Interview with Christine Adel Zaghloul

After graduating from school I wasn't particularly sure I had what it takes, but I thought to give it a try. I applied for the faculty of Applied Sciences and Arts at the German University in Cairo and to my surprise I was accepted. Later on I actually performed among the best students and graduated with high honors, which is something that boosted my confidence of course and gave me alot of motivation to continue. Back in Uni I found many passions in design, so I knew this is what I need to keep on doing.

I always start by hand drawn sketches in my sketchbook. depending on the project, but many are simple pencil sketches. I often choose a different tool (watercolors or collages) to explore different textures and feelings.
When I am satisfied I would start digitizing (mostly using Adobe Illustrator).

Any brief is accompanied by fear: will I nail it, will I produce something that answers the brief and is fresh and new at the same time? I then get absorbed in experimenting and sketching. The best feeling is when experimenting leads to unexpected results.

I believe fast observations and the ability to filter my visual environment were always a helpful skill that I had. I also learned to backup my design through valid arguments and research, this is a skill that I learned from my german education at the German School .

In the future I want to explore many things: I want to be more involved in the research and design field of Arabic typography, as I also want to invest more time and education in children related designs and projects, in particularly children who have learning difficulties and challenges.

Designers should never be afraid to explore different fields and gain exposure. I recommend that young designers don't settle too early and find a comfort zone, but rather dare to explore more and more.

Honestly I cannot call myself successful, not yet at least.

My day to day is currently constantly filled with interruptions due to my life as a mother. But I learned to be faster and use all the in-between times to work. My day is like a race to achieve my work. On just lucky days, I get to sit down more and read design news, but this is not my usual for now.

I care alot about design trends and like my work to have a different essence each time, as I personally get bored.
However being a mother of 2 it is sometimes too fast to keep up.

A good design fulfills the purpose it was designed for, however a great design exceeds the expectations and sets new standards for future designs.

In my opinion there is always room for improvement. I never designed anything and felt that this was the end, maybe it was the deadline or the launch, but definitely not the end.

My biggest design work so far is Zagazoo Busy bag.

Reza Abdini & Homa Delvaray who both happen to be Iranian. I find a certain charm in Iranian calligraphy and designs.

Design is a job that doesn't stop when your workday ends, but it tends to continue and come home, to bed and even in the shower with you. I prefer to work outdoors, but it isn't always easy with a screen and wacom. So if this isn't an option, I would settle for an indoor area with a big window and nice atmosphere.

Lately I have been working either alone or together with my sister and partner in our small startup. I tend to believe that I need some time alone to design and meditate while designing, but it is always great to brainstorm with others.

Each year I try to contribute to (at least) one pr bono project, not just to feel good or helpful, but also because many of these have really impactful outcomes and come with their own interesting challenges and therefore interesting solutions.

I feel honored to be amongst the winning designers. Taking part gave me confidence to try more and showed me some aspects of what makes a good design even better. Not only do I benefit from the exposure, but also having fellow designers to be inspired from and a drive to do more and better in the future.

Because I enjoy the process of creating and experimenting the most.

Chose to be one.

I mostly design, logos, illustrations and letters.

I am not a legend :)

A good designer meets a brief target but a great designer exceeds the target & produces a design that is timeless.

A good design challenges the ordinary and adds to what was previously there in the market. It has a function and excels in the looks, too.

Good design is unique and personal, that's why people should not just use templates, but rather seek to personalize their design.

I would love to explore designing for different cultures that I never knew before.

Doing a design research & accordingly a design for a big documentary like National Geographic.

Research, observation & lots of trials.

Mohamed Samir, Nora Aly, Nadine Chahine..

This is constantly changing really

I personally like my experimental ancient Egyptian gods illustrations, because its visual language is extremely different than the inherited familiar illustration of pharaonic Gods & kings. I believe it has potential to be used in many different ways: jewellery, give aways..etc

to be on the safe side I would say 2-3 weeks

looking for inspiration and sketching

both affect each other

i mostly use it when I digitize

Adobe and glyphs

depends on the brief and my mood

mostly looking for inspiration

My studio is basically my personal portfolio that consists mostly of branding, packaging, typography and some illustrations. In addition to that I started a recent career in toy/game making as I found my company together with my sister under the name Zagazoo.

If we are talking about illustration or font making it is more like my yoga or meditation. If we are talking about a brief it is more of my chess or smart game. If I am being experimental than it is just my fun.

Arabic typography and lately I discovered a passion for toy design.

I enjoy my work that include character development and illustration. I love my ancient Egyptian Gods & Goddesses project. I also like Zagazoo's mythical creatures set of illustrations.

It was a children's banner for Mc Donalds, I worked on it while I was employed in FP7.

I love print especially on special materials or paper. I also love wood.

When I crack a brief, I feel smart.

I am conceptual I would say, so I would always care that the design derives from a strong concept and is backed up by research.

At the beginning of something new, I am very tensed and afraid to disappoint myself. Usually, I enjoy the rest of the process. When I approach seeing how it will turn out to be I am very critical and afraid once again.

It depends whether I like it or not. If I don't like it, I feel ashamed, but if I do, I am proud, but always feel there is room for improvement.

To fulfill what it was designed for.

The brief is important, regardless of how good something looks, it should answer a brief or at least challenge the brief.

A designer should keep an open eye and observe where he/she can have an input in his society/environment and world. We are not just out there for cash, we should believe in certain causes and try to make a difference.

I think more people will contribute to design, it will not remain exclusive, but rather inclusive, where more people will have input, regardless which background they have.

I usually don't exhibit my work at least not on ground.

I believe I am mostly inspired from my homeland Egypt. We have a lot of gaps and unexplored territories as we lack lots of design solutions, too. I am encouraged to find creative solutions for the people, once I can spot a problem.

I would say I am pretty much experimental, of course this is toned down when the brief is limiting. I don't know if I have a particular style, I constantly change I think. I always start by sketching and if I have more time I use all conventional and unconventional materials to print, draw scribble...etc

Right now I am in the UK and I am pretty much interested in integrating parts of my cultural heritage whenever there is a chance.

Usually, as a freelancer I wait till they approach me. Somehow the opposite never worked really well for me.

it is stressful sometimes to stay up to date and challenge the rules

obeservation

I check my calendar before I give any deadlines then I commit.

It depends, some take a week and some take two-three.

How do you get your clients?

Zagazoo, simply because it wants to add value to the children's world.

Goethe Institut, Danone, Apexos, Gazef.

I enjoy arabic typography and game design that includes illustrations or interesting graphical elements.

I want to work more closely in the toy industry and/font making

Most of the branding projects I work alone, but since my recent startup Zagazoo, I work within a team.

There is always something in-progress. Right now I am working on an Arabic Typeface for homeschooling during quarantine.

Phone number or email