We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Mai Al Busairi ("MAB").
Simple Human-being. My significance lies in my belief in the power of architecture, Art & Design for positive change and kindness in today's world. I offer expertise on a global scale. My major achievements include altruistically serving communities and fostering positive change. What makes me intriguing is my dedication and persistence to extending support and contributing to societal betterment.
Mai Al Busairi Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Mai Al Busairi.
Mai Al Busairi Design - Mariam's Library
Designer Interview of Mai Al Busairi:
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?
MAB : I am an architect, and I believe that the profession and expertise we are in could contribute more to the world in a kind way. I have a Bachelor's degree in Architecture, studied in Kuwait, Barcelona, Spain, and Los Angeles, California, USA. Absolutely, I was so nosy when my dad was constructing our house and among my sisters, I was always with him supervising
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MAB : Parallel Studio is a driven architects’ firm, based in Kuwait with a multi-cultural context. The team comes from a variety of backgrounds, yet working in parallel; bringing together our ideologies and methods to the edge. We design based on statements from fundamentals and re-construct the presence by exploration and exploitation of the project. Parallel Studio immerses with a diversity of scales in the spectrum of architecture, art, and design. Not limited to restrictions, but by understanding the characteristic that morphs designs, programs, and aesthetics as a parallel principle. Architecture, Art, & Design ubiquitously functions in parallel.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MAB : A tool to deliver a purpose
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MAB : Project that area meaningful and fill a need
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MAB : In Africa, Tanzania, Mariam's Library stands as a testament to purpose-driven design, transcending mere aesthetics or materialism often seen in affluent nations. Its purpose is to plant a seed in the hearts of young students, inspiring them to become catalysts for positive change in their society and fostering a culture of learning.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MAB : It was a pavilion
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MAB : Monochromatic materials, using the logic of Grasshopper to design and built as fast as possible
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MAB : Initiating the concept through a raw sketch
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MAB : Butterflies
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MAB : Excitement
DI: What makes a design successful?
MAB : Honesty and filling a human gap
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MAB : Functionality
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MAB : We should all be responsible for our societies and even the world. Avoid consumption and go travel to discover the need of the people especially the poor countries and try to initiate as least with the minimum
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MAB : I can see the orientation to sustainable architecture
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MAB : Qatar museums in Qatar, 2022
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MAB : It comes from observations. Question mainly asking
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?
MAB : I don't have a style, and I like it that way. I believe that a "Style" limits the creative soul. Every project is different than the other, this is due to the reason of design based on human physiology and need, every project is different than the other in terms of aesthetic and form.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MAB : Word of mouth
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MAB : Don't limit the designer
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MAB : I design based on human physiology and need, every project is different than the other in terms of aesthetic and form. I would love to design more of spaces for the poor people all around the world
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MAB : Staircase Staircase Staircase Staircase Staircase
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
MAB : Wake up, coffee, jump to the laptop, dive into the tasks
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MAB : “What is the essence of life without a meaningful mission”
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MAB : Positive: You are able to deliver your messages and values through designing. Negative: Controlling client
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MAB : Dig into questions to know the exact need
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MAB : Waring different hats
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MAB : Sketch book, rhino and grasshopper
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MAB : Having a proper deadlines
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MAB : It depends on the complexity of the design and the tasks
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MAB : Whay do you do what you do!
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MAB : Qatar Museums Amiri Diwan of Kuwait
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MAB : Charity projects because it is selfless and kind
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MAB : A library for blind people in Jordan and a mosque in Tanzania, Africa
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MAB : The Concept design by myself, project development and handover with my team
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MAB : A mosque in Tnazania, Africa, we are in the designing phase
DI: How can people contact you?
MAB : Email: mai@para-llel.com Contact Number: +96597879031 Instagram: @mb8s_
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MAB : No, Thank you.