For Ismail Mustam (V.I. 1957 to 1961), getting A for art every time and winning the annual school art competition was his greatest drive. Because of his artistic skills, he was called up frequently to the H.M.'s office to sketch the maps for Dr. Lewis' geography books.

In 1961, he won the design contest for the mural for the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka and received the $1,500 prize, then a princely sum, from the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. This mural faces the V.I. and, reveals Ismail, he was inspired while designing it by a person whose name is hidden in the design!

After V.I. he worked at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka doing illustrations and book designs, and later at the MARA Handicraft Centre before going to the States to read Advertising Design. On his return he worked with Leo Burnett Advertising, Johan Design and today he runs his own shop - Ismail & Associates.

Ismail also has a work hanging in the National Art Gallery entitled "The Last Fight", depicting the duel between Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat.

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