theculturalconnect.com | Oussama Mubarak

Oussama Mubarak, New Media
Designer

New Media Designer Oussama Mubarak

Freelance work is among the most competitive types of employment. Networking and being on the cutting edge of your field are crucial to success in the freelance world as well as in the ever-expanding field of competition for all lines of work. Oussama Mubarak (Oz), a 24-year-old freelance New Media Designer/Developer is a tri-lingual artist whose talents cast a wide net in the cut throat world of freelance work. His interests are as vast as the world he has experienced: computer science, web design and photography all work together to keep Oussama ahead of the competition. Anyone looking to have a real effect on their field of study or work can look to a page from Oussama's biography for inspiration. Coming to the United States with a limited knowledge of the language, Oussama was able to excel in his studies, create a network of contacts, and rise to the top of his field through hard work and determination. It is clear that his competitive and passionate approach to freelance work is the textbook example of "How to Succeed" in the changing nature of employment competition. Read more about Oussama Mubarak as we feature him in this week's Young & Professional Profile.

Website

www.ozarts.com

Name

Oussama (OZ) Mubarak

Age

Hometown

Amman, Jordan

Current residence

Paris, France

Education

University of Arkansas, BS in Computer Science and Minor in Mathematics (2004)

Work Experience

Six Degrees Records, Webmaster & Database Administrator (2004-2006)
Freelance, Web designer & Developer (2001-Present)

Ethnicity

Franco-Palestinian

What's your story?

I was born and raised in Amman, Jordan from a Palestinian father and French mother. I moved to the US at the age of 17 to study at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I developed a great interest in graphic design (especially for the web) and photography while acquiring my degree in Computer Science.

By the time I graduated in 2004, I was designing and developing websites for various clients – mainly private individuals. In September 2004, I moved to San Francisco to work as Web Developer and Database Administrator for Six Degrees Records until May 2006, when I decided to go to France to join an art school.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

Meeting with clients to discuss the needs of a particular project, interpreting the project’s requirements, preparing mock-ups and/or design options, budget and time management, concept development, troubleshooting/debugging, keeping abreast of new design and development software/techniques.

Most notable milestones

I would say my most noticeable milestone so far was studying at the University of Arkansas, since I left Jordan with nothing but a scholarship and a weak knowledge of the English language.

Living far away from home proved to be difficult at first, but it didn’t take me long to overcome my homesickness. By the time I graduated I had made a large number of friends from different cultures (mainly Eastern Europeans), was fully independent, and had visited over 14 different states.

I believe working for Six Degrees Records in San Francisco, California was also a very notable milestone. I started there as an intern working for the Creative Services and Finance departments. I became a member of the staff in no time by proving that I had the knowledge and great enthusiasm to work on web projects and databases, which changed the way other staff member accessed and organized data by making almost every piece of information available through an online interface.

The CEO of Six Degrees Records, Pat Berry, once told me I had brought the company to the 21st century.

What's your niche?

Although my studies were focused on Computer Science and Mathematics, I gained a great deal of self-experience in design by using software such as Photoshop and Illustrator over the years. I believe that this combined knowledge of programming and design gives me an edge compared to most developers or designers.

What's in store for the future?

Studying design and photography.

Unexpected learnings along the way

As a freelancer, networking is one of the most useful tools one can have.

Who would you like to be contacted by?

Design studios, marketing agencies, artists, art directors, other graphic designers, anyone with an interesting web or design project in need of professional assistance.

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Best way to stay ahead

Keep up with all new developments in your industry. As a graphic designer, I have to stay in touch with major changes in design software as well as programming technologies.

Guiding principle in life

I believe in Karma: taking good care of the people in need as well as our natural resources.

Yardstick of success

Loving what you do.

Goal yet to be achieved

Open my own design studio.

Best practical advice

Sometimes the best thing you can do is let life guide you; put your trust in it and you’ll find yourself discovering new and exciting things along the way.

Most memorable business experience

All of my past business experiences have been very important in shaping who I am today, but my most memorable experience must be my latest web project for the Iranian vocalist Azam Ali, which is still under development. I have worked with Azam before on the site of her band Niyaz (http://niyazmusic.com), and truly enjoyed it.

The design and development of her site (http://azamalimusic.com) is a very exciting challenge.

Mentors

Since most of what I’ve learned in the design field was self-taught, I don’t quite have a mentor. Nonetheless, Michael Snyder (http://eidetaker.com), Art Director of Six Degrees Records, has been of great help and inspiration to me.

What motivates you for success?

I love almost every aspect of what I do, so motivation is rarely lacking.

Like best about what you do?

Layout/interface design is probably my favorite part of most of my web projects, as it demands a great deal of creativity.

Like least about what you do?

Budget management.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to become a veterinarian as I’ve always loved animals, but I discovered I had a blood phobia and lost that dream a long time ago.

What was your first job?

Dispatcher and rover at University Housing of the University of Arkansas. This job allowed me to earn money for room and board while studying, and thus was a crucial one during my four years of studies.

Biggest pastimes outside of work

Travel and photography. I’ve always loved exploring new places and cultures.

I believe this passion started when I was a kid and my family made a trip from Jordan to France by car!

Person most interested in meeting and why?

Swedish designer Robert Lindstrom (http://designchapel.com) as I am a huge fan of his work.

Leader in business most interested in meeting and why?

Joshua Davis (http://joshuadavis.com); he is a pioneer in the web design industry and an amazing multimedia artist.

Three interesting facts about yourself

1. I am tri-lingual. 2. I speak fluent English, Arabic, and French. 3. My nickname ‘OZ’ was given to me by a Filipino I met in Paris who couldn’t pronounce my name.

Three characteristics that describe you

1. Curious 2. Perfectionist 3. Minimalist

Three greatest passions

1. Graphic Design 2. Photography 3. Travel

Favorite book

That’s a tough question simply because the kinds of books I usually read are technical or self-teaching books, but the latest book I read and truly enjoyed was Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel by Rolf Potts.

Favorite cause

Art.

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New Media Designer Oussama Mubarak

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