Aishath Naajila

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Aishath Naajila ("AN") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

AN : I am a self-taught artist where I began my journey at the age of 16. Through experimentation and continuous learning, I developed my skills independently and shaped my own creative approach.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

AN : I became a photographer/videographer out of curiosity and a desire to understand the world around me. Growing up on an island, I was deeply influenced by the stories, people, and everyday moments I witnessed. What motivates me is capturing those stories and exploring the beauty and meaning in the places I come from.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

AN : My journey as an artist began with curiosity at a young age and gradually became a natural path for me. It was a way to express, explore, and make sense of the world around me.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

AN : I love creative narrative-driven work and projects that go deeper into storytelling and explore people, culture, and place in a more cinematic and meaningful way. And I am interested in documenting my own journey as well.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

AN : Be curious. Love what you do. Stay open to change and be willing to see things differently. Seek out the stories that move you and spark your sense of wonder.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

AN : I think a good designer can create technically strong work, but a great designer goes beyond that. A great designer understands how to make people feel something and guides the audience into a deeper story or experience.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

AN : A good design becomes great when it has impact. when it makes people feel something, wonder, and start conversations. It’s not just about aesthetics, but about how it inspires and connects with people.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

AN : The value of good design is in how it shapes the way we experience the world. It influences how we feel, think, and connect with what’s around us. Everyone should invest in good design because it has the power to inspire, create meaning, and improve how people engage with everyday life.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

AN : If I had the time, I would focus on creating feature-length films that explore people, culture, and place in a cinematic and deeply human way.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

AN : My dream project is to create a full feature film, working alongside incredible directors and collaborators.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

AN : My secret recipe for success in design is curiosity and a strong hunger for learning new things.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

AN : Roger Deakins, Leonardo Dalessandri, Joey L, Erik Almas, Annie Leibovitz, Emmanuel "Chivo" Lubezki

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

AN : I really loved Leonardo Dalessandri’s Watchtower of Turkey because it felt like I was there, going through a journey. It moves through culture, people, and places in such a natural flow that it becomes more than just a film.It feels like an experience, like a feeling. The curiosity in how he observes the world really connects with how I approach my own work.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

AN : Facetime Film is part of a series I created during the COVID-19 lockdown, where I connected with people from all around the world, different nationalities and individuals I had never met in person. It was filmed while I was in the Maldives and the model was in France. Despite the language barrier and the limitations of working through a video call, I directed and captured images remotely, which were later turned into video clips. I compiled everything into an 8mm film–inspired story with narrated poetry. Technically, it was very challenging, as I had no control over exposure, aperture, or shutter speed during the shoot. But those limitations became part of the process, and I was able to bring the idea to life.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

AN : Experimenting, Making mistakes, adapting, and refining my eye over time.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

AN : If I hadn’t become a designer, I would be a musician. I’ve always been drawn to music since I was a child, creating it, exploring it, and using it as another way to understand and experience the world.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

AN : If I hadn’t become a designer, I would be a musician. I’ve been drawn to music since childhood, creating and exploring it as another way to understand the world. It's an auditory extension of visual storytelling.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

AN : The people around me have been my biggest support, friends who believed in my vision, along with myself. I’ve kept pushing forward even when others didn’t fully see it, trusting my direction and staying committed to it.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

AN : Great stories, observing my environment and my home island in the Maldives, and being inspired by powerful films and narratives have all shaped me. I’ve learned a lot by watching how stories are told and by staying open to the world around me.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

AN : Limited access to proper gear, not always having the right space to create, and financial constraints that made it harder to push my work further.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

AN : Designers/Artists should present their work as stories, not just visuals. It should feel clear, honest, and engaging, allowing the audience to connect with the work on a deeper and more meaningful level.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

AN : My next focus is on developing strong, long-form storytelling projects.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

AN : My ultimate goal as an artist is to reach a wider, global audience and create films and narratives that inspire real change and meaningful impact.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

AN : Work that is honest, thoughtful, emotionally engaging, and delivered with strong quality.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

AN : Design helps create a better society by shaping how people experience the world. It can communicate ideas clearly, build empathy, and bring attention to important stories.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

AN : I am currently travelling and telling stories as I go, exploring different countries and capturing experiences along the way. I’m also focused on creating videos with international brands, bringing a unique visual vision that connects storytelling with a global audience.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

AN : The most satisfying project for me was the pole and line fishing story. It allowed me to document something deeply connected to my country and its relationship with nature. Covering a traditional and sustainable way of fishing made the experience very meaningful, as it felt important to preserve and share a part of our culture through storytelling.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

AN : I also hope there is more space for diverse voices and personal narratives from different parts of the world.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

AN : It depends on the project. Sometimes it can come together very quickly, and other times it takes months for the story to fully develop and come to life.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

AN : When I start a new project, I begin by gathering as much information as possible.Rsearching the context, location, timeline, and understanding where and how the story is happening. I think about how I can use my tools to bring it to life in the best way. If it’s a collaborative project, I also focus on connecting with people and conducting interviews to shape a stronger and more authentic outcome.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

AN : My life motto as a designer is to always bring 100% to every story, stay curious, and create honest work that connects people to the world around them.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

AN : I believe that good design doesn’t follow trends, it creates them.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

AN : Technology is a tool that helps me capture, shape, and tell stories in a more powerful way. It also helps me stay consistent and work more efficiently, bringing ideas to life more effectively.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

AN : I use Adobe Suite and DaVinci Resolve for editing. For filming, I mainly work with Sony cameras, using prime lenses and the 24–70mm for versatility. I also use drones for aerials, along with video lights and small glass pieces to add depth and a more cinematic feel to my visuals.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

AN : Plays a key role in shaping the mood and depth of each scene. Together, they are a fundamental part of how I build and express a story visually.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

AN : I wish people would ask what moved me to create the work. The deeper story behind it, and what inspired it. For me, it’s less about the visuals alone and more about the emotions, experiences, and moments that shaped the story.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

AN : How it was made, how it was filmed or photographed, what the inspiration was, and what the intention behind it is.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

AN : I do believe in co-design. My ideal partner is someone who is aligned on the vision and focused on what’s best for the final outcome. Someone with great energy, open to ideas without limits, and genuinely excited to create together.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

AN : The people who have influenced me the most are those with true passion.P eople who are energetic, dedicated, and deeply love what they do. Whether in music, art, or any other craft, it’s their commitment and passion that inspire me the most.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

AN : Self-help books have had a strong influence on me. Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon, in particular, is a visual, short, and practical guide that shaped how I think about sharing and growing creatively.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

AN : I developed my skills through being self-taught, by experimenting, failing, and repeating the process. I learned from my mistakes, kept improving, and approached everything with a childlike curiosity, playing with light and tools to discover new ways of creating.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

AN : I would want to meet Roger Deakins, Joey L, and Annie Leibovitz. I’d love to understand how they think, how they see the world, and what their creative process looks like when they are creating.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

AN : I’m grateful for the recognition, but I don’t really focus on fame or awards. For me, it’s always been about the work and the stories I want to tell. I try to stay grounded and keep learning, because there’s still so much I want to explore and create.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

AN : My favorite colors are warm tones. My favorite place is the Maldives, especially underwater environments. I love Thai food, and I’m drawn to autumn, even though I also enjoy the simplicity of winter landscapes. My favorite brand is Apple.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

AN : My day feels great as an artist when I complete a project that truly works. When people around me are influenced by it and my clients feel they received more value than they expected. Exceeding expectations is what motivates me. I also stay inspired by great films and music, which constantly push me creatively.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

AN : As a child, I was always drawn to art. I started sketching and painting early on, and I was inspired by my mom’s patience and attention to intricate work. Looking back, those early interests naturally shaped the way I create today.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

AN : With AI and technology evolving, I think the future will be highly connected and creative, with humans and machines collaborating to tell stories in new ways, while still keeping human emotion at the core.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

AN : I am a self-taught artist with a deep passion for storytelling. My work is driven by curiosity, emotion, and the world around me, especially the people and places that inspire me. I’m constantly learning and evolving, with the goal of creating honest and meaningful stories that connect with others.