We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Salva abed kahnamouei ("SAK").
Salva Abed initially studied interior design and worked on numerous projects before pursuing industrial design. With over 12 years of experience as a freelance designer, she has developed a diverse portfolio across various design fields. In 2020, Salva founded her own furniture company, where she blends her background in both interior and industrial design. Her approach to design is focusing on the relationship between form, function, and user experience.
Salva abed kahnamouei Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Salva abed kahnamouei.
Salva abed kahnamouei Design - Porch Multifunctional Space
Salva abed kahnamouei Design - Diorse Store
Designer Interview of Salva abed kahnamouei:
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?
SAK : My mom is a painter, so I’ve been surrounded by art since I was young. I started painting at 13, and over time, my love for creativity naturally led me to design.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
SAK : We help make people’s dreams come true by designing everything from interior spaces to custom furniture and even the smallest details.
DI: What is "design" for you?
SAK : Design is freedom, passion, and a new born baby.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SAK : interior design - furniture design
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
SAK : Dirose store , it was full of lo
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
SAK : it was a drawer .
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
SAK : Glass and stone - smart home
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
SAK : when I'm sad.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
SAK : small details
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SAK : Freedom and creativity.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SAK : Satisfaction
DI: What makes a design successful?
SAK : Following Gestalt principles and avoiding complexity.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
SAK : Forms and colirs
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
SAK : Avoiding consumerism
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
SAK : It’s evolving towards simple, functional, and unpretentious design — yet with creativity.”
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
SAK : In last year .hopefully in few months.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SAK : My inspiration comes from Iranian cities, discovered through travel
DI: 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?
SAK : My design style blends minimalism with warmth and functionality. I focus on clean forms, natural materials, and thoughtful details that enhance everyday life.
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?
SAK : I live in Iran, where cultural heritage deeply influences my work. The craftsmanship and architecture inspire me, while limited production resources often challenge creativity in positive ways.
DI: How do you work with companies?
SAK : I work closely with companies through open dialogue, understanding their vision, and translating it into functional and aesthetic designs.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
SAK : Companies should look for designers who share their values and communicate clearly. A good designer listens, questions, and collaborates, not just executes.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
SAK : My process starts with observation and sketching, followed by prototyping and refining until function and emotion feel perfectly balanced.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
SAK : A wooden chair I designed named Zan , a vintage lamp, a handmade ceramic vase, a modular bookshelf, and coffee table that i designed named Turan.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
SAK : I start my day sketching ideas, spend time in the studio or workshop, and end the day reviewing designs or exploring materials.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
SAK : Stay curious, be patient, and learn from every project. Good design grows from understanding people and solving real problems.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
SAK : The positive side is creative freedom and expression; the negative is constant challenge and uncertainty — but both drive growth.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
SAK : My golden rule: Design with purpose — simplicity, honesty, and usability always come first.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
SAK : Observation, creativity, problem-solving, and attention to detail — combined with empathy for the user.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
SAK : Sketching by hand, 3D modeling (3d max), rendering (KeyShot), and Adobe Creative Suite for presentation and auto cad .
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
SAK : I plan in phases — research, concept, and refinement — and set clear goals for each stage to stay focused.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
SAK : It varies, but usually from a few weeks to several months depending on complexity and production testing.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
SAK : People often ask where my ideas come from — my answer is always: from observation and everyday experiences and of course Iranian culture.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
SAK : Founding my own furniture brand was the most defining experience — it taught me to connect creativity with real production.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
SAK : Private homeowners, interior design studios, and boutique furniture companies looking for bespoke, functional pieces , jewelry shops .
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
SAK : Furniture design and interior design — because it bridges art, function, and emotion. It directly impacts how people experience space.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SAK : I plan to expand my studio internationally and collaborate on projects that combine cultural identity with modern design.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
SAK : I usually create the concept myself, then collaborate with craftsmen, engineers, and production teams to bring it to life.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
SAK : Yes, I’m developing a new furniture collection inspired by urban textures and architectural forms from Iranian cities.
DI: How can people contact you?
SAK : Through my email: sa.abedk@gmail.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
SAK : Design, for me, is a continuous journey of learning and exploration. I’m always interested in collaborations that challenge ideas and bring meaningful experiences to life.