The 1 Creative Studio
2 Artistic Practice &
3 Production House of
Ali Godil

Our studio is rooted in the idea of beauty as a means of changing the world. We see beauty as the bridge between the world of formless and form. Beauty as the necessary manifestation of creative ideas in order to truly impact the spirit and hearts of people.

If you’ve ever stopped and stared at a flower, watched a beautiful sunset, stared in the eyes of your loving dog, or walked along the beach without a care in the world you’ve been absorbed and intoxicated with beauty. That’s what we want to capture and bring to the world with our work, art, designs, and films.

In order for beauty to truly exist we must create the team and environment for beauty to exist. Because we can’t communicate something we don’t truly have ourselves. Our studio is rooted in a globally conscious perspective and approach. This means we truly curate an internationally diverse team with perspectives of artists, makers, creatives and designers in all of our projects, this creates a cultural exchange and truly global style that enriches the work and gets away from an overtly imperialistic “western” approach to art and design. Some of the cultures and countries that our team represents are the USA, Mexico, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Germany, Spain, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Philippines, India, Croatia, Nigeria and Egypt.

We also have a unique culture that we implement in our process of creation that allows for a safe environment for all artists, designers, and creatives to truly express themselves and their inner truth.
The list of our commitments as a company are the following:

1. BE PRESENT

Truly be present and content with the current moment as you create. If you create and design from a state of presence and attention then ideas will flow through you and you’ll be able to bring beauty into the work.

2. UNLOCK BEAUTY

Strive for beauty in everything you do. How you treat others, how you care for the outcome of a project, how you nourish and take time for your own body and rest. Being conscious and thoughtful as you bring beauty to the work will inspire you to manifest your highest self.

3. CREATE BOUNDARIES

Upholding boundaries creates the right environment for great work to come to life. If you are clear about what you need to be happy and successful then we want to make sure that we provide that environment for all of our team. We are not rigid, but flexible so that everyone feels welcome and secure in their role and expectations.

4. SMILE THROUGH IT ALL

Things happen in life that are out of our control, but as long as we welcome everything that comes, we don’t personalize the trivial roadblocks. If we get frustrated and angry then we let the situations control us, but if we smile and become patient with challenges then we can overcome them with ease and use them to our advantage. We can then respond to things accordingly with softness.

5. NO ATTACHMENTS

Remove all attachments to your expectation of what is “good” or what the outcome should be. Once you remove attachments, then you can celebrate the adventure and process of getting to a better outcome that you didn’t expect. This ability to not hold to what we think things should be, we’re able to manifest things that are greater than our imaginations could’ve predicted.

6. JOY IN EXPLORATION

Have fun and take your time. Know that things aren’t always linear, and so applying pressure to get “somewhere” will only decrease the quality of your work and your joy. Find happiness in the process and be secure in the uncertainty of every project, in order for you to manifest something truly special.

When you enter the House of Gul, please leave your ego and shoes at the door. We are intentional. We live for the beauty of life. We want to share our unique gifts with the world. We exist to make beauty visible. We believe beauty is when ethics matches aesthetics. Forcing you to get out of your head and experience the joy of life. Where sun rays meet butterflies, and the open field of soft grass comforts your toes.

Gül : Noun / (Urdu, Farsi, Turkish) / meaning flower or rose, a sacred symbol of eternal beauty inspiring poets and painters.

In this euro-centric and western dominated design and creative world, we strive to bring a different more universal perspective to creative and design work. Shifting art and visual culture to be more inclusive and interesting. Creating a harmonious cultural exchange and balance between worldviews and artistic taste.
‍
After working at agencies and corporations, and not being able to find a studio that truly aligned with his values and cultural beliefs about art and work, Ali Godil started House of Gül in 2015 in Portland, Oregon. After working with many corporate, non-profit and cultural clients and finding a unique audience in the space, the company evolved into what it is today, a part creative studio, artistic practice and production house that works on commercial and self-initiated artistic projects. It is important we have our own voice and artistic perspective in culture and are not just a blind vehicle for turbo capitalism.
‍
We work with international and local clients to bring beauty to the world and help them communicate their truth with creative, design and production. We work on artistic projects that reflect our unique sensibilities and communicate our truth to the physical and digital world. We also produce films, design products and editorial publications that are carefully crafted with the community in mind. This all culminates in a wave of love and joy that we’d like to see in the world.

Welcome to our joyful renaissance. Where work, nature, art and beauty all intersect.
We work with international brands, nonprofits and cultural institutions to help communicate their truth and bring design and images to life.
‍
Our creative studio specializes in 3 main verticals, creative concepts, multidisciplinary graphic design, and photo and film production. This can express itself in a multitude of ways based on project needs and time.

For creative concepts, it includes coming up with creative ideas and directions that are powerful and relevant to contemporary culture. This includes creative ideas, conceptual territories, mood boards, taglines, and overall look and feel of a project.

For multidisciplinary graphic design, this includes the visual direction and execution of design deliverables. Varying from brand identity design, editorial design, print, social, digital design (and development), 3D design and illustrations.

For photo and film production, we manage all aspects of production from concept to delivery. This includes pre-production planning, research, and all the phases of creative production and post-production.

Starting with planning content ideas and treatments, identifying and putting together a crew, location scouting, and interviewing and creating the overall narrative theme of a piece. Then in production we execute the filming and shooting on location, working with talent or models and set-design to communicate a specific idea or style we want to achieve. Then managing all aspects of post-production which includes editing, color correction, sound design, and music.

We also initiate and lead artistic projects, materials and collaborations to communicate our essential truth and the creative vision of artist, designer and director Ali Godil. Many of the artistic projects we create and work on revolve around the idea of beauty as a means of liberation and bliss, the essential joy of the human spirit, and connecting humanity with the essential oneness and life within all living things. Helping uplift the mental conditioning of consumption culture and reframing the present moment and eternal now as a source of awakening and happiness. This may take the form of paintings, digital artwork, and cultural commissions.
‍
In addition, we operate as a production house that manifests cultural projects for the industry. Uplifting the human experience through art and design and sharing our point of view. This may take the form as independent films, editorial publications, product design and community events for our soul tribe family.

We hold design, art and creative work as very special and impactful in contributing to modern culture and consciousness.

That’s why we take it seriously and dedicate the time and effort to make sure it is beautifying and uplifting modern society instead of just contributing to the overwhelming noise.

Western design tradition at its core is rooted in overly minimalistic and functionalist intent. Popularized and proliferated by modernity and capitalism. Designed to get to the point, communicate information, and systematize for mass production what used to be a creative experience into rules and grids. Although there is benefit to this ideal, in its extreme it has caused everything to look the same and lose any individuality and soul. We’ve been reduced to mere consumers and blind participants of the desires of corporations.
‍
Eastern and Islamic design tradition in its essence is rooted in celebrating and honoring the spirit within the human being, the world, and nature in all its wonder. Intended to awaken and revitalize the senses to see the beauty in life and the joy within their being. Humans are not reduced to mere passive consumers but active participants in the dance of life. Rooted in power and love. Art and design as a means to uplift and inspire love within as a reflection of divine love and universal love within all.
‍
This is where we exist. At the intersection of these two worlds, bringing the eastern spirit into the western context and environments. Bringing ancient traditions of the past into modern society. Through this we can create something new, unseen, and harmonious between cultures and belief systems. Our work is not new nor old, neither east nor west, it is timeless and universal.

Some of the aspects of that visual language that we gravitate towards are:

Simplicity of spirit and idea.
Geometric balance. Natural curves and inspiration. Rhythm and mesmerizing composition.

Looking through the lens of these principles we are able to create something special and unique for each project. Capturing the essence of an idea and bringing it to life in personal and timeless ways.