Meet designer, art director, and letterer from Dubai, Angela Bardakjian.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m Angela! a designer, art director and lover of letters. I have been working and freelancing for almost 9 years now. And I describe myself as a risk-taker and a nomad who loves to travel to meet creatives from around the world and to learn from different cultures and art.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I am an Armenian artist. But never had the opportunity to live There. I have been living and moving around since I was a kid. And this helped me a lot to find my own voice and to feel special in this world. Living in multiple places helped me to get inspired by people and life, learn more than 3 languages to connect with people.

I have recently taken the decision to moved to Dubai. And one of the main reasons that helped me to move here was the opportunities that I’ve got and the energy of creating something new. It is a city that keeps on moving and innovating day after day.

I describe myself as a risk-taker and a nomad who loves to travel to meet creatives from around the world and to learn from different cultures and art.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

It is really challenging to stand out as a female artist in the Middle East. And that’s the beauty of it. We need to overcome a lot of opticals and it is part of the journey. Some women unintentionally set a limit to themselves and luckily this has changed a lot for the past few years. somehow these opticals and challenges become a necessity to overcome and prove yourself as a woman to the community and to grow in it as a professional.

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Passionate, diverse and challenging.

This is my motto in life “fight for what you believe in and make your dreams reality”

How did you start your career in art?

The desire for freedom and creative expression. Growing up I have always wanted to put my imaginary world and dreams on paper. and share it with the people around me. My mum used to draw these beautiful paintings and it always inspired me. And as a kid, I knew that I wanted to be an artist and work in the creative field when I grow up. I have discovered lettering a few years ago. It is freeing and experimental. It is a really good way to share your thoughts with the world with an artistic approach. It helps me to connect with people and share my messages with them.

I have discovered lettering a few years ago. It is freeing and experimental.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Yes, my family always knew that I wanted to be an artist. they have been supportive from day one. they thought me how to push boundaries, to be different and to embrace it no matter what. I am really lucky to have their support. It is not that easy to stand out with your work and to follow it in a society that doesn’t support your ideas and respect the art that you are creating. Us as creative women we need to support each other. Any time there is a role model of a woman being successful in society we need to celebrate them and recognize how hard they must worked and struggled to get to where they are today.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

There are too many. As I’m a big fan of learning, teaching and sharing the pieces of information that I have learned throughout the years with the young creative community. A young community that has the same interest and passion for art as me. One of the projects that I would love to work on in the future is to combine my art with fashion. I want to create an exclusive capsule collection with fashion brands. I want to experiment with new industries, mediums to connect with people. This can be through fashion, music, art and more.

I want to experiment with new industries, mediums to connect with people. This can be through fashion, music, art and more.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

There are plenty of amazing artists that I would love to work and collaborate with. It is really hard to name just one of them. Us as designers we are creatives who are aiming to change the world and make it a beautiful and more colorful place. Brands that we create are much more than beautiful artworks and logos. We communicate through our feelings, its a statement and an expression. Collaborating with artists from different parts of the world and backgrounds would help us to make the world a better place, and yes “Design can change the world”

How would you describe the women around you?

“Passionate warriors”. I describe them as intriguing creatives, entrepreneurs who are passionate about excellence, human dignity, empathy, and creation.

Passionate warriors

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

Of course, and it really hard to name just one of them. As women, one of our superpowers is that we can understand people. What do they really want and need? Understand who they really are as people, create designs that really matter, a design that has a meaning and connects deeply with people.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

I haven’t experienced major issues of being a woman in the creative industry. But being a woman is not that easy. And we are currently living in a phase where women are more visible and empowered. On one hand, you have to follow the rules. On the other hand, you have to reinvent them. The secret to success is to have a good relationship with yourself and be true to yourself no matter what.

Never give up and bring your ideas to life.

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Be true to yourself, be unique.

Never give up and bring your ideas to life.

Photos courtesy of Angela Bardakjian.