Marwan Mrad

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Marwan Mrad ("MM") 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?

MM : I have studied in Usek University in Lebanon

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

MM : I could never believe that I can do any work other than being a designer

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

MM : Since I was 11 years I wish to be a Designer.

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

MM : Palaces and Residentials

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

MM : they should have patient and ambitious and always know how to attract each client.

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

MM : We should not invest only in good design we can invest in anything for something can be better.

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

MM : The greatest project in my life when I was in university, I designed a horse it was made fully by metal wire. It teach me how to be patient to get the best results.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

MM : Create a challenge for myself, this is what will make me a better designer

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

MM : Wine seller in my home country.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

MM : My Wife, she was my biggest supporter. Behind every successful man a great women.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MM : Criticism, until I get the target results.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

MM : A women can deliver 1 baby in months, but the people expects me to deliver 9 babies in one months!

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

MM : There is one thing I would like to happen in UAE, which is to have a judge who can judge who are the designers that are eligible to work in the industry and who are not, as the big competition in the market with unprofessionalism.

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

MM : We are very well known in these field at these area that we are one of the fastest design V quality in terms of submission.

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

MM : On my way to the office, the ideas started to scramble in my mind, I share it with my team by giving them a brief so they can start the design.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MM : “In every project I consider that this is my first project”

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

MM : Trends can dies in very short time but good design can last forever.

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

MM : It is not considered a successful design unless it is using all resources available in our day, therefore technology is a mean that is supposed to eases reaching the final result in your design in some cases, other times technology is a functional part in your design such as using the Hologram in our design in Emirati One Project.

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

MM : Also I should mention that our most important tool especially while starting the concept of the project is hand sketching.

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

MM : All items mentioned above are the design itself not only a role. The combination of the three together is makes the design.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

MM : First of all I appreciate good designs and ideas, I never impressed from new designs there is so many things I see it but it’s already Déjà vu.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

MM : My ideal design partner is our DPI architect Humam Ibrahim, I believe 100% with co-design and I’ll be happy to collaborate with designers from all across the world to bring new and more ideas to Dubai.

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

MM : The book that had the most effect on my design is “Together is Better”.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

MM : Everything in our life need patient & Ambition.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

MM : My favorite color is black, Place is Tuscani , Food is all kinds of Seafood, all Seasons exept the season that I get allergy & Asthma, my favorite furniture brand is Turri & Clothes is Armani, and my favorite thing is ACHIEVEMENT.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

MM : One day I was with my designer and client visiting Hacker kitchen and the client saw an ice bucket she asked me if it’s possible to put a marble cover and how, I told her yes I can I never say no, but only god knows the way.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

MM : After thousand years from now I will be enjoying the cemetery that I have designed in year 2000, inspired by the quotes of Gibran Khalil Gibran, a Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist, also considered a philosopher.