Interviews with Omar Qubain and Tina Saghbini

Before coming together and setting up our very own practice, both of us had separate yet rich experiences in the field of design. We first met at Scuola Politecnica di Design where we obtained a Masters Degree in Industrial Design. During that Masters program and we had the opportunity to intern at two studios based in Milan. Omar at Total Tool and Tina at Antonio De Marco studio. Prior to that we both had various freelance experiences.

We believe having an eye for design is something you are born with. However, that does not in any way make someone a designer. One can become a designer by studying and working hard, doing multiple internships, seeking out design problems and solving them and dare we say fail a few times along the way.

Our design process is anything but linear, when creating a design we tend to jump back and forth a lot. That said, the initial phase of our process usually starts with brainstorming, researching, mind mapping and creating a well rounded mood board. The second phase includes, but is not limited to: sketching, mock up making as well as continued research. The final phase includes making the switch to digital tools, and rapid prototyping and product testing.

To put it shortly our approach is very simple and fun. We enjoy working on a new project that spark joy within its users.

The first phase is always the most fun and tantalising because this is where your imagination has no boundaries. Eventually, as with any project, difficult challenges arise which could be extremely stressful at times. However, it is all worth it when the project is realised and you get to see it with your own eyes.

Moving abroad, forced both us to come out of our shells. In a way, we became more independent. Everything that takes place in our daily lives impacts our designs, whether we are conscious of it or not.

Our dream is collaborate with well known brand and clients to create meaningful projects. Projects with the potential of creating tangible and positive change. Projects that spark joy and excitement.

Be curious.

Dream big.

Sketch. Sketch Sketch.

That is very humbling, however we believe we are still in the beginning of our journey. Therefore, we have yet to fully explore our identity and potential. A piece of advice to our fellow designers, artists and architects is to realise we are free to carve out our own unique ways of being and creating.

magic starts after two

As the saying goes “The trend is your friend”. So its important to stay up to date and keep an eye out for the latest developments in the field, be it materials and/or manufacturing technologies. However, more often than not we like to challenge the notion of trend following and break out of the mold.

If the concept has little to no explanation, then that is typically the first indicator of good design.

This is a very subjective question. A design could be considered ready when you are satisfied with the final results, however it is never truly ready. There is always room for improvement, always.

So far it is Pep. This is our first truly independent project.

Nendo, for his simple and clever concept.

We live in Milan, arguably the design capital of the world. And we feel very luck to be here; immersed in an environment and culture that celebrates and continuously pushes the limits of design.

Being of Jordanian and Lebanese descent and having had the opportunity to travel and visit many places, We have

been exposed to various cultures and have discovered many different art movements along the way.This has ultimately contributed to our increased involvement and interest in the world of art and design.

We are a team of two. Meaning we get to work with each other through any challenge that comes our way. Being in a team gives us the advantage to divide tasks and hence manage our time better.

The most important thing when working together is being on the same page.

Characteristics and personal traits that make up a good designer include: imagination, daring to be courageous, passionate, hard working and always striving to do better.

With our work we constantly aim towards realising social and environmentally sustainable designs.

This entire experience was a super positive one. Especially since we managed to get recognised from our first collaboration as after two.

Winning this award, and gaining access to a big audience comes with its challenges. But it also helped boost our confidence in our craft and and vision; fuelling our momentum to keep pushing forward.

Before coming together and setting up our very own practice, both of us had separate yet rich experiences in the field of design. We first met at Scuola Politecnica di Design where we obtained a Masters Degree in Industrial Design. During that Masters program and we had the opportunity to intern at two studios based in Milan. Omar at Total Tool and Tina at Antonio De Marco studio. Prior to that we both had various freelance experiences.

Being a designer, is greater than just a job title. it is quite literally a way of life. Practicing the principles of good design means that you will always look at things differently; from magazine, to gadgets, to furniture pieces and buildings.

It was a choice, of course. Always do what makes you happy, this is the key to success.

Currently we are working on furniture design. Eventually we would like to move onto lighting design.

Be curious.

Dream big.

Sketch. Sketch Sketch.

The degree to which details are taken care of.

If the concept has little to no explanation, then that is typically the first indicator of good design.

Good design can make our lives easier, solve problems and deliver better experiences.

Tina: Matali Crasset/ would love to design with and for her. A set of Furniture collection

Omar: Nendo/ would love to design a collection of flatware.

Great things take time.

if we tell you it wouldn't be a secret anymore..

Nendo

Castiglioni

Ettore Sottsass

Our greatest design is yet to be designed.

Expect and accept failure.

Become chefs and open our very own restaurants.

Design is a tool that is able to capture and combine beauty with functionality. It is a language that supersedes cultural and geographical differences. Depending on how it is used, design could be both devastatingly destructive or beautifully constructive. For us, we always focus on the latter.

Our entourage, friends and family.

Dreaming big and believing we can make it.

We are humbled to be considered design masters, however we do not feel we are there quiet yet.

By always keeping it simple and straight to the point. There is no right and no wrong here.

more award winning designs of course.

To bring joy and create tangible change.

Well rounded solutions that spark joy and curiosity within people.

Design has always been and will forever be a powerful, productive medium that builds better lives and thus better societies.

Producing the prototype of pep.

Pep, our first baby. Made from scratch!

We would like to see more democratisation in the industry.

Artificial intelligence. Less and less human..

Anywhere between a month and a year.

after two

sketch, sketch, sketch!

They say the trend is your friend. But sometimes as a designer it is good to think outside the box and break the rules. Each designer has their own style and way of thinking. As a designer you should be able to create whatever you want whenever you want.

Depends on the type of project at hand. Sometimes we rely a lot on technology throughout the design process, other times not so much.

Pens, pencils and paper.

Rhino, Keyshot, Photoshop InDesign Illustrator.

They're everything.

"How did they every come up with that idea?"

How can it be improved?

Well yes of course! It is easier in two.

Our teacher and design master Huub Ubbens

- the courage to create by Rollo May

- The design of everyday things by Donald Norman

Curiosity, practice and failure.

Ettore Sottsass.

We wouldn't say we are famous just yet..

Tina: light pink, the beach, green peas, spring, scrunchies for the hair, golden goose

Omar: green, under the sea, spicy mango candies, autumn, sunglasses, cos

Usually its when we find out, someone had already designed our great idea.

We make it fun!

We definitely had a strong inclination towards arts in general terms, but we cannot say it was obvious we would, one day, become designers.

The future is both exciting and scary at the same time. You never know what it has to offer. Just stay positive and hope for the best. Our dream is to become internationally recognised designers with a beautiful studio and work on exciting projects.

We were drawn to design early on in life. Through design we found our voice, a platform to express our ideas and our personal take on life. Having found each other while doing a Masters in Industrial Design in Milan, we quickly became good friends and shortly after set up our own practice; after two.

The story behind the name after two is quiet frankly a peculiar one. Coincidentally, whenever Omar and I used to meet for our little design collabs it was always after two pm. Plus the fact that we are two and together we are capable of generating two or more ideas, the name after two was a natural choice. We like to think that this lighthearted name it is also an accurate reflection of our playful design concepts. Pep is our first design baby, and it brings us so much joy that it grabbed the the Bronze A' Design Award. Hopefully it is the first of many to come.

Design is a tool that is able to capture and combine beauty with functionality. It is a language that supersedes cultural and geographical differences. Depending on how it is used, design could be both devastatingly destructive or beautifully constructive. For us, we always focus on the latter.

Playful objects and playful scenarios.

Our favourite design is simple design. Simple design is good design and good design is great design.

That’s an objective we’re still working on.

Sustainable materials, face to face meet ups and Instagram likes.

Definitely after two.

The core concept and its primary message, without one, a design is rendered useless, doesn’t matter how beautiful it is.

A healthy combination of joy and stress.

Bitter sweets feelings, raging anywhere from pride to a pinch of sadness.

Pride, because we were capable of successfully realising a design.

Sadness, because who likes goodbyes?

Right away, if the concept was able to tickle us on the inside, thats our measure for a successful design.

If the concept has little to no explanation, then that is typically the first indicator of good design.

To constantly work towards social and environmentally sustainable designs.

Artificial intelligence. A scary and exciting future that yet to be revealed.

At Cascina Cuccagna as part of fuorisalone 2018.

Our inspirations are typically a blast from the past. Brainstorming and picking each other’s minds is also a treasure cove of ideas.

We would like our design to fit anywhere anytime. We strive to create timeless designs; proposals that have the power to conjure up nostalgic joys.

Originally Omar comes from Jordan and I from Lebanon. Coming from the levant region, we have a lot cultural heritage to draw inspiration from. Both of us were lucky enough to have traveled abroad for our postgraduate eduction. Especially lucky to be based in Milan!. Needless to say living in Milan is pretty exciting for us designers. With its vibrant and active design scene, there is always something to see, do or experience. That said, living in Milan as a designer comes with it own challenges; it could be compared to trying to make it as an actor in LA.

We collaborated with several respectable companies during our Master Degree program in Milan… Lavazza, iGuzzini and Panino Giusto, just to name a few.

Companies must take their time to thoroughly go through designers portfolios. Design portfolios speak for themselves.

We usually set our own design briefs. And typically we are constantly in collaboration, but something that really help our design process is working individually. We would get together and work intensely then leave things for a few days, think of it as breathing space. This time apart allows personal ideas to naturally marinate so that the next time we meet each other, our process is richer in a sense.

For Tina its:

Her university project prototypes

Her collection of turtle lucky charms

Her drums set

The Wassily Chair by Marcel Breuer

The Mood cutlery set by Christofle

For Omar its:

The LC2 Armchair by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand

His matcha tea set

His tote bag by Abno Designs

magic starts after two

Be curious.

Dream big.

Sketch. Sketch Sketch.

Finding your deign niche and making a living out of it, could be challenging. Designers must have the courage to seek out a job that feed their soul, the kind of job that would make them want to jump out of bed in the morning.

Following Dieter Rams's ten principlesforgood design while breaking all the rest.

The ability to convey a message coherently and effectively.

Pinterest, pencils, papers and not pirated programs.

Dividing big tasks into smaller more manageable ones and taking things one step at a time. Its all about the small wins.

Depends on the deadline; could be anywhere from a day to a year.

“can you do this design for free, as a small favour?”

For both Omar and I it was quitting our separate jobs gracefully.

Ourselves! We can’t wait to get our hands on our very own peps.

We’re still figuring this out. Ask us again in a year.

Pep is currently making the jump from a concept to a physical prototype. If all goes well, we hope to start producing and selling pep within the coming year. Apart from pep we are constantly cooking up more award winning design ideas.

We come in two. And develop designs after two.

We have a few, definitely more than two.

DM us on Instagram @aftertwodesigns

Or email us at: aftertwodesigns@gmail.com