What do you do for a living?
Hey! I’m a Graphic Designer by profession and have spent the last 20 years honing these skills down in the fantastic world of Editorial Design. Having spent time in-house at studios, freelancing, consulting and running my own paper goods boutique, I’ve now founded Friday Magazine, a print-first magazine for Muslim women, by Muslim women.
When you can’t find something you need, you make it yourself right?
What does that mean day-to-day?
Adding my three kids to this current startup phase means day to day is quite chaotic. Since WFH became the norm, it’s opened up way more opportunities for SAHM parents like me who still have a lot to achieve in their careers. I thrive off the flexibility this allows as I could be conducting a phone interview while sitting outside the school gates, or drafting my latest social media post while my boy trains at futsall (both of these happen on a weekly basis).
There’s a lot less design going on nowadays, but a lot more focus on building a media brand and the responsibilities that brings given the state of MSM nowadays. The intention behind Friday is that it’s made for and made by the women in our audience, so there’s a lot of research and meeting new people to grow the team. It’s a heavy time to be a POC, woman, and Muslim to top it all off. It’s a good thing I like a challenge!
What do you love about magazines?
The paper, the finishes, the smell of the ink… where do I start? You can’t take me shopping without me stopping at a newsstand. I love browsing and holding them in my hands. Each one feels like a BFF and expert rolled into one; someone to trust, someone who’s got something worthwhile to say, someone that will open your eyes to new things, and someone who’ll come back again in a few weeks or months with more new stuff to talk about. It’s like having a circle of friends that you have long, deep, sofa chats with. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes frivolous, but always honest and wholesome.
Tell us one thing not many people know about you?
I landed my first magazine gig with the help of the Yellow Pages – remember that old thing? During uni, I desperately wanted to intern at a big publishing house so I looked up every big glossy I could find in London and posted over sixty letters to Art Directors by snail mail (pre-internet days these were).
Fate was on my side and I secured a month at Cosmopolitan Magazine where I picked up so much from everyone and had multiple page layouts published across three different issues that year. What a way to start my graduate portfolio.
Where can we connect with you?
Online you can find me on LinkedIn or reach out to me on email.
In real life, I’m living in Manchester and don’t need much convincing for a good coffee date. Cake is optional.
You can also keep tabs on Friday on Instagram, on the website or better still, sign up for the newsletter.