Mohamed Abdelaziz
IDA 2022 People’s Choice Interior Design of the Year
Do you see design an expression of art?
Design may communicate art in a variety of ways, and it has long been a reliable technique for expressing art or an art movement. The difference between a painting and a design, in my opinion, is that the design itself speaks, but when we look at a painting, we can appreciate the art in the artwork. But design is tangible; whether it’s an interior or building, we can sense and interact with the design environment. We may also sense the design and form a link with it whether it is a fashion or product design.
What do you see as the future of design?
I envision the future of design as concentrating on human needs and sustainability rather than just what is visually beautiful. Humanity-centred design is a method in which designers concentrate on people’s needs as a society – with complicated, deep-rooted challenges, and rather than as individuals. Product designers and engineers may assist to greatly minimize the environmental effect of goods by changing the way they create new products, and taking the environmental impact into consideration early in the product development process. When designers collaborate with communities, target the correct issues, do systems assessments, and co-design tiny, straightforward interventions, they may co-create appropriate solutions.
Where does your motivation and inspiration from for your work come from?
My primary motivation while creating is sustainable design. Sustainable design is not a passing trend. It’s the next big thing. It’s more than just utilizing recycled materials and less plastic in packaging. It’s everything from how an electrical gadget is connected to items that are designed to endure rather than being replaced when they become outdated. I am intentionally deciding to create in ways that do not hurt the environment by including sustainable design into my profession. This entails utilizing less energy overall, as well as collaborating with suppliers that employ sustainable power and production methods.
What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities in your career/industry now?
The most major challenge is in sustainable design, in fact, the delayed adoption of the idea is the issue. There are still some people who aren’t convinced that climate change poses a significant threat or that relatively minor adjustments made throughout a sector might constitute a significant part of the solution. These people may also be skeptical that relatively minor adjustments could be a significant part of the solution. Despite this, I get the sense that things are starting to change, and the growth I’ve witnessed in recent years as more firms have stepped up their commitment to sustainability has given me a lot of reason for hope. Despite this, I do get the impression that things are beginning to move.
Is design for you a creation of an individual or a group?
Design is something that may be done on an individual basis or by a group. Some designers are able to create very remarkable works entirely on their own. On the other hand, a group design might provide a number of excellent possibilities to go above and beyond the norm. Because, in essence, rather than the ideas of a single designer, there are more designers and more individuals who are on the contributing to the project. This leads to additional difficulties that need to be solved.
What’s your creative process and what creative software do you use?
I begin by sketching, after which I convert the drawing into a two-dimensional layout, which allows me to see how the sketch as well as my ideas may function in the actual world. I use AutoCAD for the 2D designs, then I switch to 3DS Max if the project is entirely inside, and I switch to Sketch up if the passive design components of the project are larger than fifty percent of the total and I am the one who is responsible for the calculations.
How do you deal with feedback?
Before I reply to comments, I always give it some serious consideration, and the vast majority of the time I attempt to interpret it as a compliment to the job that I have done. As a designer, I am aware that it is essential for a designer to take feedbacks as a positive comment and work around it with the involved parties rather than taking the feedback as if someone is negatively judging the designer’s work. Design is a comprehensive process that involves a lot of parties.
How do you feel design has evolved over the past years and how do you see it evolving in the future?
I’ve noticed that over the years, design has become more eco-friendly and sustainable than in the past. This is likely due to the fact that issues such as global warming and the requirement to construct sustainable buildings are becoming increasingly important. As a result, architects and designers are now considering sustainability as a primary component of their work rather than an optional feature. I believe that in the future, design will place a greater emphasis on how human and environmental health are intertwined.
Tell us about a time when a client disliked your work?
When a customer dislikes the work that a designer has produced, which is something that I would think is quite typical in our profession, it can sometimes be a tremendous disappointment to the designers, especially if they have put a lot of effort into the job. I was working on the design of a private apartment in the Midtown NY area, and from the very beginning of the project, I put a lot of effort into it. As a result, the customer was impressed by how much effort I had put in. However, it turns out that the customer was unhappy with about 70% of the work, and after agreeing on the idea, he said that the concept is not as he anticipated it would be. I was really let down and did not want to continue the project, but I told myself that this is just the beginning and that I shouldn’t let myself down, so I changed my work routine and started to provide the client with less progress and take it step by step with the client to get to know his taste more, and it worked, and I’m glad to say that I designed his amazing apartment.
Is there something that you wished you had designed?
I have had the opportunity in the past to sketch an improved chair for patients who are receiving chemotherapy, and I got to interview cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy and tried to know what they are feeling and how to design a chair that is comfortable for them. And not only comfy but also has features to make them somehow not feel down when they are having the therapy. I wish I could design a chemotherapy chair. I have had the opportunity in the past to sketch an improved chair for patients who are receiving chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the customer did not have the budget to purchase the chair.
What impact has winning this ‘2022 IDA People’s Choice Interior Design of the Year Award’ had on your career/opportunities?
The fact that I won an IDA award gave me greater confidence in my abilities as a designer, and receiving an IDA award acts as a drive for me to continue developing projects that are one of a kind, successful, and have a story and a concept behind them. Not just any average good design space, since IDA is recognized all around the world, it opened up additional opportunities for me to work with the most well known design businesses.
Tell us about your definition of design?
The definition of design to me can mean a wide variety of things. However, at the core of it I believe it to be an idea or series of ideas unique to each individual person and how they execute those ideas. Whether it’s patterns, colors, textures, or even different mediums; it all must start somewhere first. One simple idea can be pushed, pulled, and rung out until something raw reveals itself. That is what design is for me.