We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Mohammed Obaid ("MO").
Mohammed Obaid is a creative director with a background in identity design, advertising, and visual communication. He helps organizations build clear, adaptable brand systems that connect modern design principles with regional culture. His work spans multiple sectors, developing bilingual brand assets that function across languages, platforms, and formats. Through his practice, he supports cross-cultural communication by translating ideas into structured, meaningful visual narratives focused on clarity, purpose, and relevance.
Mohammed Obaid Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Mohammed Obaid.
Mohammed Obaid Design - Mawa Branding Corporate Identity
Designer Interview of Mohammed Obaid:
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?
MO : From a young age, I was drawn to visual storytelling. I used to sketch and create imaginary brand logos in my notebooks without realizing this was the foundation of a future career. I officially began my journey in 2005 after earning a bachelor's degree in Marketing from King Abdulaziz University. Combining strategic thinking with artistic intuition, I stepped into the advertising world and found my passion in branding. Over the years, I developed my skills in visual identity, campaign direction, and design strategy, working across diverse industries.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MO : I work as a creative director and brand consultant. My focus is on creating brand identities, developing comprehensive design systems, and leading creative projects from concept to execution. I collaborate with clients from various sectors, offering solutions rooted in strategy, clarity, and storytelling.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MO : Design, to me, is the bridge between an idea and its real-world impact. It’s how thought becomes tangible, how emotion is translated into visual form, and how brands find their voice in a crowded world. Good design is not just about aesthetics, it’s about solving problems, evoking feeling, and guiding perception with intention and precision.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MO : I enjoy designing brand identities the most crafting a complete visual system that captures a brand's essence and makes it instantly recognizable. There’s a deep satisfaction in building a language that communicates a company’s personality and ambition through logos, typography, colors, and layout. I also enjoy the conceptual side of advertising campaigns, where strategy and creativity meet.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MO : One of my favorite designs is the award-winning identity project I created for a brand that bridges tradition and innovation. It involved deep research, strategic narrative crafting, and a visual language that resonated across cultures. Winning the A' Design Award for this work was a proud moment not just for the recognition, but because it proved that thoughtful design can be timeless and universal.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MO : The first professional design I created was a print advertisement. It was a simple layout, but it taught me the value of hierarchy, clarity, and how design needs to serve a message. It also showed me how exciting it is to see your work published and out in the world.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MO : I enjoy working across digital platforms, especially those that allow for brand expression at scale, like web and social media. From a tools perspective, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop remain essential to my process, but I also appreciate the simplicity of pen and paper in the early concept stage.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MO : I feel most creative during quiet, uninterrupted hours usually late at night or early in the morning. That’s when my mind is clear and ideas flow freely. Traveling or being exposed to different cultures or places also sparks new thoughts.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MO : Clarity and meaning. I focus on how every element contributes to the message whether it's color, typography, or composition. Design should never feel forced; it should feel inevitable.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MO : I feel a mix of excitement and responsibility. Design is not just a task, it’s a process of bringing something to life. There's joy in discovering the right solution and seeing it take form it feels like solving a visual puzzle with purpose.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MO : When a design is realized and seen in its final form, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment and quiet pride. It is rewarding to know that something that began as an abstract idea is now functional and impactful. I also feel gratitude for the trust clients place in me to bring their vision to life.
DI: What makes a design successful?
MO : A successful design communicates clearly, connects emotionally, and fulfills its purpose. It should be relevant, intuitive, and memorable, while also reflecting the brand’s personality and values. Success is also when the audience responds to it as intended.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MO : I first look at clarity, function, and emotional impact. If the design solves the problem and feels effortless to interact with or understand, it is usually a strong piece. If it relies solely on decoration without substance, it often misses the mark.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MO : Designers have a responsibility to create work that is ethical, inclusive, and conscious of its environmental impact. We influence perception and behavior, so our role includes promoting positive values and minimizing waste through thoughtful design.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MO : The design field is becoming more interdisciplinary and integrated with technology. The future lies in human-centered, adaptive solutions that blend function, emotion, and sustainability. AI and automation will assist us, but the need for originality and empathy will remain at the core.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MO : While most of my work is showcased in commercial and digital platforms, I am considering curating a personal exhibition that explores the intersection of branding and culture. It would ideally be held in a creative hub like Dubai or Jeddah within the next two years.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MO : My inspiration comes from contrast, travel, cultural heritage, architecture, cinema, and everyday conversations. I also study design history and global trends to keep my mind open. Creativity is fed by curiosity, and I constantly explore new mediums and ideas.
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?
MO : My style is strategic, clean, and emotionally resonant. I aim for timelessness and clarity rather than trend-driven visuals. I explore ideas deeply before visual execution, ensuring each design has a clear concept and story behind it. Simplicity with depth is the core of my approach.
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?
MO : I live in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The cultural richness of the region deeply influences my design thinking, especially the balance between tradition and modernity. The fast-growing creative scene is a pro, but the limited exposure to design education in earlier years has been a challenge I worked to overcome.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MO : I work closely with clients to understand their business, audience, and goals. I believe in a collaborative process that includes discovery, strategy, creative exploration, and refinement. Clear communication and trust are essential to producing meaningful results.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MO : Companies should look for designers who understand both creativity and business objectives. A good designer listens well, asks the right questions, and can translate strategy into visual language. Portfolios reveal a lot, but so does the designer’s ability to collaborate and adapt. Trust and clarity in communication are key to a successful partnership.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MO : My process starts with research and discovery to fully understand the client’s goals, audience, and industry context. From there, I move into conceptual development, sketching and testing directions before crafting the final design. Feedback loops are important at each step to refine the solution collaboratively.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MO : A framed wall puzzle, a vintage camera, a minimalist floor lamp, a custom-designed coffee table book, and a framed typographic print. Each one reflects a balance of function and design.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
MO : My day begins early with a gym session to energize both body and mind. After that, I have a light breakfast followed by coffee and a quiet review of my task list. Mornings are reserved for deep work and creative exploration. Afternoons involve client meetings, revisions, or presentations. I usually wind down with reading or sketching ideas unrelated to work, keeping the creativity alive.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MO : Stay curious, be patient with your growth, and focus on building both your eye and your thinking. Learn to take critique with humility and never stop studying the world around you. Your value is not just in making things look good, but in making them meaningful.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MO : The positive is the freedom to express ideas and the joy of bringing abstract thoughts to life. The negative can be the pressure of constant reinvention and the occasional undervaluing of creative work in business settings. Still, the passion outweighs the challenges.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MO : Never design without understanding the purpose. Every element must serve a reason and contribute to the bigger picture. Form should follow meaning.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MO : Visual sensitivity, conceptual thinking, communication, adaptability, and a strong grasp of design principles. Empathy and curiosity are just as important as technical tools.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MO : I rely on Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator and Photoshop, I often sketch by hand in notebooks before jumping to screen. My inspiration library includes branding books, design blogs, and references from cinema and architecture.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MO : I set clear priorities and break projects into stages with milestones. Time blocks for focused work help me avoid distractions. I also allocate time for feedback, rest, and creative breathing room so I can stay sharp and motivated.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MO : It depends on the project’s complexity and scope. A simple logo might take a few days, while a full brand identity system can take weeks. I prefer not to rush the process, allowing time for research, exploration, and refinement.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MO : Clients often ask, “How can we make our brand stand out?” It’s a question that goes beyond aesthetics and opens the door to strategic thinking. My answer usually involves a mix of clarity, authenticity, and consistency across all touch-points.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
MO : Leading the creative direction of a cross-cultural branding campaign for a major client was a defining moment. It tested my ability to balance strategy, culture, and creativity, and the results had long-lasting impact on the brand’s presence.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MO : I have worked with a wide range of clients including government entities, real estate developers, FMCG brands, and tech startups. Each brings a unique challenge and learning opportunity.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MO : I enjoy projects that involve creating or evolving a brand from the ground up. These allow for full creative immersion, from concept to execution, and often lead to the most satisfying results.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MO : I plan to start a full-service advertising and branding agency that combines strategy, creativity, and cultural relevance. My goal is to build a strong team capable of crafting impactful brand identities and campaigns across industries. I'm also interested in mentoring young creatives and expanding my work through regional and international collaborations.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MO : I usually lead the creative process myself, but I collaborate with specialists like copywriters, developers, or motion designers when the project requires it. This hybrid model allows flexibility without compromising quality.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MO : Yes, I am currently developing a visual identity for a cultural initiative that aims to promote local heritage in a modern format. It is still in early stages but has the potential to be one of my most meaningful projects.
DI: How can people contact you?
MO : I can be reached via email at mobaid.creative@gmail.com or through my LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/mohammedobaid
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MO : I believe design is a lifelong journey. Winning awards is an honor, but the real reward is in continuously evolving, learning, and leaving a meaningful mark through creative work.