My name is Alia El Gammal and i am a senior in parsons for interior design. I am originally from Cairo, Egypt. Moving to New York was a huge culture shock. My design strategies have taken many twists in terms of my different influences, and the people i surround myself with.
My primary interests in design is the modern clean cut, with geometric shapes. I want to change the idea of space. It should become and environment to evoke emotion, rather than have you settle for where you are sitting.
My approach is more often than not, an abstract idea. Once i discover what emotion i want to evoke from the society i think of my concept idea, and the brand of my design. I then come up with a model; this is a symbol of the environment that i am about to create. It will become a metaphor to my domain.
I create my work with different methods, and there are several steps to this. I have to begin with an abstract idea, either bringing out some paint and exploring brush strokes, or some chalk and a graphite pencil and imagine any sketch that will change the way i feel. Then i go into model making, weather it is cardboard or melted wax, or a clay sculpture. Depending on my concept these strategies always help me develop a shape, or create an initial floor plan idea. These methods usually spark up something to help me begin the design process of my interior.
The next very important step is AutoCAD, this software helps me create my 2D drawing in the easiest, most precise way. I will be able to incorporate scale, people, symmetry and whatever geometry i have previously sought out. This 2D drawing will then be imported with Rhino, a 3D building software, where my interior space can come to life. I can begin extruding walls, and building furniture to see if the 2D drawing would actually work as the environment I hope it could become.
I essentially make environments, i create a domain and a territory. Yes its true i still have not discovered my true interests in who i would like to design for, weather it is for a big industry, or a family home. However my methods will always stay the same.
My creative practice is very influenced by what i see everyday. i absorb the culture i come across. I like to let my everyday experience draw and develop my artistic mind set. My next steps are to take everything I’ve learned and create my own company for space. I want people to come to me and rely on me to change the idea of interiors, to develop a space they didn’t dream could exist. I want to be able to evoke emotions, and i am really hoping that my time living in the city, and traveling around the world could help me learn and be influenced by the different things i see.
