Interview with Andre Eid

"Andre Eid Design" is a solo practice. It was established in 2000 and is backed by 30 years of experience in the field of interior, furniture, and industrial design, as well as landscaping.

The "design' defines the beauty of the Art by giving shape to our thoughts and emotions. It reflects a flashback, part of childhood, memories, culture, patrimony, communication, and self-expression, basically the personality of the designer. Design has been my word, my voice, my expression with which I communicate my Art to others; it is my window to the world.

What I like designing the most is furniture.

The Trillium chair is my favorite design, and for this reason I decided to nominate it for the A'Design Award.

I designed an exhibition stand for Ford Motor Company.

I very much enjoy working with stainless steel because it is elegant and flexible.

I have no specific time for being creative. Ideas might come up anytime and while I am doing anything.

I always try to find elegance within simplicity.

Joy is the best word to describe my emotions when I'm designing.

I feel ecstatic when I'm able to bring something I envisioned to life for others to enjoy.

I believe a triad defines a successful design, and that is: elegant, simple, and practical.

I first consider beauty and practicality.

In addition to creating beautiful designs, the designer has to be cognizant of the environmental impact and try to integrate recyclable material in his pieces.

I believe we will see integration of digital and other new technologies in the design world.

Never had an exhibition and this is not a priority for me in the near future.

My inspiration comes from simple encounters of daily living.

My creations are of a modern minimalist style. In nature, I am seduced by simplicity and light forms, these qualities of towing become the characteristics of my design. Every time I create a new design I think of a new option that can be used for multi functions.

I live in Lebanon, a culturally diverse country. This cultural heritage certainly affects my designs, to a certain extent. However, at the same time I am open and exposed to the outside world, which limits the influence of my own country.

I work with companies as a freelancer.

My suggestion for companies is to work with independent designers as much as possible. If a designer is hired by a company, he should be allowed a great deal of autonomy to allow him to thrive and show his creativity. Certainly, the company and the designer should share the same philosophy in order to have a successful relationship.

I got my inspiration from the trillium flower ornament. As an interior designer, I wanted to use the shape of this ornament to a relaxing and multi-functional chair in a modern ambiance. Creating the mechanism of this chair was a real challenge that I managed to overcome and this elegant chair became a reality.

The first prototype design was initiated in 2017 and went through many modifications to obtain the durability and the delicacy. The final prototype was finished in December 2018. At this time my study focused on how we can have different materials for example, stainless steel instead of aluminum in the hidden parts to decrease weight and the possibility to be dismantled into pieces and then reassembled, in order to gain additional space when being exported.

Chairs, sofas, bedrooms, coffee tables, TV vitrine.

Normally, I start my day at school of arts as a professor specializing in arts, decoration and graphics. I also work as an interior architecture consultant in a landscape and architecture firm.
At the end of the day, I focus on my creations.
I should also mention that my family and my children are the most important part of my life.

Young designers should pursue new ideas and develop new lines of products.

As a designer, you get the opportunity to enjoy innovation, creativity, and satisfaction from making people happy. Unfortunately, the process is not always easy, and the difficulty or even inability to reach your target clientele can be frustrating.

Innovative, aesthetic, long lasting, great finishing.

He must be a creative person, with a refined taste and good vision.

I use AutoCAD, 3D Max, SketchUp, and photoshop.

When inspiring my drawing I had no problem managing my time. But the worst time was when I started to run the model and execute my drawing with the craftsman.

It takes around 1 to 1 1/2 years.

Where do you find the inspiration for this design?

My long experience as an interior designer is the most important work. This can give me more experience how to master my design and to combine the use of materials.

I collaborate with a landscape and architectural firm for the following Clients & Projects:
CULTURE HOTEL - Qatar (Frank Gehry)L; BEEAH PRJECT – SHARJA (ZAHA HADID); SHEIKH FAISAL PALACE – KSA; SHEIKH HAMAD BIN SUHAIM AL THANI, Doha – Qatar; KING ABDALLAH II HOUSE OF CULTURE AND ARTS – Jordan; MOVENPICK HOTEL - Saudi Arabia; BANK AUDI - Beirut.

The furniture design is the work that I appreciate the most because I am in direct contact with each piece and it will be part of my daily life. I can fill in every detail.

Create new furniture design as well as multifunctional chairs.
Seeking for investors and new markets.

I work by myself.

Yes, I have a new multifunctional chair under process.
Maybe I'll join a new contest/competition later.

Andre Eid Design, Beirut, Lebanon.
Phone: 961-3-601302.
Email: andreeiddesign@gmail.com
andarahou@gmail.com

No, thank you.