Interviewe mat YOCA Pvt. Ltd.

I graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Architecture. Straight out of college I worked with Payette Associates in Boston, MA, on two Aga Khan University buildings that were built in the 2000s. I then established the Najmi Bilgrami Collective (Pvt) Ltd. with my father back in 2006, and now serving as its Director. Together with my husband Zayd Bilgrami and brother Ahsan Najmi, I founded, YOCA, or Young Collective Artists in 2009-a furniture and homeware design brand that uses the notion of synergy to incorporate nature into home couture. Both of these have their challenges but the ethos to design remains the same, which is excellence in design.

I knew at a young age that I enjoyed design and spending time with my father. Slowly, that world of art andarchitecture engulfed me. It was a natural progression, a place of familiarity, a sense of belonging. Therefore, aftercompleting my Bachelors and my apprenticeship, I took on the profession.

When I think of my father, I imagine him sketching, drawing, immersed in his craft. I joined him very early in my life on small trips to his office, and spent many hours on countless sites. I didn’t know at the time, but all that exposure was grooming me for what I was to become. My earliest memories of joining him for his artistic experiments was probably around the age of four, when I would sit and paint in his office while he was working. Once or twice, he would break to help me with a stroke or teach me something. It was a beautiful time in my childhood.

Future plans are to grow internationally, to win projects and to make a mark, where my design sensibilities have no boundaries or restrictions.

Hone your skills. Know the profession. Respect it. That’s number one. This is not just art, architecture is a public safety profession. Please don’t go on breaking walls without checking them first. Other than that, travel, read, explore, and make new friends. As you evolve, so will your aesthetic. I am not a believer in shortcuts. I believe in studying the profession, being an apprentice, and then entering the design world. As a nation, as a person, or as an entity, for Pakistanis to be noticed, we must put in the work.

Do not take shortcuts. Go to school, hone your skills and do apprenticeships.

My day starts off with the children. I’m not a morning person and I’m okay with that because I set everything in tone at night so that it’s ready for the morning. First thing I do is organize my day in terms of sorting my house and kids. Then I head off to work. I try to be there for picking up my children in the afternoon. We have lunch. I take out time to sort their homework and what needs to be done and then I get back to my design field.

Staying abreast in technology as technology improves design, the rest is arbitrary. I don't believe in design trends, I believe in timeless design.

Principles of design 1. Evoke an emotion, designers have a responsibility 2. Does it care about its environment and 3. Does it stand the test of quality.

No I don't think a design is absolutely complete. A designer keeps evolving and growing so when you look back, you feel like you could have done something more.

I am working on a development project by the sea, which will be very challenging as the scale is massive. It’s almost 1.9 million square feet and will have a complete impact on the coastal area.

I admire Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava for his forms and American architect Louis Kahn for his spatial planning. At the moment, I am also inspired by Japanese sensibilities of design. They have a very articulatesensitivity towards design and, more and more, I’m seeing myself evolving towards that. Another thing that inspires me is tectonics, I love repetitive design. I love grids, and when I see that in people’s work it just blowsmy mind.

Designed free hospitals for kids with Child Life Foundation. Other initiatives include working with Citizen's Archive of Pakistan and Sirat ul Jannah Orphanage among others.

Received a Bachelor’s degree in Art and Architecture from The Rhode Island School of Design.

Creativity comes naturally to us. Delving into different materials and designing is second in our nature and what compels us. We see everything from a design perspective.

Chose to become a designer.

We design home furnishings, lifestyle furniture and architecture. We are excited by different material explorations. The synergy between different materials, metals or wood is what excites us.

They should follow their instinct and believe in themselves.

The ability to realize that there is always a need to push the design further, without overhaul.

A great design evokes human emotions.

It's what makes you live better.

I would love to design for a movie star, as I wouldn't be limited by resources and could indulge in any material.

Maybe a Yacht.

Passion and labour of love and attention to detail. I give my design my all.

Keep educating, Keep traveling, and never stop learning.

I can only imagine being a designer.

Design is an expression of self, your ability to create something and connect with people visually. It evokes an emotion in people through what you create.

My parents.

Perseverance, diligence, understanding the art and being true to myself.

I had to hone my skill set, and I had to learn about the different materials and craftsmanship.

Fairs are a great opportunity for people to see your work.

Working on a collection that is taking primitive technology and craftsmanship and bringing it to a new era.

Working on a piece that involves tectonics of building.

Any project that exceeds our expectations gives us satisfaction.

From concept to final production up to 3 months.

I start with drawing up concepts.

I think both rely on each other.

Auto Cad, Sketch up, 3D Max, sketching by hand.

All materials are to be respected as each are treated differently and how each comes into play together is what is essential.

Appreciation.

Yes, my YOCA team is my ideal design partner. Co designing produces some of the most magnificent results.

My Peers, my teachers, my Father and people from all walks of life. Even my children I find influence me in my design.

Reading Sufi poetry has a great effect in my design.

It is truly humbling to be appreciated and be recognized for all the work we have done.

Black, Paris, love trying out new cuisines since I am a big foodie and favorite season is Spring. I appreciate all design so picking one particular thing or brand is a tough one!

I read books and listen to music or paint depending at the time to motivate. To see a concept turn into a reality really makes my day.

To my Parents it was evident.

All three Partners received a degree in Art and Architecture from Rhode Island school of Design. After which they formed a firm and have been practicing together since. They all have a similar background as they come from design backgrounds where their parents were Architects and Artist so choosing to be designers was an obvious choice for them.

Established in 2009, YOCA, or Young Collective Artists, is a premium Home Couture brand that surfaced from the synergies between three artists; Zayd Bilgrami, Ahsan Najmi and Sarah Najmi Bilgrami who together, bring with them a combination of inspirational creativity, seasoned industry exposure and academic design credentials from the coveted Rhode Island School of Design. The three artists represent a second generation of experts, whose predecessors have to their credit the 35 year architectural practice, Najmi Bilgrami Collaborative Ltd (NBCL), where all three team members are also partners. With a firm understanding of architectural and interior design and scales, YOCA premium home furniture store takes pride in producing unique pieces as their own with no compromise on aesthetics and design, the core elements for any piece of furniture. YOCA is the only home boutique in Pakistan that is run by professionally trained architects. For YOCA, excellence, quality and finesse in design are the most essential ingredients. With a philosophy of utilizing the best materials to imagination, they are distinguished by their understated elegance.

Design is an expression of self, your ability to create something and connect with people visually. It evokes an emotion in people through what you create.

Something I feel passionate about and have complete design freedom to create that which is close to my heart.

A cot for a very special client (my daughter)

During designing definitely need to focus at the balance between form and function.

High passion, exuberation!, contemplation, euphoria, frustration

If your creative endeavours are realised and meets what it is meant to do and super cedes your expectations it is considered to be successful.

Aesthetics and sustainability.

Integration of technology.

Music, travels, reading and human interactions.

Pakistan. There is a lot of ancient style of carpentry and all lend to create the timeless pieces. The pros are that the old craftsmanship still exists and cons would be since it is a developing country the labour is not educated, but hopefully we at YOCA are aiming to change that with a literary program setup.

We start with making hand sketches and then have multiple design charets where the design is evolved further, design reiterations, there are several trial and error as we explore different materials, we even make model first 3D and then actuals to understand the different scales and proportions until we finally conclude and then final production takes place.

My bed, bed side table, coffee table in my bedroom, dining table and the Armoire.

Stay true to yourself.

The ability to see good design, to have an aesthetic sense. Learning the craft to manipulate materials and to have an eye for proportions.

I enjoy most when given complete design freedom to create that which is close to my heart.

We work as a team.

You can contact us at info@yocainc.com or at +922135242629