Amer Abidi

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Amer Abidi ("AA") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

AA : I hold a BA(Hons) Degree in Architecture from the University of KENT in England, and then from then on have done many several courses on Digital Architecture and Design.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

AA : MY passion from design evolved from my passion of sketching and drawing at a very young age

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

AA : I have always wanted to be a designer and nothing else

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

AA : restaurants, bars and hotels are my forte and would love to always do more of that

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

AA : Never stop dreaming, aim high and always keep a sketchbook in your pocket

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

AA : a relentless passion and incredible attention to details

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

AA : The balance of materials used, Good lighting design and practical efficient usage of form and space

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

AA : Not only does good design elevate your mood and psyche, but also solves invisible problems that you may or may not have realized exist.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

AA : Upon my last trip to Goa in India, I noticed a hotel roof top with incredible ocean and mountain views, but the pool and Bar was badly designed for the potential of the location - I would love ot redesign that rooftop given the time.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

AA : I would love to design a luxury yacht one day

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

AA : always have a wow factor that the concept revolves around

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

AA : Heatherwick, Zaha Hadid, Avroko, and Kengo Kuma to name a few

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

AA : I am very fond of AVROKO's restaurant interiors - a perfect balance of warmth and Chic, with a masterful blend of materials

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

AA : I would say the Monarch Hotel Bar & Lounge - incorporating AI into our design process for the first time really gave us that push we needed to realize this project. The design manifests Class and Royalty, without being intimidating or overpowering.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

AA : The old adage Practice makes perfect applies here - I would always deign one thing or another, even if it wasn't for a client i would imagine one.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

AA : If i wasn't a designer i would've probably invested in Hotels, restaurants and bars around the world

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

AA : Design plays a crucial role in our daily lives, influencing how we interact with the world around us. It is not merely about aesthetics; effective design enhances usability, communicates messages clearly, and differentiates brands in a crowded marketplace. Good design improves user experience by making products and services more intuitive and accessible.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

AA : Though i wasn't fortunate enough in the beggining of my career to have the financial support i needed, I am very proud to say that i am a self-made designer. The support i got was later in my career path from the repeat clients who realized my talent and passion for what i do.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

AA : gaining clients trust has allowed me to gain bigger projects, with bigger budgets and more design freedom to realize my true vision for each project.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

AA : Client intervention - I am now hired for my proven track record of handling the whole design process uninterrupted by the client.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

AA : a picture says a thousand words. Mood boards and material palettes along with photorealistic renderings should be in every proposal and presentation.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

AA : I am working on designing Chalets in Bali, Indonesia. I would love to have more opportunities to work in diverse and different parts of the world

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

AA : to own and manage my own Designer Hotel brand, where every item in every room is bespoke designed

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

AA : the WOW factor

DL: How does design help create a better society?

AA : Effective design enhances usability, communicates messages clearly, and differentiates brands in a crowded marketplace. Good design improves user experience by making products and services more intuitive and accessible.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

AA : Im currently working on a Chalets compound in Bali (Indonesia) - super excited and inspired by their ancient use of bamboo as a structural element which i am researching to use

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

AA : Projects where the client appreciates your talent and gives you the freedom to express and realize your vision

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

AA : Depending on the scale of the project and level of details entailed - it can take me 2 weeks to finish a designer chair or a high-rise tower concept in the same timeframe

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

AA : I always start a project sketching out new conceptual shapes and forms on my pocket notepad

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

AA : Our last project is always our best yet

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

AA : good design is trend following, but great design is a trend setter

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

AA : Technology is pivotal in my design process offering the ability to experiment visually with new concepts and ideas that would be difficult to express otherwise

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

AA : we use AutoCAD, 3DS max, and Adobe Suite for our design process (in that order). Lately we have incorporated AI software such as Midjourney in the initial and later part of the design process.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

AA : ambience is everything in designing hospitality spaces, and i think that light creates much more drama than the choice of colour and materials to create more impact.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

AA : I get inspired to go sketch

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

AA : I believe in Co-design - my partner in TwoOpposites design was a branding genius. Different design specialists got together to create exquisite and full packaged projects.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

AA : Design Magazines and Journals gave me a diverse look and understanding of architecture and design

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

AA : constant practice

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

AA : Giacometti, Modigliani and Picasso.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

AA : on the contrary, it is very rewarding and fulfilling for your talent to be realized by credible international award bodies.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

AA : To me the Desert provides for all of my favorite things... from the cool water spots and falls to the captivating scenery and sunsets

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

AA : I once had a client who responded to my question of what is our budget here with "there is no budget". So Naturally you would expect money is not an issue, so I started knocking down the old place for the renovation, after which he explained no budget means No money for the project!! So i had to reinvent the whole approach to design after demolition to meet the deadline. Thankfully it was a big hit with minimal expenses.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

AA : realizing that my new concept can be developed and eventually manifest and be built.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

AA : Always. I would close my eyes and envision it every day.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

AA : Human cultivation of planets, each run by a different race, with their own ancient design heritage