Mariam = Fancy Pants
Mariam Farooq is an Art Director for Toyota at SaatchiNY. For more information on her, her work and her love of lmography, follow her on Twitter (@muthafarooq), check out her website or peruse her Flickr page.
WHAT DO YOU DO AT SAATCHI & SAATCHI?
Art Director on the Toyota account.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
Junior year of high school I had a mall job at Miller’s Outpost/Anchor Blue. I still fold t-shirts and jeans quite well. I guess I got something out of it.
WHAT LED YOU ON THE PATH YOU’RE ON TODAY?
I was an only child for 12 years and had to keep myself entertained. I would waste a ton of paper on random drawings and comic strips but my parents never held me back. In high school I realized I could make a career out of it with design/art direction.
WHAT ARE YOUR LOVEMARKS?
Apple.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE AD (ALL TIME OR CURRENTLY)?
Amp’d Mobile’s “Busted” makes me chuckle every time.
IF YOU NEVER HAD TO WORK AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO DO?
I would be a nomad. Pack a bag and live in different countries for a while and explore.
FAVORITE PLACE YOU’VE BEEN TO?
So far, Thailand. Ayutthaya and Chiang Rai were my favorite cities but hopefully more international travel soon to come.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?
Childhood photographs of my parents.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE YOUTUBE VIDEO?
The Avalanches ‘Frontier Psychiatrist’ never gets old. I bet it was super fun to shoot too:
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU MAKE REALLY WELL?
Pakistani food. My mom’s a great cook so hopefully one day I can master her recipes. But please someone help me with French macaroons, I’m failing miserably.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WARM-WEATHER NYC ACTIVITY?
Outdoor shows.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHTIME SPOT NEAR THE OFFICE?
Snack Taverna. Their chicken sandwich is delicious.
WHAT’S YOUR GO TO KARAOKE SONG? (COME ON, WE KNOW YOU HAVE ONE).
Hmmph, ‘Private Eyes’ by Hall & Oates. Don’t judge
WHAT’S THE BEST MEAL YOU’VE EVER HAD?
Not sure about the BEST but a recent great meal was at Extra Virgin on Perry and W. 4th. I highly recommend the pistachio crusted goat cheese salad and truffle mac and cheese tart. Yum.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CREATIVE PURSUIT?
I like to make random cards and animated gifs. I made this for friends for Valentine’s day:
WHAT BLOGS/MAGAZINES/BOOKS/PAPERS/WEBSITES CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
Luxirare, left as rain, swiss legacy, remember paper & cyriak.
WHAT’S THE LAST GREAT EVENT YOU WENT TO?
I saw Little Dragon a few months ago and they were even better live. Probably my favorite show so far this year.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Do what you love.
WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE STORY?
I moved to New York within 4 days. I set up 6 interviews and found a sublet and freelance all in a week. I don’t know how it worked out but it did. I feel very lucky.