Christine Adel

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Christine Adel ("CA") 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.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

CA : Studied and received my bachelor degree in the major Graphic Design at the German University in Cairo, Egypt

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

CA : Because I enjoy the process of creating and experimenting the most.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

CA : Chose to be one.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

CA : I mostly design, logos, illustrations and letters.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

CA : I am not a legend :)

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

CA : A good designer meets a brief target but a great designer exceeds the target & produces a design that is timeless.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

CA : A good design challenges the ordinary and adds to what was previously there in the market. It has a function and excels in the looks, too.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

CA : Good design is unique and personal, that's why people should not just use templates, but rather seek to personalize their design.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

CA : I would love to explore designing for different cultures that I never knew before.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

CA : Doing a design research & accordingly a design for a big documentary like National Geographic.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

CA : Research, observation & lots of trials.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

CA : Mohamed Samir, Nora Aly, Nadine Chahine..

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

CA : This is constantly changing really

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

CA : I personally like my experimental ancient Egyptian gods illustrations, because its visual language is extremely different than the inherited familiar illustration of pharaonic Gods & kings. I believe it has potential to be used in many different ways: jewellery, give aways..etc

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

CA : to be on the safe side I would say 2-3 weeks

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

CA : looking for inspiration and sketching

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

CA : both affect each other

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

CA : i mostly use it when I digitize

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

CA : Adobe and glyphs

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

CA : depends on the brief and my mood

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

CA : mostly looking for inspiration