Shahid Abbas is a British/Pakistani Artist and Designer, based in the UK. His practice spans across Product / Graphic Design, sculpture, and 3D Visualisation. His current work explores the use of algorithms to generate and fabricate three-dimensional forms. Shahid’s research is informed by the capability of generative design methods creating complex forms, parametric abstractions, the variable, and the unexpected.
Shahid’s work combines the traditions of Islamic geometric patterns with the aesthetics of digital imagery and algorithms. Parametric art is important because it is opening new avenues for design investigation, where the decisions made by computer algorithm are as important as the designer’s aesthetic value judgements. This visual narrative or metamorphoses, with its mystical undertones creates a bridge between the past, present and future.
Education
2019
MA Product Design – University for the Creative Arts UK,
Major Project Title: Quasicrystalline: 3D form-finding based on Islamic geometric patterns by utilising generative design methods.
2005
Post Graduate Diploma in Animation & Film – National College of the Arts, Lahore
2003
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)– Painting- University of Peshawar, Peshawar.
Thesis Title: “Anxiety through visual language”
2001
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)– Painting & Sculpture- University of Peshawar, Peshawar.
2000
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) – Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar
Work History
Senior Designer
David Redman London, Brighton, UK (May 2013 – to date)
Product design from first sketch to production follow up, Concept designer, CAD modeller. Working from front-end insight and research, through ideas generation and development. Experience in designing custom products for a range of applications. My work varies from project to project and range from bespoke individual pieces to designing units for mass production.
Senior 3D Artist (Freelance Artist)
Dog Day Games LTD, Cambridge, UK (April 2015 – To Date)
High / Low poly modelling and texturing characters, environment buildings, landscapes, and props. UI design, development, and processing through storyboard, mock-ups, wire-frames, design documentation, and final graphic element construction for mobile and web platforms. Branding and Identity design of Dogdaygames and Products.
Art Director (Graphic / Event Design)
NOMADA L.L.C, Dubai, UAE (July 2006 – May 2013)
NOMADA is a full time Event management and design consultancy firm. We at NOMADA are working as a production house for our events. We also do corporate Videos, Branding, event concepts and such. It has got a multidisciplinary and versatile creative environment.
Lecturer (Drawing, Painting & History of Western Art)
Department of Fine Arts, University of Peshawar (Sep 2003- May 2006)
Served as a teacher for MFA and BFA classes on a Two-year contract. Prepared Drawing, Painting and History assignments. Work with curriculum development team for effective teaching strategies in Art education. I also taught computer graphics applications, such as 3D studio Max, PhotoShop and CorelDraw to graphic design students.