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Interview with Christine Adel |
Home > Designer Interviews > Christine Adel |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Christine Adel (CA) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Christine Adel by clicking here.
FS: 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?
CA: I studied in the faculty of Applied Arts & Sciences majoring in Graphic Design and cannot imagine my life without design. Back in high school things were not very clear though, I was too young and confused to make such a life decision.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
CA: My studio is basically my personal portfolio that consists mostly of branding, packaging, typography and some illustrations. In addition to that I started a recent career in toy/game making as I found my company together with my sister under the name Zagazoo.
FS: What is "design" for you?
CA: If we are talking about illustration or font making it is more like my yoga or meditation. If we are talking about a brief it is more of my chess or smart game. If I am being experimental than it is just my fun.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
CA: Arabic typography and lately I discovered a passion for toy design.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
CA: I enjoy my work that include character development and illustration. I love my ancient Egyptian Gods & Goddesses project. I also like Zagazoo's mythical creatures set of illustrations.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
CA: It was a children's banner for Mc Donalds, I worked on it while I was employed in FP7.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
CA: I love print especially on special materials or paper. I also love wood.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
CA: When I crack a brief, I feel smart.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
CA: I am conceptual I would say, so I would always care that the design derives from a strong concept and is backed up by research.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
CA: At the beginning of something new, I am very tensed and afraid to disappoint myself. Usually, I enjoy the rest of the process. When I approach seeing how it will turn out to be I am very critical and afraid once again.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
CA: It depends whether I like it or not. If I don't like it, I feel ashamed, but if I do, I am proud, but always feel there is room for improvement.
FS: What makes a design successful?
CA: To fulfill what it was designed for.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
CA: The brief is important, regardless of how good something looks, it should answer a brief or at least challenge the brief.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
CA: A designer should keep an open eye and observe where he/she can have an input in his society/environment and world. We are not just out there for cash, we should believe in certain causes and try to make a difference.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
CA: I think more people will contribute to design, it will not remain exclusive, but rather inclusive, where more people will have input, regardless which background they have.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
CA: I usually don't exhibit my work at least not on ground.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
CA: I believe I am mostly inspired from my homeland Egypt. We have a lot of gaps and unexplored territories as we lack lots of design solutions, too. I am encouraged to find creative solutions for the people, once I can spot a problem.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
CA: I would say I am pretty much experimental, of course this is toned down when the brief is limiting. I don't know if I have a particular style, I constantly change I think. I always start by sketching and if I have more time I use all conventional and unconventional materials to print, draw scribble...etc
FS: 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?
CA: Right now I am in the UK and I am pretty much interested in integrating parts of my cultural heritage whenever there is a chance.
FS: How do you work with companies?
CA: Usually, as a freelancer I wait till they approach me. Somehow the opposite never worked really well for me.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
CA: it is stressful sometimes to stay up to date and challenge the rules
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
CA: obeservation
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
CA: I check my calendar before I give any deadlines then I commit.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
CA: It depends, some take a week and some take two-three.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
CA: How do you get your clients?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
CA: Zagazoo, simply because it wants to add value to the children's world.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
CA: Goethe Institut, Danone, Apexos, Gazef.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
CA: I enjoy arabic typography and game design that includes illustrations or interesting graphical elements.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
CA: I want to work more closely in the toy industry and/font making
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
CA: Most of the branding projects I work alone, but since my recent startup Zagazoo, I work within a team.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
CA: There is always something in-progress. Right now I am working on an Arabic Typeface for homeschooling during quarantine.
FS: How can people contact you?
CA: Phone number or email
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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