We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Rania Elkalla ("RE").
Rania Elkalla is skilled in designing 3D products, illustrations, patterns, experimenting with materials, Branding and integrate between different design groups. Rania’s work includes richness and vibrant elements to it. Her designs are mostly eclectic, derived from different cultures and styles. She likes to merge between different disciplines. When it comes to any design, function and quality should be as important as ethical sourcing and production. She believes that all types of designs are incorporated with each other and the designer has to be flexible, risk taker, observes well and allows different types of design and merge between them. The main aim is to keep on improving, present the best of her self and most authentic version of who she is. Designers should always remember the word “FUN” that exists in Function. She tend to design things with humor and interaction with users.
Rania Elkalla Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Rania Elkalla.
Designer Interview of Rania Elkalla:
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?
RE : I am a product / graphic designer but I would like to consider myself as an integrated designer since I always merge between different disciplines. I am born and raised in Cairo in Egypt in 1990. In 2012, graduated with high honor degree from the German University in Cairo “GUC” with a Bachelor Degree of Applied Sciences and Art, Product Design as a major. I finished my last year at KISD, Köln international school of design. I accomplished my master project in Berlin at the Technische Universität Berlin (TUB) and partially in the German university in Cairo (GUC). Since I was a kid I was always interested into art and design in general. I found great interest in experimenting and creating things with my hands. I tend to express myself through combing patterns and forms.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
RE : Shell Homage studio experiments with unusual materials that appear to be quite different in properties, behavior, and composition as eggshells, cacao shells and the outer shells of nuts, unusual applications and products are designed. The resulted biodegradable composites are applied in creating a wide range of products that not only meet the functional requirements but also inspires a sense of emotions and intellectual curiosities to consumers. It’s a new way to look at “shells”, reveal its personal homage. Shell Homage studio offers designed products that are intended to create an experience that is meaningful and delightful to users of each product and not only to provide a basic function.
DI: What is "design" for you?
RE : Design is planning and a whole process which you go through. I believe everything in this world is designed or planned in a way. It is the most elaborate way to express yourself and communicate with people.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
RE : There is not one specific thing that I like to design. I work on different projects and what’s interesting about my career that every project has its own scenario or theme that you go through. Each project has its own experience.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
RE : There are a lot, it's hard to mention one.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
RE : A chair inspired from the Kufi calligraphy.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
RE : I like to create my own materials and to experiment with natural fillers or anything coming from food waste industry. I tend to combine between technology and craftsmanship, bridge between craft, industry.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
RE : It depends on the circumstances and the outcome.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
RE : Factors I always take into consideration are functionality, simplicity, aesthetic and cost. Moreover, to bridge between craft, industry, object and user, give impressions and interact with users.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
RE : It depends on the project I am working on but I am always passionate about what I do.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
RE : It's always indescribable feeling when you realize the transformation of your idea/concept from paper to 3D rendered file to a tangible physical object. It always depends on the audience feedback and comments.
DI: What makes a design successful?
RE : User and designer satisfaction and if the design is filling its purpose and easing the life of the user.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
RE : Functionality, concept, simplicity, impression, innovation, is it needed.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
RE : We need to work with nature rather than against it, using its best methods for furthering production not just of materials but of end products. To reach this point, we need to overcome certain presumptions about what our products should look like. We need to bring together some newer production methods, and materials that shows promising substitutions and makes us rethink about how to make things and what they should be made of.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
RE : In our profession, it’s very important to work on material research projects. Material science only provides us with a part of the puzzle, but also demonstrates the importance of understanding all perspectives. In the end I think designers should initiate more collaboration and it is their responsibility to speak both languages. Creativity comes from trials and exploration of other fields. It’s all about having a curiosity to experiment new things and not just to limit yourself to the knowledge you have gained through your field. It is not an easy task to bridge the gap in information and techniques. What matters is the process of finding solutions that are meaningful to people, that enable new understandings, inspire and create positive impact in society and in our own daily lives. Furthermore, focus not only on objects and installations but also on the creative process of how it is done.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
RE : Selected as a winner in Design + Industry competition 4 & Egypt Design HUB and exhibited my work at Furnex 2017. Having Giulio Cappellini and Prof. Luca Fois as part of the Jury members. The exhibition was in Cairo, Egypt. My next exhibition is not yet decided.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
RE : It's not something specific to mention, sometimes random spontaneous details inspires me.
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?
RE : My designs tend to be eclectic, the good thing about eclectic style that it is flexible and allow you to encompasses a variety of periods and styles and is brought together through the use of different colors, textures, characters and finishes.
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?
RE : I live in Cairo in Egypt. Cairo or Al-Qahira a city whose name means both victorious or the oppressor. It is really hard to describe life in Cairo. It’s an insane, diverse, festive, dynamic, chaotic, surprising and one can only begin to understand it by walking down its streets but it’s very inspiring and definitely affects my design in a positive way.
DI: How do you work with companies?
RE : It depends on the project type.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
RE : To hire people with various skills, eager to learn and improve and can fit well with the company environment and the rest of the team. Skills can always improve and be attained but to have a good communication with the rest of the team is very important. Designers portfolio is the most important thing for companies to select them.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
RE : Having a problem to solve or a new concept to offer. Concentrate on research, ideation, design and how you present your work is very important. Designers should always remember the word “FUN” that exists in Function. I tend to design things with humor and interaction with users.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
RE : Bialetti moka express, macbook pro, evian water glass bottle special edition, SS2419 black & white BOOK PUCKER UP BUTTERCUP WALLPAPER BY YORK
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
RE : Try to get the best out of my day, do something beneficial and be productive as much as I can.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
RE : Work hard and be passionate about what you do. "Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety nine percent perspiration." Thomas Alva Edison
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
RE : The positive thing that it always challenging the mind and requires creativity, not every project is the same. No matter how experienced you are, you always learn through the process and meet new people along the way whether clients, manufactures or suppliers. In addition, working in a team is most of the times great and rewarding. A negative thing is that sometimes it is not well paid.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
RE : Designers and user’s gratification.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
RE : When it comes to any design, function and quality should be as important as ethical sourcing and production. I believe that all types of designs are incorporated with each other and the designer has to be flexible, risk taker, observes well and allows different types of design and merge between them.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
RE : Sketching, rhino or auto cad program, plus I have my own material library for collecting any interesting sample or material I found interesting and could be used.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
RE : Trying to give my work the needed priority.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
RE : It depends on the project or the client.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
RE : All my previous jobs have given me some experience and I learned something new from them.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
RE : My designs are mostly eclectic, derived from different cultures and styles. I love working with unusual materials and to experiment in labs.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
RE : it depends on the cooperation and the project.
DI: How can people contact you?
RE : Mobile number: +4915776679776 / +202 01157761141 E-mail Address: rania.elkalla@hotmail.com