Aysha Bilal Associate Professor
Aysha Bilal is academician, researcher and practicing documentary photographer and graphic designer. Aysha studied Masters in Graphic Design at Punjab University and later obtained her Masters degree in Photography from Nottingham Trent University, UK in 2014. Aysha is currently in final phase of her PhD from University of Punjab. She has done more than 90 national and international projects in the field of Design, Research, Performing Arts and Photography. She has produced more than 14 national and international exhibitions.
Aysha is on the faculty at University of Home Economics as Associate Professor and carries on her independent practice. Her photographic work has been exhibited at UN Geneva in 2023. She has won UNESCO photography call titled “Female Journalists in Challenging Environments” 2021. Bilal’s solo exhibitions include “Identity Insistently Public” 2017, China and “A Normal Pakistani” 2015 UK, for Insideout Project USA. Among her group shows are “Studio Waley” Lahore 2021, “Is Say Key Parcham Taley”, Karachi 2016, Insideout Project 2015, Nottingham, UK, “A Normal Pakistani” 2014, Surface Gallery, Nottingham, UK and “A Normal Pakistani” 2014, Bonington Gallery Nottingham Trent University, UK. Her book A Normal Pakistani was published in 2015 in the UK. Her published research papers include Munnu Bhai: Aura and Beyond, Journal of History, University of the Punjab, 2018, Vandalism on Advertisement Boards in Pakistan, Journal of Research, Department of English, University of the Punjab 2019 and Blackened Faces of Women on Advertisement Boards, Journal of Research & Reviews in Social Sciences Pakistan 2019.
EMPLOYMENT
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Chairperson, Visual Communication Design
University of Home Economics
Pakistan, Dec. 2022
Convener
Advisory Committee of Art and Design
Project Supervisory Committee
ITS Steering Committee
LECTURER
Graphic Design Department, IDVA
Lahore College for Women University
Pakistan, Jan. 2009- Nov. 2022
Teaching History of Design, Photography, Graphic Design, Illustration, Computer Graphics and Video Production to bachelors’ and Masters’ classes
Thesis Supervisor BFA-MFA-MS
I have supervised more than 150 Graphic Design Thesis and have organized and curated several degree shows and exhibitions
Facilitator Active Citizen Program by British Council
I am serving as authorized trainer for ACP. SAPs of my students have been widely appreciated including international Platforms such as Inside Out, USA
Focal Person Dramatics, Seminars, Workshops
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Orient Advertising
Sep. 2007- Dec.2008
Research Strategies, Hybrid advertising solutions for international clients Haier, SONY and Local clients Mitchell’s Food Company and 5 Star Textiles, ATL and BTL advertising.
SENIOR VISUALIZER
Evernew Concepts
Feb. 2007 to Sep. 2007
At Evernew Concepts I have worked with large number of clients for their ATL and BTL advertising. Clients include Service Shows, Chen One, Super Crisp, DWP, Lake City and various food companies.
VISUALIZER
Orient McCann Erickson
Jun. 2006 to Jan. 2007
Multiple Advertising solutions for The Coca-Cola Company (Coca Cola, Sprite, Diet Coke, Kinley), including Coke Side of Life (CSOL).
ART & DESIGN, CULTURE RESEARCHER
Area of interest: Typologies, Identities, Role of Art & Design in shaping Cultures and Societies.
INDEPENDENT PHOTOGRAPHER
Research and Photography on Documentary-Architecture-Portrait-Travel, UK-Pakistan
EDUCATION
PhD Enrolled, 2020
University of the Punjab
Master of Arts, Photography 2014
Nottingham Trent University, UK
MFA, Graphic Design, 2006
BFA, Graphic Design, 2004, Distinction
University College of Art and Design, University of the Punjab, Pakistan
RESEARCH GRANTS
NRPU
HEC. PU, LCWU. 2022
FORMAL TRAININGS
SYLLABUS DESIGN
DFDI. LCWU. 2020
RBM
Result Based Management Course
UNESCO, October. 2017
ACTIVE CITIZENS PROGRAM
British Council, July. 2015
ACTIVE RESEARCHER FOR POSTGRADUATE RESEARCHERS
Nottingham Trent University, UK, September. 2011
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAAM FOR TEACHERS (PCEPT)
HEC, LCWU, July-Aug. 2009
MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION
NCA, April-Oct. 2005
PUBLICATIONS
Munnu Bhai: Aura and Beyond: Journal of History, University of the Punjab, 2018 (Published)
Vandalism on Advertisement Boards in Pakistan: Journal of Research, Department of English, University of the Punjab 2019 (Published)
Blackened Faces of Women on Advertisement Boards: Journal of Research & Reviews in Social Sciences Pakistan 2019 (Published)
A Normal Pakistani? Book based on my Masters Thesis, 2015
RESEARCH PAPERS-CONFERENCES PRESENTED
Digital Technologies for Sustainable Heritage
1st International SDG Conference, UHE, 2023
A Nation Raised by Maids: A study through Amusement Places in Lahore
6th International Punjabi Conference, LCWU, 2023
Oppositely Parallels;
International ETH Conference, Punjab University, 2021
The last saviors of Lahore’s History;
Third International Punjabi Conference, LCWU, 2020
Female Domestic Workers; Changing Visual Culture of Urban Punjab
Second International Punjabi Conference, LCWU, 2019
Munnu Bhai: A Journey through Portraiture:
Paper Presentation GCU, 2018
Blackened Faces of Women on Advertisement Boards
1st International Conference on Social Sciences & Humanities
Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, 2018
Semiotics in Film
BNU Film Festival, Beaconhouse National University, 2018
Representation of the Women of Punjab in recent Drama Serials
First International Punjabi Conference, LCWU, 2017
Research and Photography: Maid in Lahore
International Thaap Conference, 2017
Research and Photography: Ganda Kapra: Nations die first in the big cities
International Thaap Conference, 2016
WORKSHOPS-SEMINARS-TALKS
Conducted
On Photography
Talk, BNU, 2023
Search for D to Design (2)
Design Seminar, LCWU, 2021
Search for D to Design (1)
Design Seminar, UCAD, PU, 2021
Photography Walk
Through the walled city of Lahore, LCWU, 2019
Inspiring Careers, as A Muslim Women Role Model
Workshops, Fir Vale School, Sheffield, UK 2015
EXHIBITIONS/ INTERVENTIONS
SOLO
Identity; Insistently Public,
Solo Exhibition. China, 2017
A Normal Pakistani for Insideout Project,
Solo Exhibition Nottingham, UK, 2015
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Fly on the Wall
PNCA, Pakistan, 2024
Speak
UN Building, Geneva, 2023
Studio Waley
“Oppositely Parallels”
UCAD PU, 2021
“Khud Karna Ha” Film Screening
SLF. 2021.
Shaad Baad Pakistan, 2019. Lahore
“Ganda Kapra”, Is Saye Kay Parcham Talay,
City as a gallery, 2016. Karachi, Lahore
Insideout Project, 2016. Lahore
XVMA, 2014. Surface Gallery, Nottingham, UK
A Normal Pakistani 2014. Bonington Gallery, Nottingham, UK
Relation of Observer and Observed 2013. Nottingham, UK
Believing in the importance of gaining excellence in interdisciplinary fields i have been participating in several theatre and film productions in the roles of director, assistant director and production designer.
FILMMAKING
PRODUCTION DESIGN-ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Tasalsul/Continuity (Short Film Series) 2019-onwards
Screened on Pakistan Television National Film Festival
Gulab 2018, Production Designer
Rupyana Ana Pai 2017, Associate Director and Production Designer
The film has been screened at international festivals in USA and 9 cities in India
Doosri Taraf 2017, Production Designer
Short Listed in Top 14 Films at Hum Film Festival
Beneath the Sea 2014, Assistant Director
Screened at International Rafi Peer Film Festival
Sohni Dharti 2014, Assistant Director
Screened at New Art Exchange, UK
Parinda 2005, Director
Part of MFA Thesis
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT SELECTION
UNESCO. UN
Female Journalist in Challenging Conditions
Jan. 2021
PERMANENT DISPLAY
Museum of Hebei Normal University
My Photographic Print is honored as part of permanent display Nov. 2017
Best Play (Director) SIRAJ U DIN DRAMATICS SOCEITY for Inter-University Drama Competition at GCU, Lahore Pakistan, Dec. 2016
Photography Project- by Insideout International, 2016 and 2015
International Recognition for Installation Design– for SONY won recognition representatives from 18
different countries-Dubai 2008
Awards & Honours at YTF– I have Won several awards and honours at Youth Theatre Festivals for Film, Design, Makeup and Production Design
Memberships– I am part of various multidisciplinary bodies and committees LCWU, TEVTA, SARGODHA UNIVERSITY and HOME ECONOMICS UNIVERSITY
I am part of the Monument Committee for LCWU Centenary Celebrations
