~Lammtara you are an official Cartoon & Graphic designer and animator, tell us when it all first started?

Well, back in school, I used to draw all the time in my classes out of boredom.

I never imagined I would enter this field of studying.

~So what pushed you into entering this field?

When I finished school, I decided to major in architecture, because I thought I could draw houses and design them. Later I realized that it required two of my worst subjects: Math and Physics, which I really hated. So I decided to change majors to General Arts and Animation major, which I really love and enjoy.

~Ok personally, I never heard of a local with that as a major, are you considered one of the first.. or is it me, living under a rock?

LOL, frankly I do not know. There are many talented people from the UAE, but they never venture to take it as a major, because I guess the world would rather be on the safe side. I took the risk and entered the field, and I am proud of it.

~How did your family react to your decision of taking this as a major?

Well, at the beginning, my dad thought it wasn't good for me but later he noticed how good I am getting in it, and made me design a lot of logos  and posters for the place he works in. Now I am his right arm, lol.

~So your family supports you big time, mashallah.. Tell us, what programs do you use in your work?

Bryce, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere, Flash and some Dreamweaver. 

~Wow.. A handful of programs, how did you learn how to use them all?

I learned how to use all these programs by myself, except for Flash, which I learned how to use through the manual that came with it. For all programs, it is best for a person to explore himself and learn from his mistakes. I learned how to use these programs before I majored in Art, so when I took it later in university, it wasn't new for me.

~You first had the talent of sketching and drawing on paper, what inspired you to use the computer for your talents?

Well, with a computer you can bring your sketches to life and even refine them. A computer is only a tool that helps us deliver what we have on paper . 

~When did your first start using the internet?

Back in the States, in 1996.

~When did you first start displaying your talent online?

Well, I have a geocities account, where I scan and post my work into. I also display some of my work in Banoota's Chatbox. 

~You are planning to launch your own official website, when will that be?

That's a hard question, I already have the domains, and started working on the portfolio, but people are expecting a lot from me now. I have to come out with flying colors, interactive cartoons and stories. In addition to illustrations and Photoshop pieces.. and all this takes time, but inshallah soon.

~You are famous for your 3eyayz and Kahfee cartoons, what inspires you to come up with such characters?

Well, I've always dreamt of making my own cartoons, local characters, instead of the trash they show on TV. A cartoon that would be both useful and educational in a funny and interesting way. That is why I came up with el3eyayz and Moghamart el-freej. Kahfee is also a comedy, which my cousin Ahmad and I are working on, but we are still deciding which way to go with him.  

~You are also known as an interesting story-teller, can you share with us one of the stories you are working on?

There is this story I didn't finish yet, but it talks about an old man with a chicken farm. He is a vegetarian though, so you can say his chickens lived happy and safe. He has fat sons, though, who are not vegetarian but they are not allowed to touch the chicken. Then days go by, and the man falls sick and is facing his death. The chicken are worried because they face the danger of being eaten after the man's death. That is why they start the adventure of trying to let the old man add in his will that they should not be eaten after his death! That's about what I have done in the story.. Its still under progress.. 

~Hahahaha, that is so funny, and it sounds interesting. I am sure it will turn out as something impressing. Anyway, tell us, what is the best thing about being a cartoonist and graphic designer?

Well, the best thing about this field is that its always changing its colors. You never get bored, plus you always have to come up with new stuff so you don’t lose your edge. Working for months and months just to see a smile on the viewers face is worth all that hard work.

~So can anyone become a cartoonist/ designer? What do you think it takes to become one?

They don't necessarily need to know how to draw at first, because the drawing comes later in life. To put it down in a simple way, it requires an easy-going, flexible person with a handful of patience and a load of imagination. 

~Are you willing to help those who need tips on how to be a cartoonist/ designer?

Of course, I wouldn't mind! :)

~Any advice you would like to share?

No matter what you dream of.. you should always go ahead and start it.. and have faith in it, whether you will accomplish it or others after you.. but it will be achieved one day, inshallah..

~The future looks bright ahead of you inshallah, what are your plans for it?

I have big plans ahead, I want to start someday on my cartoon for TV and inshallah build the company I work in with my cousin, whom I see as my other creative half.

~Finally, any last thing you would like to say?

I would like to thank Banoota, for opening the amazing chatbox and all those who visit it for giving me inspirations and the force to achieve and create things for their viewing pleasure.

~Thank you Lammtara for sparing me some of your valuable time, its been a pleasure having you under the spot light ;)

I enjoyed it too, thank you, the pleasure is mine.

[Visitors Interact]

~Share your opinion.. add your comment here!

Lammtara's Mini Gallery of work

[More pictures]
horse	KZ-1	KZ-2	KZ-3
island	queen	star	bolger
[Flash Work]
island	il3iyayiz	spectra	tricklets
planes

"His work has an 'original' touch, something you wouldn't see anywhere else -- one could recognize lammtara's work in a crowd, simply because he has defined a style of his own. he's one of the most talented people I have come across, lammtara is truly an asset for the UAE."

                              -Banoota

"A man can never be judged on his ways only-and for Mohammed I certainly can see a bright future for him, He can never rest until things are set right to his perspective and this is the way a man should be."

                        -elshaibeh