Grid Design for Trading Company have been shortlisted in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2023. Read more about owner / chief designer, Jawaher Almoarawi, below:

---

Name: Jawaher Almoarawi

Company: Grid Design for Trading Company

Position within company: Owner / Chief Designer

Website: https://grid-ides.com

Tell us a little about your background in design:

I started from 2002 when I graduated from bachelor of Arts and interior architecture from Dar Alhekma university in Jeddah. I started working in an international company called Better Homes for four years, the projects were mostly international and it gave me a lot of exposure. After that I was a Design Director in local interior design company called MODASSIC all of their work was with big projects including palaces and turn key projects. So, I had an experience in the projects from the moment its open also I’m interested in lighting design and I took a certificate from ERCO lighting and it’s been my passion to design spaces that have experience that elevate your daily experience in the space. Then I started Grid Design Office since 2010 it started from two employee to almost 30 employees until now and the company is growing and taking different directions, first project was kids’ library we were very versatile and we like to design versatile projects like yachts and buses where the exposure is high.

How would you describe your personal design style?

Designing big impact with using very simple materials and simple elements and I like to use architectural elements in to interior spaces so I’m always playing with these elements such as scale, reptation… all of these design elements that are used in architecture I like to implement them in interior design and I want to define myself in one style it’s mostly about using these styles to impact the space experience.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

My design inspiration Comes from books, old buildings, music I think music one of the most inspirational methods that I use also I always like to have some relation to history so the history a source of inspiration too.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

I think that smarter designs moving towards being more in touch with the feelings of the individual using the space and more genuine. Genuine designs are in right now and we like to use things as they are not as mimic of the style.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2023 and beyond.

Definity the maximalist is a them that to be looking at 2023 also bold designs when mixing colours, materials and patterns I thinkthat’s the new play. third them I would go for the bohemian them is really now current. Fourth them is the modern minimalist. Fifth them is the serene and calming designs this is really in now a days.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

Trying to be original and trying to create an experience I’m not copying from other people’s work I’m inspiring from my surroundings I’m trying to come up with concepts going back to the basics of how to create a concept in design this would be my best advice you have to go to the basics and create the concept from the scratch it has to be humanised touching the human aspect of the space humanisation in design would be my second advise.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?

I think its very important to be acknowledge on international level and it creates exposure to new opportunities in the international and local market.

What projects are you currently working on?

We are working on palaces, restaurants, yachts, buses, Private villa.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?

I don’t have a favourite but I think everything new and challenging is nice for me, working in the first cinema in Saudi Arabia working in a yacht working now on buses I think these are the challenging every new challenge.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?

I think up until now the bus converging and the other one would be Jump Up the trampoline park and a bowling area because everything was new and according to code.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?

I think these would be the programmes that are for 3D visualisation before it wasn’t necessary to have it we use to do things by hand and hand sketches but now it’s mandatory so these programmes are key to a successful client and designer relationship where the client can see everything first hand before it’s applied.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

We are actually moving to a new and bigger office and working on collaborating with our employees and making creative environment office. we are doing a full study on how to put more goals for people how working in the design field to keep them motivated and we are aiming to grow internationally.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?

I have an old 16th century clock inherited from my family and a Persian silk rag.

Your favourite holiday destination?

Italy and Switzerland.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?

One and only hotel and sexy fish restaurant.

Your favourite book, film & song?

Forty rules of love book by Elif Shafak.
Any song from Tracy Champmen is my favourite.

Your favourite food and drink?

Salads and mojitos.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

Fashion designer.

Grid Design for Trading Company