In Conversation With Laila From The Daft Draft | Billboard Pakistan

Q1. Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you start drawing and do you only create digital art? Ans.  I actually knew nothing about illustration and had never drawn digitally. But I had a lot of creative concepts and needed to learn a way to execute those ideas, hence I watched YouTube tutorials on how to use Adobe Illustrator and slowly got the hang of it. Still learning every day! And yes, I only make digital illustrations.

Q2. What was the idea behind The Daft Draft?

Ans. The idea was to illustrate real-life experiences and emotions in a light-hearted and creative way. Although it eventually became a mix of funny and intense/emotional pieces, which I personally prefer. I feel like it creates a good balance.

Q3. How do you brainstorm for each design and come up with such creative ideas?

Ans. The ideas usually come to me randomly, and then I think of ways to execute the idea to make it pop visually and conceptually. Sometimes, it starts off with not even a specific idea, but an overall theme or issue like societal pressure on women, for example.

Q4. Living in Toronto and still following desi culture, how does it feel to be able to relate to hundreds and thousands of people on the Eastern side?

Ans. I actually grew up in Pakistan, and have on and off been living between Pakistan and Canada since College. So Desi culture is something that’s embedded in me as that is what I’ve grown up around. Having so many people respond to my humor is honestly the most amazing feeling. I feel like I have all these new friends who get me.

Q5. How did you manage to stay anonymous for a whole year? Frankly, I was intrigued to get to know the person behind this blog.

Ans. Haha, there’s a certain charm in anonymity. You are only the work you create, no face attached. And that’s what I wanted initially; for people to love the work, which fortunately for me they did, and then when I did plan to reveal my identity, it just felt right at that one year mark. 

Q6. You’ve made quite a lot of unconventional art, how do you deal with haters or trolls?

Ans. The first time I got trolled I was not used to it, so it actually bothered me quite a bit for one whole day. What bothered me was that I was trying to explain to them what my post actually meant but it seemed like talking to a wall, and then I realized that I don’t owe them an explanation. Haters will hate, that’s what they do. And now when I get trolled, I actually feel pretty proud that my post has had the power to make someone feel something, even if it’s anger. The more intense a reaction is, the more power it gives to my art. So I let them comment and ignore them till they get bored and move on to their next target.

Q7. Is there any piece of work you’re particularly proud of?

Ans. All my pieces are close to my heart, but if I really have to choose one I’d pick ‘buri aurat buri aadat’ (the smoking one). I think it conveyed the message really well.

Q8. What response did you receive when you announced your merch? Are you planning to launch any more designs?

Ans. So far the response has been outstanding. I was not expecting so many orders since I don’t offer cash on delivery yet, but people are buying it and many are sending me photos of their merch. It’s truly exciting.

Q9. What exciting projects are you currently working on?

Ans. I’m actually working on a few commissioned pieces and collabs at the moment, along with some typography based posts for my page.

Q10. Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring illustrators?

Ans. Just start drawing. You might not be very good at it initially but you’ll slowly get the hang of it. I’m still learning. Just try to make your concepts strong. A beautiful illustration is great, but anything that has a message attached is even more interesting.