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Marwan Mrad

United Arab EmiratesInterior

Interviews with Marwan Mrad

Read the interviews with Marwan Mrad: understand their philosophy, creative process and award-winning work.

Designer Profile

Design Interview

Emirati One Luxury Car Showroom · 19 questions

The main principle is making the best use out of the showroom spaces as per client’s requirements and allocated area, yet giving a modern environment that indicates type of items displayed.

What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

The main principle is making the best use out of the showroom spaces as per client’s requirements and allocated area, yet giving a modern environment that indicates type of items displayed.

What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

Giving a futuristic look yet make the showroom blend with the surrounding environment

What are your future plans for this award winning design?

Executing as per the design as we are doing in the current time.

How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

The most important phase of designing which is planning and working on the layout took almost two weeks while discussing with client also, to be followed by two more weeks for working on the visualizing and choosing materials and textures.

Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

Each and every design style follows some standards yet, no space can look the same even if designed as per the same style. The showroom boundaries and shape itself gives it a unique look supported by our black and white curvy lines theme to give the modern style, yet a distinct feel.

Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

We have no intention of selling the project as we aim to do even more outstanding projects and keep competing on the fast track of worldwide interior design domain.

What made you design this particular type of work?

A good designer is always up and ready for new experiences and challenges. It is enough for him to understand the philosophy of human activities and needs which enable him to design all kinds of functions, so no particular project function only is to be designed but it is a sensible progress in its earliest phases.

Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

It is good to stay always up to date with all is ongoing worldwide in design field.

Instagram, Behance, and Pinterest websites may be good visual libraries to keep your mind always fresh, but life experiences are definitely your best teacher especially when you are living in Dubai, city of innovation and modernism.

Who is the target customer for his design?

Mostly the clients looking for extraordinary and creative experiences, also investors who have futuristic ambitions and ideas.

How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

Emirati One; It defines the location of showroom and nationalism of owners as (Emirati) and defines the elite character as (one)

Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

Some software skills like: 3ds max- AutoCad- Photoshop and some hand sketching skills as well.

What is the most unique aspect of your design?

Our most unique aspect of the design comparing to the main is the Shape as the shapes of lines we used are the most important determinants.

Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

No collaboration with another party was needed regarding design part as DPI design team consists of a group of hardworking creative architects and interior designers, yet we cooperated with Bluerhine Company for technical details regarding the Hologram technology and the screens visuals.

What is the role of technology in this particular design?

Automation in such a project is one of the most important techniques used in the showroom as it eases the control of certain kind of lights to keep focus on some displays for example.

Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

Architectural researches about space were mostly done in addition to some studies about shapes, colors, textures effect in interior spaces to accomplish the final goal.

What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

Main challenge was the hard and unorganized shape of the showroom itself in addition to fitting certain number of cars as per client requirements within a limited area.

How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

We were sure about creativity level of our design as we heard about the competition, we were so excited to know we will be competing with the most creative minds around the world.

What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

Each project comes with a new lesson, new customer mindset and requirements, in such projects we are glad to deal with a space in a crowded area with an irregular shape and some out of the box ideas.

Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

Would like to appreciate the proficiency and quality of questions.

Design Legend Interview

27 questions

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

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

I have studied in Usek University in Lebanon

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

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

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

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

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

Palaces and Residentials

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?

Wine seller in my home country.

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

My Wife, she was my biggest supporter.

Behind every successful man a great women.

What helped you to become a great designer?

Criticism, until I get the target results.

What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

What is your life motto as a designer?

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

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

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

What is the role of technology when you design?

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Everything in our life need patient & Ambition.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Designer Interview

33 questions

I am not the best company in Dubai for the meanwhile but I am sure that to be one of top three.

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?

I have always wanted to be a designer since I was 11 years old.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

I am not the best company in Dubai for the meanwhile but I am sure that to be one of top three.

What is "design" for you?

There is no limit for a design, it’s always subject to comparative. To make a design his value should be strong and easy to use and practical for the human being.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

I enjoy working on projects such as residential villas and palaces

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

The most beautiful design is when the design meets functionality.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

My favorite are the 4 elements of life water, fire, earth and wind.

Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

I always believe a good layout makes a good design, of course by saying a good design I mean circulation, proportion and function. Not to forget that the design must be designed for human beings.

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

It is an amazing feeling of dopamine hormones rush and excitement.

What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

Enthusiasm

What makes a design successful?

always trying to design something new and different that can attract the people, this is what makes the design successful

When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

The most important aspects to consider first are good architecture, proportion, Circulation and finally ambiance.

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

It comes from the surrounding, from the entire community I live in, it makes my inspiration becomes higher, which means taking ideas from different nationalities and cultures.

Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?

We are in a city where culture is unconsciousness affecting and improving our design, especially that this city is embracing approximately 200 nationalities.

How do you work with companies?

I do not judge any company based on name and reputation only, but by team working and results.

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

You can never select a good designer, but you can always by team work create a good designer.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

It starts by giving a brief, then explaining to my team so we can hit the best design in the short period, which I believe this is the fastest process.

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

Color scheme, furniture selection, lighting selection.

Can you describe a day in your life?

I spend my day between home and office. I always try to coordinate the time between work and family.

Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

Commitment is very important in our life, a good designer should have it and be responsible for his design.

From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

“i am a designer and also I have bills to pay“

What is your "golden rule" in design?

Whenever I get the brief, I do exactly the opposite.

What skills are most important for a designer?

The most skills important for any designer is not to be a good designer, is to be have the skill of reading between the lines.

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

Some software skills such as 3dmax, AutoCad , Photoshop and some hand sketching skills as well.

Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

I don’t work a lot since four years ago, I work more smart and enjoying my day routine, that’s mean my time management is by nature not by paper work.

How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

We are very well known in this field in our area we are one of the fastest design.

What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

The most frequently asked question which I received from the clients is “Why you can’t complete the work faster than the actual time for the work”.

What was your most important job experience?

The most important job I did, was design and execution the events that included concerts and all other works that was directly touch with the audience.

Who are some of your clients?

The VIP people and the businessmen who are interested in quality and creativity.

What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

Since five years ago, I enjoy working on projects such as residential villas and palaces that l learn a lot from them because there is a lot of experiences to directly received by clients and their requirements.

What are your future plans? What is next for you?

Before of the end of year 2022, my plan is to open a DPI branch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

Always, working as a team.

How can people contact you?

People can contact me through my mobile number.

Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

Every person who wants to succeed in a design whatever if he’s working in a company or as a freelancer, he should always work with enjoyment and the money will come later.

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The design interview data shown in our design interview page with Marwan Mrad regarding Emirati One Luxury Car Showroom comes from the Design Interviews platform, where leading designers, architects and brands are interviewed regarding their award-winning designs, products and projects.