Desi Futurism: Pakistani Illustrator Expands Global Freelance Career
Lahore-born illustrator Hazem Asif leverages digital platforms to secure international freelance projects, highlighting the growing potential of illustration as a career for Pakistani youth.
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Open on Business Recorder## Digital Platforms Enable New Careers
Digital media are turning illustration from a hobby into a viable profession for many young Pakistanis. Hazem Asif, based in Lahore, shifted from a corporate job to a global freelance illustration career, working on projects such as posters for local web series, a Google Doodle honoring Moin Akhtar, and book covers for major publishers like HarperCollins and Penguin Random House.
## Concept of “Desi Futurism”
Asif describes his artistic approach as “Desi Futurism,” which reimagines South Asian culture through a futuristic lens. He believes this perspective gives the region a voice in future storytelling and challenges the stereotype that illustration is merely casual drawing.
## International Milestones
One of Asif’s notable achievements is illustrating a new edition of *The Odyssey* for DK Books, marking the first time a Pakistani artist has illustrated this classic for a children’s publishing house. The project required eight months of intensive work, including style development, sketching, coloring, and world‑building.
## Local Market Challenges
While Pakistan boasts abundant artistic talent, the domestic children’s publishing sector remains limited due to funding, infrastructure, and representation gaps. Asif notes that social media and digital content creation are gradually expanding opportunities, but systemic support such as reliable payment systems (e.g., PayPal) is still lacking.
## Outlook for Emerging Illustrators
According to Asif, the pandemic has reduced geographic barriers, allowing artists to secure international contracts through digital tools like Procreate and social platforms. He encourages Gen‑Z creatives to build strong portfolios and stay current with global trends to sustain a freelance illustration career.
## Cultural Shift
The growing acceptance of modern illustration and animation is reshaping perceptions of artistic professions in Pakistan, moving away from traditional stigma and toward a more supportive environment for creative industries.