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

1^st 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
1^st 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