DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
: It's essential to slow down, reflect and connect with yourself. Karma J is about finding your true self in order to thrive. What truly inspires and captures me profoundly is true connections. It starts with being truly in touch with yourself. Your genuine self meeting other authentic people.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
: When decorating my home, I found the market limiting for mirrors and frames: It was mainly niche or mass market. I felt the need to make the design more accessible with the client through a character they could relate to and a mirror that felt it had a special design touch.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
: To live through and create more characters for the upcoming collections. I would also very much like to work closely with interior designer and architects.
To live a project intensely through the eyes of an architect or interior designer (and develop a new character that fits them) is fascinating for a certain period of time. And very liberating to move onto your next destination. I’d like to do more of that.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
: The Impressionist collection was conceptualised 4 months ago and each design was developed during within a month.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
: I was asked to be the Aspiring Artist and collaborate with the number one breakfast boulangerie in Dubai, La Serre. That included decorating 20 big walls with my pieces. I wanted to explore a more playful and bold side. Usually I consider the shopper clientele in a department store or concept store, but this time I had more free hands and enjoyed utilising that freedom.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
: I will be continuing to produce my own work and I work closely with craftsmen in Beirut.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
: The mirror is an interesting object to go deep with. You learn a lot from your own reflection and from the surrounding reflections. It gives an entirely different dimension to the ordinary.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
: Due to the constant political turmoil in Beirut, artists and designers are in constant mode of change and move. The heartbreak leaving and nostalgically coming back brings forth a melting pot of foreign affairs and passionate patriotism.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
: Although I think it’s interesting to have more combinations of function and aesthetics in mirrors I believe it’s the characters in the stories I share. Everyone has a rebel side. There is a bigger trend in understanding the designer’s point of view before buying a piece of art. It creates a stronger connection between the artist/ designer and the buyer.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
: Backgammon is a popular game for the common people and played by generations across. It's nostalgic and renown. I wanted something very straightforward.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
: Although it’s interesting to combine function and aesthetics in mirrors, it is the story and that connection you immediately create with yourself through the reflection that makes this unique. Everyone has a rebel side. And if you don't, you dream of having it.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
: I work closely with a community of hardworking craftsmen that balance at times stubborn with generous flexibility and we challenge each other everyday.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
: To be patient enough to allow us people to let technology sink in. Technology is moving very fast and we need some time to grasp and adapt the changes. Our own selves need time to reflect.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
: I went back to my memories of vintage posters and game boards such as snake and ladder, back gammon, domino and scrabble. I wanted a game that could connect to many different kinds of people.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
: In Lebanon, we usually have issues with internet connection. it's not as fast as we'd like it to be.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
: I have followed Design Milk closely and I was happy to submit my work to a professional panel. Many times when you work alone, it's sometimes hard to bounce back your ideas with the right people and I'm very excited to hear the aspects of their critical feedback.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
: I learnt the basics of Photoshop as I had to submit over the weekend without any help from the graphic designers that were off! I changed the content of my answers and improved the quality of the pictures. The guidelines were very helpful!
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
: Looking forward to hearing from you!