I can make stuff when under deadline, but it’s hard for me to think big and expansively when I’m in survival mode.

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

I deeply admire many creators. Currently I’m renewing my love affair with giant-brained author Neal Stephenson. My teenage son recently became old enough to appreciate his books, and so I’m reading them (again). I am always astonished at how good science fiction can inform me about the world I live in.

Twitter: @billba

 

Chie Kutsuwada

Chie KutsuwadaWho are you and what do you do?

My name is Chie Kutsuwada and I am a professional manga artist/illustrator.

What does creativity mean to you?

My creativity helps me to digest the reality and also it boosts my communication/social skill.

Describe your creative process?

I don’t think I have a particular process. I make sure I can get a lot of interesting inputs and always let my imagination go wild, but never forget to make notes. I need a lot of thinking time but when I get something, I speed up in creation tremendously.

When are you at your most creative?

On a public transport or while taking a shower.

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

My farther. He’s a professional writer/columnist and he’s been writing nice little pieces regularly and continuously more than 40 years. That’s something.

Twitter: @chitanchitan

 

Inko

Go! Go! Metro!Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Japanese manga artist now living & working in UK. I produce manga strips and illustrations.

What does creativity mean to you?

Throwing questions to the world.

Describe your creative process?

Research & study of whatever a subject beforehand, then let imagination go free. Then cut out any unnecessary parts, finally execute carefully.

When are you at your most creative?

On a train, in a plane, and in a bath.

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

Rumiko Takahashi (creator of Inu Yahsa, Ranma) She’s always at a new project and her influence on Japanese comedy, horror, suspense, love romance, SiFi manga is incredible.

Facebook: facebook.com/InkoDokotei

 

Pinali

Samurai ChefWho are you and what do you do?

I go by the artist name Pinali and, as you may have guessed, I’m an artist. A comic book artist, more specifically, though I also do illustration, character design, and some graphic design. Demand for comics is a lot higher at the moment, though.

What does creativity mean to you?

Creativity means the ability to think of something that doesn’t already exist and have an inescapable drive to make it exist.

Describe your creative process?

Since my job involves taking scripts written by other people and translating them into comic form, I’m not actually the one coming up with the base ideas – something I’m pretty thankful for, because I’m terrible at coming up with ideas for plots, characters, dialogue etc by myself. I’m just not that type of creative.

Usually I read the script a bit like it’s the script for a movie or TV show; shots and camera angles will pop up in my head as I read, and I pick the ones that will work best for comic panels. During the actual drawing process, it’s a 50/50 split between technical skill, and intuition.

There’s a lot of intuition in my process, which makes it really difficult to describe: “I don’t know, it just feels right.” I guess that’s how I would describe it. I just do what feels right. If it feels off, I erase and start again until it feels right.

When are you at your most creative?

When there’s no pressure. I tend to be at my most creative when I’m just messing around; drawing goofy things to make my partner or friends laugh, most of the time.

That’s when I really just start drawing in order to share imagery from my mind; it’s another form of communication for me.

I could spend 5 minutes trying to describe it and know that what’s in people’s heads is still probably a bit different from what was in my own… or I could draw it in 2 minutes and know that they are seeing exactly what I wanted to communicate.

Sometimes I come up with absolutely ridiculous, hilarious concepts when I’m with other creative people. I wish I had more spare time to draw them!

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

I think there’s so many creative people in the world that it’s impossible to quantify – like, creativity isn’t a thing you can measure quantities of to compare individuals.

I think everyone is capable of being really creative in some way, it’s just that the area in which someone can be creative is different for each person. So it’s hard to compare.

I’ll just go with some people whose creativity astounds me because I’m not the same “type” of creative: Neil Gaiman, George R R Martin, Philip Pullman. Anyone who can create a world that’s rich and complete despite that world being fictional; that’s incredible to me.

I’ve tried to come up with fantasy worlds and I just draw blanks, so I have the utmost respect for anyone who can do it, and do it convincingly, seamlessly. I guess I’m just more of an artist than a world builder; which is fine! They’re just two different types of creative.

Twitter: @Pinalinet

Tumblr: pinalinet.tumblr.com

Tony Goff: Music & Creativity

mayamada September 14, 2014 No Comments

Earlier in the summer we met up with indie musician Tony Goff to ask him about his music and what creativity means to him.