This month’s AIGA Maine Member Spotlight features Events Board Member, Zenab Bastawala. We talked to her about work, her life in Maine, and her experience with AIGA.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
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I am Zenab, and my pockets are filled with type. I take a multi-script and multi-lingual approach to teaching typography and design as an Assistant Professor at Maine College of Art & Design. I hold an MA in Typeface Design from the University of Reading, the United Kingdom, and a Bachelor’s in Visual Communication Design from Swinburne University, Australia.

I am a typographer, type designer, and an enthusiastic letterpress printer, often conducting typesetting studios and workshops. It focuses on typography theory, book typography, and printed text and elaborates on printing techniques from hot metal to cold type.

As a sign collector, I curate Sign Walks, an online platform that critically examines urban signage within the particular context, history, and implications within the temporal shifts of different cityscapes.

Why do you choose to live in Maine?
My sense of adventure has brought me to Maine. Portland is fresh and serene and I love the calmness.

Why is serving on the AIGA Maine Board meaningful to you?

Being part of AIGA opens up networking and opportunities among designers and creatives, including open discussions and meet-ups.

Three words that inspire/motivate you as a designer:
Grateful, Happy, and Hustle.

Recommended readings, podcasts, etc?
The documentary Bill Cunningham: New York.

What aspects, trends, or inspirations in design are you currently inspired by? Chromatic. See more here.

What are a few of your favorite spots in Maine?
– Food: Sammy’s Scoop, Tipo Restaurant, Two Fat Cats
– Places: East End Cemetery

AIGA Maine Member Spotlight is a regular series highlighting one of our members. If you would like to make a suggestion for an upcoming spotlight, please email us at communications@maine.aiga.org.