Interviewing: Gemie_Gem

What is your name?
Hafsah Ahmed

Examples of your work:

Why did you join wattpad?
I was searching for an app to read good literature when I stumbled upon wattpad on the playstore. I downloaded it right away!

How long have you been making graphics for?  Umm... I guess for about half an year.

How did you get into graphic designing?
I started writing the next day I joined wattpad and obviously I needed a cover for my book but I didn't know you can request covers from designers at that time. My first cover was text slapped on to an image downloaded from Google. Gradually, I started joining graphics contests and taking requests because I was always more onto the artistic side than writing and stuff.

An example of my earlier cover:

What type of graphics do you make, and which do you prefer?
Personally I prefer covers but I take requests for banners, headers and icons too.

What is your favourite part of graphic making? The endless possibilities, the thrill of turning a stock image into something much more eye pleasing and creative and of course the praise I get from my well wishers.

How long does it usually take you to make a graphic?
Depends on the requirements provided. If it's a simple/minimalist cover, than usually fifteen to thirty minutes but the more advanced and complex graphics can take upto four hours sometimes to get all the details right.

What program(s) do you use for making your graphics?
PicsArt for editing, Phonto for texts, a background eraser app to create pngs and Adobe Photoshop Express for filters.

Where do you get your inspiration from/who inspires you?
When I get a request or when I read the requirements, in case of contests, I picture the cover in my mind even before I start making it and then try to turn my imagination into reality. I not always succeed in getting my dream cover but still I am by biggest inspiration.

Do you have any tips for aspiring graphic designers?
Do not be afraid to take risks, the requester not always knows what will look better on their cover and what not but you do. Negotiate with them and make them realize what's right and what will look overly done.

Try to get your hands onto good resources. There are a lot of tutorial books available, add them to your library, they are your friends.

Learn from your mistakes.

Keep practicing.

Do not hesitate to ask. You are always welcome to PM me anytime for any sort of graphical help.