Animator Masud Karim: Blending Criminology, Theater, and Animation to Dominate Bangladesh’s Creative Scene

Masud Karim’s career is a testament to the transformative power of blending art, academia, and activism. As a seasoned animator, creative director, and visual storyteller, Karim has spent over a decade revolutionizing Bangladesh’s animation industry through his company, Dream Maker Creative Station. His unique journey, rooted in a childhood passion for drawing and enriched by experiences in theater and criminology, has enabled him to create animations that are not only technically brilliant but also deeply psychological and culturally resonant.

Karim, born on October 16, 1984, in the rural village of Hugra, Tangail, found his artistic calling early in life. What began as a passion for drawing gradually expanded into graphic design and eventually blossomed into a full-fledged career in animation. Immersed in culturally rich surroundings during his formative years, he became actively involved in theater and educational activism—experiences that played a crucial role in shaping his creative identity. His background in theater contributed significantly to his understanding of scene composition and timing, skills that seamlessly translated into the world of animation. Alongside his artistic journey, academic training in criminology and police science developed his analytical mindset. This unique combination of creativity and critical thinking laid the foundation for a career marked by constant experimentation and exploration across platforms, always in pursuit of the most effective tools to bring stories to life through animation.

Karim’s professional journey started with child education program. He began as a drawing teacher at FULKI, a non-profit organization, from 2007 to 2011, where he honed his teaching abilities and used art for community engagement. He then served as a case manager for the SCAR Project under the Ministry of Social Welfare from February 2012 to December 2014, experiences that underscored the social impact of creative work. By 2016, he transitioned to corporate roles, becoming Head of Media & IT at Index Group in Gulshan, Dhaka, until December 2021. Subsequent positions included Head of Animation at Jamuna Electronics & Automobiles Ltd. from January to December 2022, and Creative Manager at Shakh (shakhbd.com) from June 2023 to December 2024, where he led projects in product visualization, motion graphics, and digital campaigns using tools like Blender, Adobe Animate, and Lumion.

In 2020, Karim founded Dream Maker Creative Station, a Dhaka-based agency offering comprehensive services in 2D and 3D animation, graphic design, and WordPress development. His fluency in Bangla and English has facilitated collaborations with international clients, while his research and content development skills ensure innovative, story-driven outputs. Karim also works part-time as Creative Director at Arshinagar Media, further expanding his freelance portfolio.

Hailing from a supportive family—son of Md. Osman Gani and Najma Khanum—Karim credits his Tangail roots and diverse experiences for his success. As Bangladesh’s creative sector grows, Karim’s interdisciplinary approach continues to inspire, blending art’s emotional pull with analytical precision to craft animations that captivate and educate. With Dream Maker at the forefront, he remains a beacon for aspiring artists, proving that curiosity and cultural engagement can turn personal passions into professional triumphs.