Today we’d like to introduce you to Huda Moopen.
Huda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always been creative, ever since I can remember. In fact, my earliest memories were of doodling skies and painting seashells or filling in the minute details of my coloring books. However, being a young Muslim girl growing up in the US, I never had any real form of representation in the products I used, which really affected my childhood and the way I viewed myself. It was only as I grew older that I learned how to dismantle feelings of self-loathing because I didn’t look like the girls I saw on television, on my toys, or in my books. This is why I decided to utilize my own creative skills in design, illustration, and marketing to create an array of stationery, buttons and pins for the Muslim youth to be able to use.
Has it been a smooth road?
Honestly, it can be really overwhelming. Since I work three other jobs and am still in college, life can get busy, so time management is absolutely crucial. Regarding the products I have been making, it is definitely a learning and timely process. To me, artists are almost always underpaid and undervalued. I don’t think people understand or appreciate the amount of time it takes to come up with an idea, design, execute it, and then produce a product using that artwork.
Another thing I struggled with was while creating the stickers. It often took trial and error to produce the perfect batch. Other times, a product such as a pin/button won’t look exactly how I want it to look after being manufactured and shipped to my house, which is absolutely painful. Though these hurdles can be frustrating, I know for sure that I can say I have definitely learned what not to do.
We’d love to hear more about HudHud Creations.
Though the representation of Muslims has grown in recent years, this is one demographic in particular that is often stereotyped and misrepresented in all areas of media; therefore, I thought this was a perfect opportunity to give the next generation something I had wished I myself had had as a child: my shop HudHud Creations (named after my nickname Hudhud, which means woodpecker in Arabic) features a range of products available for Muslims, from stickers to buttons and to coloring books.
I think the reason I began this shop is what really makes it so special; it means something to me, and I know it means something to every Muslim who uses my products. It’s also something I create with my own hands that I illustrate or design or cut or package myself; the product that ends up in the hands of my customer will always be unique just for the fact that it is my work. The sense of joy I feel when I see kids coloring the pages of the coloring books I created, or happy customers rocking their cute pins is unmatched and really makes me feel like I’m making a difference, as small as it is.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I was born and brought up in Dallas, so even though this is really the only place I’ve ever known, it’s home and it’s comfortable and welcoming, which I’m sure not everyone can say regarding their hometowns; I love how diverse it is and how comfortable I can feel within my own skin. I think Dallas is a great, bustling, and expansive city to start a business, constantly thriving and growing with each passing day.
Pricing:
- All my products are extremely affordable and college friendly, ranging from $3-20.00.
Contact Info:
- Website: bit.ly/hudhudcreations
- Email: hudamoopen@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/hudadoesart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hudhudcreations
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