We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Marwan Mrad ("MM").
Marwan is the owner of DPI, an interior design firm based in Dubai. Since 2006, he has been originating creative, innovative, professional and luxurious interior design work to niche clients in United Arab Emirates and the MENA region. Marwan has always remained keenly adapted to today’s sophisticated tastes & requirements and committed to provide the highest quality on top of all, starting with the conceptual design, construction, until completion and handing over stages.
Marwan Mrad Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Marwan Mrad.
Marwan Mrad Design - Emirati One Luxury Car Showroom
Designer Interview of Marwan Mrad:
DI: 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?
MM : I have always wanted to be a designer since I was 11 years old.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MM : I am not the best company in Dubai for the meanwhile but I am sure that to be one of top three.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MM : 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.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MM : I enjoy working on projects such as residential villas and palaces
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MM : The most beautiful design is when the design meets functionality.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MM : My favorite are the 4 elements of life water, fire, earth and wind.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MM : 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.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MM : It is an amazing feeling of dopamine hormones rush and excitement.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MM : Enthusiasm
DI: What makes a design successful?
MM : always trying to design something new and different that can attract the people, this is what makes the design successful
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MM : The most important aspects to consider first are good architecture, proportion, Circulation and finally ambiance.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MM : 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.
DI: 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?
MM : We are in a city where culture is unconsciousness affecting and improving our design, especially that this city is embracing approximately 200 nationalities.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MM : I do not judge any company based on name and reputation only, but by team working and results.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MM : You can never select a good designer, but you can always by team work create a good designer.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MM : 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.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MM : Color scheme, furniture selection, lighting selection.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
MM : I spend my day between home and office. I always try to coordinate the time between work and family.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MM : Commitment is very important in our life, a good designer should have it and be responsible for his design.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MM : “i am a designer and also I have bills to pay“
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MM : Whenever I get the brief, I do exactly the opposite.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MM : 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.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MM : Some software skills such as 3dmax, AutoCad , Photoshop and some hand sketching skills as well.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MM : 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.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MM : We are very well known in this field in our area we are one of the fastest design.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MM : 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”.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
MM : 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.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MM : The VIP people and the businessmen who are interested in quality and creativity.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MM : 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.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MM : Before of the end of year 2022, my plan is to open a DPI branch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MM : Always, working as a team.
DI: How can people contact you?
MM : People can contact me through my mobile number.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MM : 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.