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Bahraini illustrator Nujood Al Mahmood, who has been spreading joy and messages of hope, positivity and more across the kingdom with her colourful cartoon characters in a popular Interior Ministry children’s magazine, will be launching her own book next year.
The 33-year-old Watani youth magazine’s directing assistant puts her love for animation and her vibrant imagination on an array of products such as multi-shaped Gergaoun carrier cases and even in book form for companies and private storytellers.
However, next year is going to be a major one for the digital designer.
“I am creating artwork for my own children’s book, which will be a pleasant surprise in 2024,” said Nujood, who has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree. She graduated from the New York Institute of Technology in Bahrain in graphic design.
“As an illustrator, I enjoy using digital images and colours to bring my vision to life and convey stories. Over the years, I have collaborated on books and activities, including colouring books with a few academics and private storytellers. So I’m excited about this. My illustration style is geared towards children’s literature, ranging from picture books for young children to young adult fiction.
“At the end of the day, seeing the smile on people’s faces when they come across my work fills my heart with joy.”
Nujood’s work has constantly drawn attention from an early age with friends asking for cartoon characters to be drawn on their birthdays and greeting cards.
“Since I first used pencils and watercolours, I have been inspired by Disney animations and the Cartoon Network to bring my characters to life,” she added.
“My mother also gave me books with cultural stories and illustrations that I admire. This attachment led me to create my own characters and give them background stories.
As for which is my favourite animation, it’s hard to choose! I love and treat everything I work with like my little ones.”
In 2014, she joined the Watani magazine, alongside several talented local artists sharing their works in the magazine too. For example, Bahraini illustrator Yaser Alhamad shared his colourful cartoons in the magazine celebrating the country’s 51st National Day, featuring legendary actor Mohamed Yaseen.
“I used to work as a freelance graphic designer, but I felt I could do more,” said Nujood. “When I was accepted by the Interior Ministry for Watani magazine, I felt motivated to develop myself and learn more about illustrating books and characters suitable for all ages, as well as storyboards for production.”
Watani is distributed monthly for free to schools and institutions to spread an array of cultural messages to children, celebrate the youth and educate them on a range of topics.
“The magazine features exciting adventure stories, educational articles, poems, Bahraini culture and games suitable for young readers,” she added. “It has taken me years to learn and I’m still learning daily. I love getting feedback because it motivates me to continue and encourage myself daily.”
When Nujood isn’t busy being a mum and illustrating an array of artworks, she is teaching digital art at the popular Artology Bahrain art studio in Saar once a week for youngsters aged eight to 13.
For details on her work and the magazine, follow @watanimoi and @angie_arts on Instagram.
