NIMAH MOHIUDDIN
Finding Peace thorough Photography
Portrait courtesy of Nimah Mohiuddin. Photo credit: Kai Brown
4th year Bachelor of Architecture student at Illinois Institute of Technology
Nimah Mohiuddin is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the Illinois Institute of Technology studying architecture and urban design. She has always been a very design-oriented person and felt drawn to discovering what a creative profession could look like for herself. Over the past few years that Nimah has been in school, she has expanded her understanding of what architecture can be and do for the world.
Through her studies, Nimah has been interested in the relationship between diversity and equity in the arts, design and activism, and the importance of sustainable architecture. During her time at IIT, she has helped re-establish the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students. NOMASiit is an all-inclusive student community aiming to champion diversity within the design profession by promoting inclusivity, community engagement, and professional development. She has served on numerous board positions and currently acts as president of the organization.
Inspiration
What inspired you to start photography? How did you get into it?
As an architecture student, I always find myself interested in exploring different avenues and aspects of design. I think hobbies are especially important during school because they allow you to take a break and be creative outside of class. Photography, film, and music are the creative mediums that I have always gravitated towards.
Photography, for me, is a part of my childhood. Whether it be a celebration or a family outing, my dad and I always explored the numerous lenses and techniques on his camera. Tied to photography is my other interest: films. From documentaries to more lighthearted movies, films have the ability to tie us together as a community. Some of my fondest memories with friends and family are spent gathered together over a great movie.
Though playing the piano is a recent quarantine addition to my routine, it has already opened my mind to become a stress-free one. It has been a slow and steady process, yet it helps me understand the importance of exploring skills outside of studio.
A hobby is when you forget the world and focus on one element.
A hobby is when you see the world more openly and acceptingly.
A hobby is when you can find peace.
Image courtesy of Nimah Mohiuddin.
Image courtesy of Nimah Mohiuddin.
Time Management
How did you manage to maintain your time with your hobby (is it a stress reliever for you?) while practicing architecture?
Time is often forgotten when I am in my element. As architectural students, we tend to ignore our stress which then builds up to be released on one fine morning and we lose it. To prevent that, I try to implement breaks between my work and take time for myself when needed. I try to balance my hobbies with architecture and weave the two together in my daily life.
Resources
What are some resources (tools, mediums, influence) that you use?
Inspiration for photography, film, or what song I want to play on the piano comes directly from my surroundings. Many times, they are tied to one another. I may watch a movie and then want to learn to play its score or see a style of cinematography and try to reflect it in my photography. However, my best resources are typically ones closest to me. Like many other design students, I find myself scrolling on Instagram or Pinterest. I also find myself influenced by NOMASiit’s virtual art gallery NOMAScape and most importantly my friends and family.
Image courtesy of Nimah Mohiuddin.
Image courtesy of Nimah Mohiuddin.
Want to start #Photography? Follow These Steps!
What are the bases, favorite tools? What items do you need to start?
I would encourage anyone interested in photography to first start out with using their smartphone. It is a great way to start to play around with capturing images and cellphone cameras have advanced very far in recent years. The same goes for film, anyone can appreciate and take inspiration from cinematography and color palettes.
I just started to teach myself how to play piano through using YouTube so I would just urge anyone who is interested in learning something new, to just go for it. It is never too late to start.
In terms of rising concerns and problems (in the architectural profession) over the past year, what is one change that you wish would happen and it did not?
Diversity should not only be integrated within our community but also in our curriculum.
