Brooklyn Park Artist Adds Flair to Target Tech Products
Ameen Taahir, 26, spends his 9-to-5 work days doing graphic design work for the city of Brooklyn Park’s communications department.
But when he gathered his family and friends for a trip to the Crystal Target location a little over a week ago, it wasn’t to unveil a new city flier.
After they entered the store, he addressed the group of his close associates in a cluster near the store entrance.
“I’ve had to keep hush for a while,” he said. “I’m excited that [my project is] out now. And you will know what it is in a second. So let’s walk.”
Then they set off for the electronics department with Taahir leading the way.
“I was like, ‘hey, I’m excited to show off this thing I’ve been working on for a while,'” he told CCX News. “Nobody really knew what I was up to. They’re like, ‘hey, I’m going to join you, along for the ride.'”
It was a chance for the long-time artist and Perpich graduate to show off his latest designs: a newly released line of tech accessories like headphones and charging chords for Target’s Heyday collection.
As they approached an endcap in the electronics section, Taahir’s party reacted with a mixture of shock and applause.
“I think they were super excited,” he said. “A lot of people were probably caught off guard, didn’t know what was going on.”
The unveiling was fun, but also emotional, Taahir said.
“I saw my picture and my bio, and the products and it was just really, really cool to share that experience with people that I care about and love,” he said.
Ameen Taahir poses with tech accessories he designed for Target.
Tech Accessories for Target by Brooklyn Park Artist
Taahir, who also received his associate’s degree in graphic design from North Hennepin Community College, was surprised when Target asked him for original designs.
“They reached out, and they were like we really enjoy your stye, we enjoy kind of just like the vibe that you have,” Taahir said. “And I was honored to do so. I mean it’s not every day you’re getting an email from Target.”
The project took about a year to come together. Taahir’s designs can now be found on headphones, a Bluetooth speaker, a mousepad and phone cases nationwide.
His work features bright colors and is deeply personal.
“I was very much, like, into just creating worlds and building worlds so that’s kind of what this art is about for me,” he said.
The project represented a significant personal achievement for Taahir.
“It was such an awesome experience and such an inexplicable feeling,” he said. “I can’t really fully explain it.”
Taahir said the project also felt larger than himself.
“I feel like I love kind of the place where we’re at today where it’s like, I do get to see a lot more of myself in these types of spaces that I feel like we haven’t before seen and I want to continue to add to that,” he said.
