We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Mhd Al Sidawi ("MAS").

Furniture and Interior designer based in Istanbul/Turkey, graduated from Damascus University, Faculty of Fine Art in 2011. Worked on various (Residential, hospitality and commercial) local and regional projects during practice in Damascus and Istanbul. With an aim to create a beautiful and functional spaces / objects that tell a story and reflect culture, traditions and details. Currently I’m head of design at Beytist Interior Design Studio based in Istanbul - Turkey, a studio focus on luxury residential projects.

Mhd Al Sidawi Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Mhd Al Sidawi.

Designer Interview of Mhd Al Sidawi:

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?

MAS : It’s a cliché its always come from the family, but it’s true I do remember my grandfather, father and my uncle working at their workshop as carpenters specialized in classic and handcrafted Syrian inlaid furniture and how much it was and still fascinating to see how much effort and focus applied to create such master pieces.

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

MAS : Currently I’m Head of Design at a Istanbul / Turkey based studio called Beytist, a studio specialized in luxury residences.

DI: What is "design" for you?

MAS : Design for me is the statement that combine passion and attraction with function.

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

MAS : Furniture, Pattern and decorative objects.

DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

MAS : Each time I’m falling in love with a Master and trying to learn and adopt from him/her, currently Dieter Rams specially 606 Universal Shelving System, A modular, multi-function and timeless object.

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

MAS : It was a software interface (UI) for a software in year 2004-5. I studied before MIS (Management Information System) and I dropped the university at 3rd year, I used to be web designer / developer before and later I studied Fine art.

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

MAS : Wood / Behance / Faber Castell Grip 2001

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

MAS : Early morning.

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

MAS : Creating an experience and telling a story, Details, Materials and how light would affect all

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

MAS : Frustration to joy Love to hate, but when it clicks it’s love at first sight.

DI: What makes a design successful?

MAS : Combine passion and attraction with function to solve a problem makes a design successful.

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

MAS : Attraction & Beauty.

DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

MAS : I haven’t had any exhibition yet, but my plan to finish my furniture collection within this year and try to do some during 2019 - 20

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

MAS : Reading and trying to imagine the set or the places mentioned in a novel and then trying to search those places, plus internet for sure.

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?

MAS : Now a days I would like to say minimalism as furniture but more contemporary classic when it comes to interior. But still my taste is always developing (as my experience) and trying new different styles.

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?

MAS : Currently I’m living at Istanbul/Turkey, so as a heritage for sure it affects my work but unfortunately the progresses of work might be difficult and hard sometimes like any other urban mega city.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

MAS : It is important for a designer to able to sketch in order to deliver his or her ideas and beside to be a good listener and story teller.

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

MAS : I tend to start any design by simply having some fun with paper. I like to start with sketch models before diving into any digital design or more complex technology.

DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

MAS : From one day to several months.

DI: What was your most important job experience?

MAS : It's not about my biggest design, project or achievement I had done, I have a long journey to spend to be able to say that I have a large project. What I’m proud of that I was a part of Autoban team where I learned too much as i mentioned before about design thinking and being a part of multi-projects that you feel yourself proud of when you finish

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

MAS : I always had a dream that I have a wood workshop within my studio, a workshop place that I can work and design furniture for international brands. But for sure it still early. What I’m trying to do in meanwhile when I have free time to be in one of our studio’s supplier factory to learn more about the techniques and wood & materials types and specifications from the handcraft men. And as not long term goal I want to do my a furniture set and exhibit it in Salone del Mobile in Milan - Italy

DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

MAS : I prefer to work alone at the first stages especially when its a personal project, but for sure I’m going full open to my colleagues for opinion and I do like seeing the first reaction, its my primary feedback, then I’m reshaping the design according to those opinions and feedbacks before sending to client, as a designer my main challenge is not taking feedback personally, being able to detach yourself from your design is the hardest part, in our industry it's really important to learn how to lift up the mood of the studio to make everyone in mood of creativity to help team to create.

DI: How can people contact you?

MAS : Via my website al-sidawi.com or Social Media (Instagram, LinkedIn and Behance)