2008 | BE YOURSELF VOLUME 02 | PERSONAL WORK

Emerging Talent No. 11: William Ismael
“My creations are a translation of a message,” says Paris-based designer/director William Ismael. “Sometimes it is purely abstract. Sometimes it is purely visual. Sometimes it’s spiritual and emotional. Sometimes it makes sense. Sometimes it makes no sense at all.” Ismael mixes media—using both digital and analog tools—to create motion, interactive and environmental design. “I make them work together like they are the same blood type.”

Ismael was born in Toulon in the south of France and was raised in Paris, Milan, New York and L.A. Growing up in so many cities tends to confuse some people about Ismael’s nationality and makes him a bit of a global citizen. He speaks French like a Frenchman and English like an American … and he also has multiple degrees: a business degree in International Trade from Santa Monica College and a BFA from Art Center College of Design, where he focused on motion graphics. At the age of 16, Ismael was signed to Warner Bros. France as a recording artist, and he has been recording nonstop internationally with a variety of talented artists. He’s also been a model, appearing in magazines worldwide, including Vogue.

Visual and musical creations are how he breathes. They are “my life,” he says. “My favorite thing to do is to say something through visuals and sound.” Ismael finds motion graphics perfect for blending his two passions. “His international and diverse background make his point of view rich and meaningful,” says his former instructor at Art Center, Petrula Vrontikis. “He has no media boundaries—it’s all about expression through whatever media is required. The messages are strong and well crafted. His musical talent shows in the lyrical way he approaches graphic design problems.” Ismael works in a media-agnostic fashion that pushes the boundaries of graphic design. “William is deeply immersed in contemporary culture, active in the music and street art scenes,” notes Nik Hafermaas, Art Center’s chair of Graphic Design. “He brings his very sophisticated visual style also to socially responsible projects. He has just entered into a working relationship with UNESCO in Paris.” Ismael has also done projects for MTV Europe (Berlin) and is currently working on projects for Authentica and an agency called PM Pub.

Not surprisingly, however, Ismael’s goal is to become his own client. “The future is based on the decisions I make in the present,” he says. “I see myself telling lots of stories and sharing messages with the world. I have so much to say. I follow my heart and intuition.” But equilibrium is vital to Ismael, who says he aspires “to balance hard work with something that soothes my body and mind. I’m working on it.”
www.williamismael.com