Reconciling Two Worlds: The Link Between Design and Literature with Najat Amer

"Every great design begins with an even better story."

- Lorinda Mamo

As a child, I would dream of an art studio to call my own. I’d draw up dreamscapes in my mind in glorious technicolour — paint would be absent-mindedly splattered on its wooden floors as sunlit windows play a cheeky game of hide-and-seek with corners, quiet and hiding. A girl with hands smeared in ink would occupy a room bathed in both dark and light as music spilled from every pen stroke and stereo boom. My art studio would be my sanctuary, a safe place far away from the scary exterior of Maths class and the anxious interior of an eleven year old plagued with the age-old fear of not being good enough.

Naturally, my affinity for art drove me into art school years later. Nestled among people who were as passionate about colours and compositions as I was, I believed that this was going to be my future. However, there was always an emptiness I could not quite place, a feeling of hollowness that could not be doodled onto a sketchbook.

One day as I sat in my Digital Imaging class, early and eager, I decided to whip out a book while waiting for my other classmates to arrive. It was then when my lecturer came to me and asked me why I was reading. Confused and slightly taken aback by the question, I asked him if class was about to begin, afraid that I had been disruptive or distracted somehow — but he assured me that it was nothing of the sort and went on to repeat the question with perplexity: “Why are you reading?” I had always been a bookworm, a true nerd at heart so I just told him that I would try to read during pockets of free time. Upon hearing this, he looked at me as if I had just said that the world was flat and simply shook his head before walking away.

Looking back, I guess there was always a part of me that felt as if I had to choose between my love for art and my love for literature. Now as a final year literature student who still has a passion for the arts, I see that I never truly had to decide between the two. Many people see design and literature as two different spheres, divorced from one another. But this could not be further from the truth. Designers are intrinsically and inevitably storytellers — it is only a matter of whether they recognise it or not.

Najat Amer, interior designer and co-founder of the online bookstore Ulatbukutales, understands this well. Ulatbukutales is an online space centered around book reviews that provide its readers with personal insights on works of literature. In my conversation with her, I realise that she shares similar views on this topic. Contrary to general expectations, the fields of design and literature not only intersect, but inform each other more often than we may think.

NL

How long have you been an interior designer and what inspired you?

NA

I’ve been an interior designer since 2012, so that’s coming to about 9 years. I wasn’t particularly inspired by anything that led me to become one, I personally think it was an assessment my mother made when I was young and she sort of built on that observation until it became my own interest.

NL

Have you always loved reading? Ulatbukutales is gaining a large following and has enriched the experience of many Malaysian readers such as myself. How did the idea originally come about and what would you like for it to achieve amongst the Malaysian community? NA

Yes, and no! I never particularly thought much about whether I liked reading – reading’s simply a norm in my family like it was breathing, but I insisted on making it a habit because I don’t like to feel uninteresting, or empty-headed when I speak to people. Ulatbukutales is a product of wanting to talk about great books when nobody is interested enough to listen. To me, the best way to go about this is to create a community that does. It doesn’t serve any grand agenda, but simply serves to spread good books and at the same time provide an outlet for my own catharsis.

NL

In your opinion, what makes something a good read?

NA

Something that doesn’t agree with your initial thoughts about a subject and then provides elaborated examples on why. Good books challenge what you think you know, so I always make a point to read everything.

NL

And what makes something a good design?

NA

Subjective. A design that heals and calms the soul is great, but a design that evokes curiosity and makes you wonder and wander is equally successful. “Good” designs are not a monolith, but there are certain qualities that they produce that make people want to either keep being in, or keep using it. Practicality and beauty — always a winning combination.

NL

Do you find that there is a correlation between the books you read and the designs you create?

NA

Definitely.

NL

Many people tend to overlook or fail to see a connection between design work and the habit of reading. Why do you think that is?

NA

Because people underestimate the act of reading, or the knowledge one is able to gain from that. Perhaps most people see these two as separate acts, or that reading is simply for leisure, so they don’t make the connection. It could also be the readers themselves — we can’t expect everyone to be metaphorical or have the same kind of emotional literacy to translate symbolism in books into creative or analytical thought. I think, unless you truly value reading and always make a point to reflect on the ideas you come across, you won’t access the potential synergy of these two acts.

NL

In your opinion, in what ways do reading and design influence each other? Do you find yourself incorporating elements from the books you've read into your design work?

NA

All the time, because it is necessary to do so. Designers are problem solvers more than they are creative artists — a fact I personally aspire more people to understand. In order to become successful problem solvers, designers need to spend time researching and learning and experimenting which, naturally, requires them to read on top of personal observations. In my opinion, universities are the best place to take advantage of this fact to explore some of the most unique designs with concepts built from various narratives found in books. After all, the best designs come with stories, and good stories begin with expansive knowledge and information.

NL

What types of books would you recommend, design and non-design, that has helped you in your designing endeavours?

NA

As an interior designer who is a little more philosophical than most, I like making interiors that serve beyond aesthetic purposes. I’m always curious about institutional spaces such as prisons or mental health hospitals, even schools or interiors with unique clienteles — eg. for the blind or patients with dementia. These are spaces which require extensive thought on behavioural, mental and emotional issues — most of my best design thoughts are inspired by philosophy, social sciences and world events. The more you know, the better your design sells.

Check out @ulatbukutales and @najatamerstudio on Instagram to find out more about Najat Amer and her creative and literary endeavours.

Note: This interview was conducted through email.