Wan de real

Azwan Abdul Karim, also known as Wan de Real, was born in December 1977 in Jerantut, Pahang, Malaysia. He graduated from the Fakulti Senilukis dan Senireka at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sri Iskandar Perak in 2002 with a major in Fine Art, Sculpture. Subsequently, he pursued his Master's degree in Fine Art Technology at UiTM Shah Alam in 2007. Currently, he is expanding his expertise in Fine Art Studio, specifically in Interactive Transforming Sculpture (INTRANS) technology, with the goal of completing his PhD at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Tanjung Malim, Perak, in 2025.
Azwan began his career as an Art Lecturer at Baitulmal Skill Institute, Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan in 2004. In 2015, he transitioned to teaching Fine Art at the Faculty of Creative Technology and Heritage Studies at University Malaysia Kelantan, where he remains today. With over 20 years of experience in fine arts education, he focuses on contemporary artists who employ various mediums as tools for Art Fundamentals and Fine Art practice. Currently, he serves as the Head of the Faculty’s Art Fundamental Section, overseeing a special project that educates hundreds of students in immersive art fundamental cognitive theories and practices. Additionally, he has experience teaching Animation 2D and 3D and Industry Design as a part-time lecturer at institutions such as ASWARA, UNIKL, and Universiti Malaya (UM).
As a specialist in visual ideas through both manual and computerized transforming sculpture practice, Azwan uses toy action figures as a medium for creating art. He is the founder of the Malaysian Customizer and Malaysia M.A.S.K and Starcom Group, established in 2010 and 2022 respectively, aiming to unite Malaysia's customizing artists/practitioners and toy collectors. In 2007, he served as a committee member for the national animation society ANIMAS, organizing local animation events and projects. Recently, he was reappointed as an Academic Committee member for the term 2024-2025.
Azwan has been an active exhibitor and has won numerous Fine Art and Toy Customizing awards since his primary school days. Notably, he won First Prize in the Triple Threat Challenge Transformers Design Competition in the United States in 2010. Other significant accolades include the Grand Prize at the Visual Art Competition Pameran Media Seni VIII at Universiti Malaya in 2009, 2nd Place in the Art and Craft (Sculpture) National Competition (Mereka Model Kesan Bahaya Merokok) by the Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia in 2005, and 2nd Place in the Art Competition for National Day at UiTM Perak, organized by the Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar Malaysia in 1999.
His work has been exhibited and collected by esteemed institutions such as Universal Studios Singapore, Galeri Seni UPSI, UiTM, Chanseleri UM, Malaysia International Toy Fair at Mid Valley Megamall, World Skills Malaysia Exhibition at CIAST Shah Alam, Sci-Fi Convention Kuala Lumpur at Perpustakaan Dataran Merdeka, and the Creativity Art and Technology Conference and Exhibitions organized by Multimedia Development Corporation Malaysia (MDEC). His pieces are also part of various permanent private collections in the USA, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and among local private art collectors.
Awards
1. Bronze Medal Penang Inventions, Innovation and Research Design Platform (PIID 2017) UiTM Penang (Team) 2017
2. Johan Pameran Mural Projek “Silent Teachers” HUSM (UMK Team Leader) 2017
3. Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan 2017
4. Johan Pertandingan Mural Tok Bali (UMK Team Leader) 2016
5. Anugerah Pekerja Cemerlang Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (MAIWP) 2014
6. Participant for The Malaysia Book of Records, Mencanting dan Mewarna Batik Terpanjang, Himpunan Jutaan Belia Putrajaya (Hari Belia Negara) 2012
7. Transtopia ‘Masterclass Artists’ Seibertron.com, 2010.
8. 1 Place Sector70.Com “Triple Threat Challenge” World’s Transformers Figure Custom, New York, United States of America, 2010.
9. Hadiah Insentif Utama/ Grand Prize Visual Art Competition Pameran Media Seni VIII Universiti Malaya, 2009
10. Transformers Custom Of The Month (May) Sector70.com, 2009.
11.1 Place Chess Amatur Terbuka, Institut Kemahiran Baitulmal, MAIWP Kuala Lumpur, 2007.
12.2 Place for Art and Craft (Sculpture) National Competition (Mereka Model Kesan Bahaya Merokok) Sambutan Hari Tanpa Tembakau Sedunia Peringkat Kebangsaan, Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia, 2005.
13.Anugerah Dekan UiTM, 2001.
14.2 Place Art Competition for ‘42nd National Day’ UiTM Perak, Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar Malaysia, 1999
15.2 Prize Kuiz Pengguna, Peringkat SSM Negeri Pahang, Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Kuantan, Pahang, 1996.
16.1 Prize School Science Competition, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jerantut, Pahang,1996.
17.1 Prize School Math and Science Quiz Competition, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jerantut, Pahang,1994.
18.1 Prize Rekacipta/ Design Competition, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jerantut, Pahang,1992.
19.1 Prize Painting Competition, Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Kuala Mai Bharu, Kuala Krau, Pahang, 1990.
Seminars/ workshops/public talks/lectures
1. Hobby Entrepreneur: Bagaimana Menjana Pendapatan melalui Hobi, Bahagian Latihan Universiti Malaysia Kelantan untuk Bulan Latihan Kebangsaan, Kementerian Sumber Manusia, Online ZOOM (https://bit.ly/3KcdbLN) 22 Mei 2023
2. Sci-Fi Convention Kuala Lumpur :Custom Transformers Tutorial- Perpustakaan Dataran Merdeka -19 Disember 2015
3. Pameran Animasi Besut Ministry of High Education with YB Idris Jusoh: Customizing Talk Session- 4-5 April 2015
4. World Skills Malaysia Exhibition Talk – CIAST Shah Alam - 15- 16 Jun 2014
5. Comic Flick Novelty Market Talk – The Publika Damansara -31 Mei 2014
6. Our Home Our Dream Charity Event Talk - 9 Disember 2012
7. Hasbro Transformers Dark of the Moon Launching Exhibition - Organised by Hasbro and Chevrolet- Workshop Panel/ Public Talk. 07-12 June 2011
8. Malaysia International Toy Fair 2011 - Workshop Panel/ Public Talk. 09-11 September 2011
9. Malaysia International Toy Fair 2010 - Workshop Panel/ Public Talk. 24-25 July 2010
10. KREA8TIF – DIGITAL CONTENT CONFERENCE, Organised by Multimedia Developement Corporation Malaysia (MDEC), The Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur - Participant. 7-9 DECEMBER 2009
11. Creativity Art and Technology Conference, Organised by Multimedia Developement Corporation Malaysia (MDEC), Technology Park Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur - Participant. 6-7 November 2006
Exhibitions
Publications/ Research Projects
1. Interactive Transforming Sculpture: INTRANS- PhD Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris 2019-2024
2. Breaking The Forth Wall In Animation (ID: MS-002) Scopus-indexed Springer book chapter 2023 entitled “IT and Computing Advancements & Innovation Towards IR 4.0”..
3. The Nature Of Hybrid Animation In Malaysa Animation Industry - international Journal Of Modern Education ,(IJMOE) volume 5 issue 16 (March 2023) PP.12-27 DOI:10.35631/IJMOE.516002, To cite this document: Ghani, D. A., Karim, A. A., & Ibrahim, Z. (2023). The Nature of Hybrid Animation in Malaysian Animation Industry. International Journal of Modern Education, 5 (16), 12-27. DOI: 10.35631/IJMOE.516002
4. Using Stop Motion Animated Films in Education Domain, Sharifah Nur Shamira binti Syed Badrulsham, Dahlan Abdul Ghani, Azwan Abdul Karim, Journal of Positive School Psychology with ISSN 2717-7564. Author InstructionLink: https://www.journalppw.com/index.php/jpsp/authorinstructions
5. Satu Perkongsian Pengalaman- Rekaan Permainan dan Arca Buatan Tangan Azwan Abdul Karim, Prof. Madya Dr. Abdul Aziz Zali, Folio Buletin FTKW Edisi ke-4, ISSN2550-2107, 16 February 2017
6. Research In Thetrical, Dance, And Musical Aspects of Kelantan National Heritage- Mak Yong – R/R/FRG/A02.00/01200A/2015/000231
7. Silent Teacher Project, UMK-HUSM FRGS 311/PPSP/4404420, 31 December 2016
8. Evaluating The Potential Of Using 3D Software In Creating 3D Forms, Master Thesis FSSR Shah Alam, MARA University of Technology, 2006
9. Justifikasi Pengaruh Hip-Hop Dalam Budaya Remaja Malaysia, Degree Thesis FSSR Perak, MARA University of Technology, 2002
Publications Regarding Artworks
1. Kotak Kosong Bawa Azwan Jelajah Dunia: Varia Kosmo!, 16 December 2017
2. De Real Wan Transforms- Education: The Star, 29 October 2017
3. Hasil Kreatif Azwan jelajah Dunia: Media Permata Online, 21 October 2017
4. Malaysian Action Figure Creator Gaining International Recognition: Bernama, 19 October 2017
5. Hasil Kreatif Azwan Jelajah Dunia: Lifestyle &Youth :Bernama,19 October 2017
6. Transformasi Asnaf , Zero Kepada Hero: Utusan Malaysia Mega, 4 June 2015
7. Transformers Rekaan Khas Azwan: Mingguan Malaysia, 20 Januari 2013
8. Rumah Baru Untuk Mereka: Utusan Malaysia, 23 Disember 2012
9. Thinking out of the Box: The Star, 18 May 2011
10. Birth of Bugs: The Star, 21 June 2011
11. Doktor Robot: Berita Harian, 3 December 2011
12. Pengubahsuai Figura Animasi: KOSMO!, 14 November 2011
13. Hasil Kreativiti Bertaraf Dunia: KOSMO!, 14 November 2011
14. Pemilik Robot Buatan Malaysia: KOSMO!, 19 October 2011
15. Transformers Made In Malaysia: Fokus SPM, 1 Augus t2011
16. 4 Local Take Their Talents To Great Height:Transformers Toy Builder &
Customizer : Clive Magazine, 1 August 2011
17. Customed to Transform: Archieve:The Star, 28 May 2011
18. Wan de Real: Making Transformers Real: Juice Magazine, 1 September 2011
19. Interview Eksklusif: Wan de Real -Gempak Starz Magazine, 1 December 2010
20. Toys For All Ages, StarMetro, 20 August 2010
Television/ Live/ Episode Coverage
1. Episode 8th ‘Projek Bikin’ TV OKEY, RTM 2022
2. Astro Prima Astro Maya HD #The Black Hawk Down Wira Keamanan 31 Ogos 2017
3. Astro Awani – 100 Peserta Sertai Pameran Pengumpul Hobi-27 November 2016
4. Hoo Haa TV Spotlight : Malaysia International Toys Fair, 2010
5. Malaysia Hari Ini - TV3, 28 Mac 2012
6. Inovasi - RTM TV1,18 Februari 2012
7. In-Trend –RTM TV2, 30 Jun 2012