1. What inspired you to choose automotive/car design specifically?
I was born with the automotive bug in my DNA I guess; I was always inspired by BMW as a performance machine and it gradually grew on; the more I understood this machine, and how it operates, more it intrigued me. I was introduced to car design when I started to be more interested in aerodynamics and the concept of form and function.
2. Tell us a bit about your current role or involvement in the automotive industry.
Currently I am the founder and transportation design director at
Concpets 4 Automotive Design “ C A D”, a transportation design studio that offers futuristic design solu- tions for urban mobility, on one hand, and on another, we offer car body kit customization, as we un- derstand that the future is all about the individual taste and the luxury of creating your own “thing”, a sort of a self reflecting car.
C A D has a CSR mission titled “WOMOTIVE Initiative” that sup- ports women in the auto industry by providing working and training opprtunity, with the aim of break- ing through social boundries and normalizing the concept of women working in the automotive sector wether it was on managerial level or technision.
3. Did you face any challenges as a Women in the Automotive industry?
Typically, yes, since the automotive industry profession of its own challenges, let alone the fact that I am a woman working in what the society calls “A MAN’S JOB”.
But I grew a resilient system in cop- ing with social rejection and pretentious companies and personas that claim “empowering women” when in reality its all a fascia for the media, and I am accomplishing that by letting my work do the talking, creating my own opportunities, and paving my own path.
4. What made you open your own Transportation Design Studio?
We are living the future, with extreme openness but yet we seem to still be somewhat behind when it comes to the transportation/automotive design industry.
I decided to launch my own design studio because the time has come that we as Arabs take the lead and create our own identity rather than copying what everyone else is doing, we need the design space for research and development to understand our urban cities, their future development, cultural tendencies and behaviors so all can be translated into “fit-for-purpose” designs and ultimately transportation systems which naturally includes cars.
But most importantly, if we want to manufacture cars in the Mena region, a design studio is a must!
5. What is your biggest achievement within the automotive industry, personal or professional?
I would say on a personal level being honored by IAAD “Instite of Applied art and Design – Torino/ Italy” with the recognition for being the first female car designer in the middle east.
Regarding the professional achievement, I believe it is yet to be accomplished with the team at C A D; we are currently developing a ground breaking concept, so I would say keep a closer eye on our work.
However, and on a personal note, indeed being acknowledged as the first female car designer in Middle East is such a privilege I will always be proud of yet humbled by.
6. What is the best piece of advice that you have received or that you could give to other woman working in the automotive industry?
Best piece of advice I have ever received “never shy away from the boss you truly are”
What I can tell other women working in the industry, never under estimate the power of pre-planning and preparation, in this tricky business preparation is key!
