Interviewe mat Rania Elkalla

I am a product / graphic designer but I would like to consider myself as an integrated designer since I always merge between different disciplines. I am born and raised in Cairo in Egypt in 1990. In 2012, graduated with high honor degree from the German University in Cairo with a Bachelor Degree of Applied Sciences and Art, Product Design as a major. I finished my last year at KISD, Köln international school of design. I accomplished my master project in Berlin at the Technische Universität Berlin (TUB) and in the German university in Cairo (GUC). Since I was a kid I was always interested into art and design in general. I found great interest in experimenting with materials and creating things that meaningful for users. I tend to express myself through combing patterns and forms.

When you design something that reaches users satisfaction and be part of their everyday lives or placed in their homes.

I became a designer because I love designing things that are intended to create an experience that is meaningful and delightful to users of each product and not only to provide a basic function.

It was my own choice

I design mostly furniture, light units and home accessories. I wish to design more industrial products.

Well, I do not consider my self as a design legend, I am a 26 years old designer but based on the experience I have I advise every designer to know that creativity comes from trials and exploration of other fields. It’s all about having a curiosity to experiment new things and not just to limit yourself to the knowledge you have gained through your field. It is not an easy task to bridge the gap in information and techniques. What matters is the process of finding solutions that are meaningful to people, that enable new understandings, inspire and create positive impact in society and in our own daily lives. Furthermore, focus not only on objects and installations but also on the creative process of how it is done.

When it comes to any design, function and quality should be as important as ethical sourcing and production. I believe that all types of designs are incorporated with each other and the designer has to be flexible, risk taker, observes well and allows different types of design and merge between them.

A good design could refresh a brand or address lots of people and offer them a new solution. It should be meaningful and bring new value to the audience.

Set of light units and stools for Kartell in Italy or design seating for Fatboy the dutch brand.

Dedication and passion to work

Formafantasma, Marcel Wanders, Patricia Urquiola, Tom Dixon, Dieter Rams.

professional dancer or a performer

Design is planning and a whole process which you go through. I believe everything in this world is designed or planned in a way. It is the most elaborate way to express yourself and communicate with people.

My parents and my two sisters.

Having a problem to solve or a new concept to offer. Concentrate on research, ideation, design and how you present your work and the quality is very important.

The main aim is to keep on improving, present the best of my self and most authentic version of who I am. Create designs which are meaningful and beneficial to users.

In our profession, it’s very important to work on material research projects. Material science only provides us with a part of the puzzle, but also demonstrates the importance of understanding all perspectives. In the end I think designers should initiate more collaboration and it is their responsibility to speak both languages. Creativity comes from trials and exploration of other fields. It’s all about having a curiosity to experiment new things and not just to limit yourself to the knowledge you have gained through your field. It is not an easy task to bridge the gap in information and techniques. What matters is the process of finding solutions that are meaningful to people, that enable new understandings, inspire and create positive impact in society and in our own daily lives. Furthermore, focus not only on objects and installations but also on the creative process of how it is done.

Progress = Happiness

It depends on the project, I tend to combine between technology and craftsmanship.

looking at design through the lens of materials is always a fascinating place to see updates and new innovations, moreover because the world and the connection we have with materials is going through an astonishing change, driven by the two main subjects of desire for material stories and a need to find sustainable solutions. Adding colors can give vibrant elements to your design and there must be a purpose for adding them.

I try to stay informed on the latest trends in the industry. I try to attend design conferences, workshops and international fairs. I read a lot about other designer work and experiences, always try to update my knowledge.

I won't call my self as famous, It is a great honor and privilege to be granted the awards I have and it definitely helped me to engage with more people.

I love Black but black is not considered as a color. I love dark red.

Place: Greece

Season: Summer

Thing: iphone

Brand: Chanel

I am a product / graphic designer but I would like to consider myself as an integrated designer since I always merge between different disciplines. I am born and raised in Cairo in Egypt in 1990. In 2012, graduated with high honor degree from the German University in Cairo “GUC” with a Bachelor Degree of Applied Sciences and Art, Product Design as a major. I finished my last year at KISD, Köln international school of design. I accomplished my master project in Berlin at the Technische Universität Berlin (TUB) and partially in the German university in Cairo (GUC). Since I was a kid I was always interested into art and design in general. I found great interest in experimenting and creating things with my hands. I tend to express myself through combing patterns and forms.

Shell Homage studio experiments with unusual materials that appear to be quite different in properties, behavior, and composition as eggshells, cacao shells and the outer shells of nuts, unusual applications and products are designed. The resulted biodegradable composites are applied in creating a wide range of products that not only meet the functional requirements but also inspires a sense of emotions and intellectual curiosities to consumers. It’s a new way to look at “shells”, reveal its personal homage. Shell Homage studio offers designed products that are intended to create an experience that is meaningful and delightful to users of each product and not only to provide a basic function.

Design is planning and a whole process which you go through. I believe everything in this world is designed or planned in a way. It is the most elaborate way to express yourself and communicate with people.

There is not one specific thing that I like to design. I work on different projects and what’s interesting about my career that every project has its own scenario or theme that you go through. Each project has its own experience.

There are a lot, it's hard to mention one.

A chair inspired from the Kufi calligraphy.

I like to create my own materials and to experiment with natural fillers or anything coming from food waste industry. I tend to combine between technology and craftsmanship, bridge between craft, industry.

It depends on the circumstances and the outcome.

Factors I always take into consideration are functionality, simplicity, aesthetic and cost. Moreover, to bridge between craft, industry, object and user, give impressions and interact with users.

It depends on the project I am working on but I am always passionate about what I do.

It's always indescribable feeling when you realize the transformation of your idea/concept from paper to 3D rendered file to a tangible physical object. It always depends on the audience feedback and comments.

User and designer satisfaction and if the design is filling its purpose and easing the life of the user.

Functionality, concept, simplicity, impression, innovation, is it needed.

We need to work with nature rather than against it, using its best methods for furthering production not just of materials but of end products. To reach this point, we need to overcome certain presumptions about what our products should look like. We need to bring together some newer production methods, and materials that shows promising substitutions and makes us rethink about how to make things and what they should be made of.

In our profession, it’s very important to work on material research projects. Material science only provides us with a part of the puzzle, but also demonstrates the importance of understanding all perspectives. In the end I think designers should initiate more collaboration and it is their responsibility to speak both languages. Creativity comes from trials and exploration of other fields. It’s all about having a curiosity to experiment new things and not just to limit yourself to the knowledge you have gained through your field. It is not an easy task to bridge the gap in information and techniques. What matters is the process of finding solutions that are meaningful to people, that enable new understandings, inspire and create positive impact in society and in our own daily lives. Furthermore, focus not only on objects and installations but also on the creative process of how it is done.

Selected as a winner in Design + Industry competition 4 & Egypt Design HUB and exhibited my work at Furnex 2017. Having Giulio Cappellini and Prof. Luca Fois as part of the Jury members. The exhibition was in Cairo, Egypt. My next exhibition is not yet decided.

It's not something specific to mention, sometimes random spontaneous details inspires me.

My designs tend to be eclectic, the good thing about eclectic style that it is flexible and allow you to encompasses a variety of periods and styles and is brought together through the use of different colors, textures, characters and finishes.

I live in Cairo in Egypt. Cairo or Al-Qahira a city whose name means both victorious or the oppressor. It is really hard to describe life in Cairo. It’s an insane, diverse, festive, dynamic, chaotic, surprising and one can only begin to understand it by walking down its streets but it’s very inspiring and definitely affects my design in a positive way.

It depends on the project type.

To hire people with various skills, eager to learn and improve and can fit well with the company environment and the rest of the team. Skills can always improve and be attained but to have a good communication with the rest of the team is very important. Designers portfolio is the most important thing for companies to select them.

Having a problem to solve or a new concept to offer. Concentrate on research, ideation, design and how you present your work is very important. Designers should always remember the word “FUN” that exists in Function. I tend to design things with humor and interaction with users.

Bialetti moka express, macbook pro, evian water glass bottle special edition, SS2419 black & white BOOK PUCKER UP BUTTERCUP WALLPAPER BY YORK

Try to get the best out of my day, do something beneficial and be productive as much as I can.

Work hard and be passionate about what you do. "Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety nine percent perspiration." Thomas Alva Edison

The positive thing that it always challenging the mind and requires creativity, not every project is the same. No matter how experienced you are, you always learn through the process and meet new people along the way whether clients, manufactures or suppliers. In addition, working in a team is most of the times great and rewarding. A negative thing is that sometimes it is not well paid.

Designers and user’s gratification.

When it comes to any design, function and quality should be as important as ethical sourcing and production. I believe that all types of designs are incorporated with each other and the designer has to be flexible, risk taker, observes well and allows different types of design and merge between them.

Sketching, rhino or auto cad program, plus I have my own material library for collecting any interesting sample or material I found interesting and could be used.

Trying to give my work the needed priority.

It depends on the project or the client.

All my previous jobs have given me some experience and I learned something new from them.

My designs are mostly eclectic, derived from different cultures and styles. I love working with unusual materials and to experiment in labs.

it depends on the cooperation and the project.

Mobile number: +4915776679776 / +202 01157761141

E-mail Address: rania.elkalla@hotmail.com