Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Hamda Al Naimi ("HAN") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.
HAN : I'm a multidisciplinary graphic designer who desires to contribute positively to the world through design. I've joined various design positions such as creative studios, tech companies, and non-profit organizations. As for my education, I' am a BFA alumna from the American University in Dubai and an MFA graduate from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. My work has been recognized by Communication Arts, Indigo Awards, Print, IDA design awards, and DNA Paris. In addition, my projects have been featured in Packaging of the world, Women of Graphic Design, and Print. I served as a judge for various competitions, a select few are Creative Communication Award, Stevie Awards Middle East & North Africa, and Spark Awards, as well as being a member of The Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA).
HAN : The power of visuals! When I was a kid, I had trouble understanding the lessons that were given to me in school. Words and numbers did not make sense to my little brain, but looking at a visual or a graph or an image made more sense. So, really being a designer comes from that little girl who wanted to share her ideas and understanding through a simple visual language.
HAN : I chose to become one, I was into the arts as a kid because it helped me navigate through the world. Soon, design took over because it does exactly that... it helps us navigate visual problems and present them in the simplest way possible.
HAN : I design for multifaceted clients, mostly in the graphic design realm and sometimes illustrations. I'm happy with the clients that I've worked with, and would love to design more for projects that serve a bigger purpose. Such as, women's rights, lgbtq, healthcare, sustainability... etc.
HAN : Clients work may sometimes come with NDAs and you may not always be able to share them with the world. So, do work on your own projects when you can and promote them.. you never know where they may lead you.
HAN : People can learn to design, and with effort and skills, you can become GREAT at what you do. But, what makes a designer great is not just the design, but who you are as a person too. So, be honest and be kind!
HAN : First question is always, Does the design solve the problem it was presented with? and when it does, you can then get into the nitty gritty of design principles and see where it stands.
HAN : Believing in yourself
HAN : Many! Michael Schwab, Nadine Chahine, Paula Scher...
HAN : It's hard to say, I guess as designers we continue evolving and we always get excited about the next thing. If I had to pick, I'd say I enjoyed working on projects that made a client smile or get excited. That's when you know... your work here is done!
HAN : Continue learning and never stop!
HAN : Probably a painter.
HAN : Art and design connects people through a multilayered language that breaks cultural and societal barriers.
HAN : As a designer I took myself to where I wanted to go and I believe I was very lucky with the people around me. I had and continue to have supporters and genuine people in my life.
HAN : To be okay with making mistakes, to see them as opportunities and not obstacles.
HAN : Not being able to be authentically myself and voicing out my opinion. But, with time I learned that being your authentic self is very vital and sharing your opinions can help others with their project.
HAN : By sharing their process, the mistakes and how they got to their final design.
HAN : To educate others about the importance of design consciously. I believe any project can serve a purpose and be socially or enviromentally responsible. It’s essential for designers to remember the intention behind their design and its place in the world, perhaps by asking questions like: are we designing for inclusion, encouraging confidence and courage, recreating social norms or are we utilizing environmental-friendly materials?
HAN : Like I said, it's about thinking of each project on its own. It’s essential for designers to remember the intention behind their design and its place in the world and what are they really designing for and how can we as designers, change the narrative.
HAN : I'm working on a conceptual typeface at the moment.
HAN : Individuality, less cut and paste, and less trendy. Design shouldn't be just trendy... it should say something, it should serve a purpose, and maybe even timeless.
HAN : I see it going more and more into the digital realm but I do hope that print design is going to stay alive, there is something really special in print.
HAN : To advocate for good design, enrich humanity and be friendly to the environment.
HAN : Alot of Adobe indesign and illustrator.
HAN : I love working with different people, there is no ideal design partner really. You get to learn alot from meeting different designers and working with others.
HAN : I did learn a lot during my career but the best skills I've developed were the ones I've learned on my own. I usually see a cool design thing, get curious about the process and then try to figure it out on my own or learn about it.
HAN : Paul Rand and I'd ask him how did he make simple things become BIG things.
HAN : My favorite color is Pink, my favorite place is Oahu, season is the Spring, a thing would be my Laptop, and I don't have a favorite brand.
HAN : Mispronunciation haha, I remember saying "Arjaives" for Archives at my first job. When the other designer corrected me, I thought I was being pranked and continued to say "Arjaives" until I looked up the correct pronunciation later that day and was proven wrong; it was indeed "Archives."
HAN : That smell of a nice cup of coffee and a clean table with my notebook and a pencil ready.
HAN : It's hard to tell... but I do hope that things are going to be good.
© 2020 Design Legends - All Rights Reserved | Impressum
Design Legends platform highlights valuable insights from the best designers from across the globe; a great resource for all designers to learn, reflect and think about good design and how good design helps create value for the society.
Design Legends website was created by DesignPRWire and A' Design Award to promote truly great designers, outstanding architects and inspirational artists that contribute to the development and advancement of society with their outstanding works.