In a conversation, Shihab Nurun Nabi, one of the top art directors in the country elaborates on his journey.
Photograph: Shihab Mohammad
We are curious about the path that led you to become an art director.
My affinity towards art has been persistent since childhood which manifested through my love for drawing at the time. It would mould my academic journey and ultimately be the cornerstone of my professional life. I was a student in the painting department of Shishu Academy in 1995 and continued on that educational path to the fine arts department of the University of Development Alternative (UODA). In retrospect, it was during my undergrad life that I started delving into the media industry. Besides being involved in various extracurricular activities, I used to design interiors from that time.
It was a great opportunity for me when the associate director of Gao Productions, Mamunur Rahman, approached me to work in an advertisement as an art director.
I have never looked back since then and continued on that path to direct my first commercial in 2009, and the first movie in 2016 was Nona Pani, which is based on the lives of fishermen in Khulna. In the last 15 years, I have been involved with more than five hundred commercials, seven movies, and more than ten fiction. At the same time, I have had the opportunity to work on several anthologies.
Over the years, you have been commended for your versatility across movies, fiction and TVCs. What have been some of the projects you are especially proud of?
I am incredibly proud that Nonajoler Kabbo (The Salt in Our Waters) is part of my portfolio. The film was Directed by Rezwan Sumit and I have worked as the art director in the same. I feel blessed that I have been selected & awarded for the National Film Award for its art direction.
Similarly, Amitabh Reza directed ‘Rickshaw Girl’, Piplu R Khan directed Joya R Sharmin and Mostofa Sarwar Farooki directed ‘Shonibarer Bikel’ are the films I am eagerly looking forward to their respective releases.
Shihab Nurun Nabi is currently one of Bangladesh’s top art directors known for his versatility across movies, fiction, and TV commercials. He discovered his love for art at a young age and went on to pursue a degree in fine arts. Shihab has been working in the media industry for over 15 years, directing more than 500 commercials, seven movies, and 10 fictions. He won the National Film Award for the art direction of Nonajoler Kabbo (The Salt in Our Waters). In his profession, Shihab finds the balance between creative vision and commercial constraints to be a challenge, but the reward lies in the new experiences he gains with each project. Shihab has recently finished the art direction of Coke Studio Bangla Season 2 and is currently working on several TV commercials, among other projects.
How do you find the balance between creative vision and commercial constraints? What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession?
Keeping a balance between creative vision and commercial interests is challenging in my field. As an art director, creating a visually striking scenic design for a commercial can be significantly hindered by the constraints imposed by branding considerations. As dictated by branding guidelines, the inclusion of specific colours, logos, and design elements can limit the scope of creative possibilities available to me. It can prove to be a significant obstacle in my endeavour to craft an immersive and impactful visual experience for the audience. However, working on films and fiction allows greater freedom to materialise an art director’s creative vision.
Undoubtedly, the most rewarding aspect of the profession is the thrill of new experiences. Since we work on a project basis, art directors do not have to deal with repetitive work. Whether it’s a TV commercial, fiction or a movie, we will be involved with a project for a certain period, allowing us to explore a specific genre. Art directors have the privilege of amassing new experiences and exploring the boundaries of creativity with every project.
Could you give insights about some of your current projects we should look forward to?
I have recently completed the art direction of ‘Coke Studio Bangla Season 2’; the experience has added a new dimension to my career. I hope the audience will get to experience something new from the show’s second season. At the same time, the much-awaited sequel of the popular web series Mahanagar, Mahanagar 2, is set to be released soon. Along with these, I have finished working on several TVCs, and a few more are works in progress; therefore, my hands are full in the quest of gathering new experiences.