Interviews with Alma Kamal

I got a BA in graphic design at The American University in Dubai, worked for a few years with different client. Then, I moved to San Francisco to get an MFA, and am currently working on some personal projects.

I actually because a designer by coincidence. The school I wanted to attend at the time didn't offer many programs, so I ended up stumbling into the magical world of graphic design. After that, I realized that that way my calling. I am most motivated to design when I look at amazing works from the past.

It was a random choice that turned into an all-consuming passion.

I mostly design editorials, that's where my passion lies. I've worked on many different angles of design, but books and magazines remain my favorite.

I think as a designer it's very important to have strong typography skills, those are the foundation of strong design.

Typography, passion and courage. You have to not be afraid to experiment and to break the rules and see how far you can stretch your design without breaking it.

Good design is priceless, it's also very rare. Good design can either ensure a company's rise or fall, it can also facilitate an emotional connection with a brand or a campaign. This is precisely why when companies struggle they invest in millions of dollars to rebrand or why other companies, no matter how known they are, still pour millions into ads everywhere.

Piet Zwart, Alexander Rodchenko, Wim Crouwel, Alan Fletcher... etc

Perhaps a collector of vintage books.

Design is everything. There is not a single item you interact with on a daily base that wasn't designed by someone.

Research. It's important to do a thorough research in order to understand what you're dealing with, and also to make sure you don't create a design that already exists in the world.

Adobe Creative Suite, scanner, and printer. Those are the most basic tools generally needed.

Editorial design is my favorite because it's tactile, complex and can stimulate many emotions. Editorial pieces demand more of your time and attention, and that's another thing I love about it.

When I design for a topic I feel very passionate about and genuinely want to share with the world.

The inability to look away from it. You see a piece of design from a distance and it pulls you in, makes you want to study it and take a longer look at all its facets.

Typography is the first and most important tool for me. When typography is poor I immediately lose interest in the piece no matter how great the other aspects of the piece are.

I think designers must choose to work on projects that reflect their values as people. I wouldn't want to use my skill to promote a product I don't personally believe in or think is harmful in any way.

Currently, it feels like design is mostly being steered towards advertising. Strong design comes from individuals or personal projects, and not from big companies. Very few studios refuse to compromise on the quality of design to appease their clients.

It comes from the past. I'm very attracted to the beginnings of graphic design like codices. Because design was such a novelty back then, so much love, care and skill was put into it and even though that was hundreds of years ago, many of those designs are extremely modern and cutting-edge.

Scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram, finding an amazing vintage graphic design book, then jumping through hoops trying to find a copy for purchase online.

Designing work I, myself, am proud of. There are times when you have to design something for a client in a specific way and they love the work, but you don't... That's the worst part for me.

I believe typography is the most important and complex tool in the graphic design world.

It varies greatly depending on the subject, client, your connection with the piece. I've had projects that I struggled mentally with and others that came out so naturally and smoothly I barely had to think while working on them.

People are always asking me 'what is design?' It's funny, we're surrounded by design everywhere we look, but most people have no idea what design really is beyond a logo or a business card.

Editorial, because there are so many pieces that need to be put together in a cohesive and specific way. It’s an immensely fun and complex process.

I'm currently working on a book documenting my personal journey with spiritual growth.

I work alone, but my partner is an illustrator as well as a designer and I'm always pushing her to participate in my projects.

Through my website www.alma-kamal.com