Innovation Design Studio

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Innovation Design Studio ("IDS") 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?

IDS : Architecture Background from El Sherouk Academy, Cairo, Egypt.

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

IDS : As soon as I started drawing I knew I wanted to become a designer, someone that makes a visual impact on people.

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

IDS : No, I wasn't forced in the contrary it's my personal choice to become a designer.

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

IDS : We design lifestyle, we design destinations and user experience. We would like to focus more on mixed-use projects that have different function that would blend different users experiences.

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

IDS : My suggestions is to have the most exposure they could get, to observe everything around them, to dedicate their time and effort to what they love, and always always, design with a concept base.

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

IDS : The great designer shall have enough understanding of the client requirements, and futuristic perspective.

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

IDS : A really good design should be considering the well-being of the user.

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

IDS : The value of the good design is how it impresses the user visually, physically and mentally. Everyone has to invest in good designs to rank their products reaching to the optimum business model.

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

IDS : I would love to design public buildings/spaces for my country, Egypt, considering our culture and heritage.

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

IDS : A vertical city.

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

IDS : Understanding the design brief, developing and enhancing the design along the project timeline.

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

IDS : Riccardo Legorreta, Philip Starck, OMA

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

IDS : We love all the designs done by Gensler Architects. They usually feed their designs by on-ground researchers.

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

IDS : So far our greatest design is The Ark Business district. it considers the well-being of the user and the journey they are going to have in their daily life.

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

IDS : Being flexible, open minded and have enough Communication and presentation skills.

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

IDS : I don't see myself anything else but designer, even if I hadn't become an architect I would have become a product designer.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

IDS : Design is life... creating the experience and vibes.

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

IDS : I wouldn't have gone all this way without my team and the support of my family.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

IDS : My background and work experience in different categories within architecture starting by the academic field passing through consultancy offices and real estate developers which gave me a full perspective to establish Innovation Design Studio

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

IDS : At first it wasn't easy to reach out to the A class developers in Egypt but now we sustain working with our clients for many years in different projects. Now that we are well established the clients are the ones targeting to work with us based on our portfolio.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

IDS : A good design speaks for itself, it doesn't really need the artist to present it specially if it has a strong concept base and clarified with a design concept diagrams.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

IDS : My future plan is to expand the design firm world wide and we are open for international joint venture.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

IDS : To have an impact on peoples lives and find my designs realized and lifting the well-being of their users.

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

IDS : people would expect great designs that would give them a pleasant experience that lifts-up their spirit while observing/living within the project.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

IDS : By combining creativity and knowledge of design principles, designers have the power to create meaningful solutions for social issues that can help make a lasting impact on society.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

IDS : We're working now on a coastal destination in Makadi Heights, We love the project as the main concept is to provide a good view along with a pleasant experience during the usage of the house spaces and to blur the boundaries between indoor spaces and outdoor living through out the daily activities.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

IDS : The Ledge Flair in Makadi Heights - a coastal single and multiple family destination - is the most satisfying project we worked on in terms of openness, blurring the boundaries between indoor spaces and outdoor living through out the daily activities.

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

IDS : I hope to see the people honoring the design industry and designers as it's a very demanding field that requires a non-stop mental effort.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

IDS : The design field should utilize the most updated technologies during the design process.

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

IDS : It really depends on the project scale, size and the client timeline.

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

IDS : We start by understanding the client brief and requirements, study and analyze the piece of land, the constrains and opportunities and start the journey of finding a unique concept.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

IDS : "Wabi Sabi" is naturalness; it's about things in their natural, most authentic state.

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

IDS : Of course the designs are setting the trends! The trend is the reward of an excellent design.

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

IDS : Technology is just a helping tool, but still the design process always start with a sketches and mental practice.

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

IDS : AutoCad, Revit, Photoshop and InDesign, sketchUp and 3D max.

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

IDS : Colors and materials have a great impact on the design, affecting the ambient and vibes of the project. It differs based on the project location and function. in some projects a specific finish material is considered the hero within the project; it's what gives the project a signature.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

IDS : The question we're always looking for is "Who is the designer?"

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

IDS : It motivates me for the next challenge to explore new ideas and concepts.

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

IDS : I already have a partner "Alaa Abdel Hamid" and I definitely find him the ideal design partner. Of course we believe in co-design as our visions complement each other's.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

IDS : There's no specific group of people influencing my work but the different people I interact with in my daily life are the most inspiring my designs.

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

IDS : Based on the quick pace of our lifestyle nowadays I prefer to read articles and informative newsletters than reading books.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

IDS : Developing our design skills by reading international articles related to design issues and trends, learning new technologies and I always focus on developing my interpersonal skills.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

IDS : I would have loved to meet Mies Van de Rohe and discuss the spark of modernism.

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

IDS : First of all I want to express how I'm honored to be awarded and recognized by prestigious awards. I feel more responsible for creating special designs for the society which is challenging and raise up my standard of a great design.

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

IDS : My favorite color is black. My favorite place is the Mediterranean coast. I love Oriental food. Favorite season is definitely summer. My favorite thing is Architecture and buildings. My favorite brand is Rolex

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

IDS : Innovation Design Studio environment is based on a family atmosphere, so some of the employees Brin their kids to the office enjoying the design spirit within the office and everyone around are being very friendly with them by giving them toys, and colors to scribble and draw which build the design sense inside them.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

IDS : I start my day by jogging early morning, then meet the team to socialize and discuss the design business industry, then brainstorm over our projects. I work from 6 to 8 hours a day, then go back home to spend time with my small family which is the main delight of the day.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

IDS : As a child I always loved crafts and building physical models, coloring and using simple materials for crafting.

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

IDS : I believe people will be able to move to other places within the spaces, outside our planet. The way of living will be totally different with different aspects that we don't know yet.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

IDS : I love design, I believe that every single aspect in life needs to be designed and planned.