Nina Hawari

Associate Creative Director at Netizency

As someone who loves to wear different hats and immerse myself in various roles, design became the perfect playground for exploration. Whether it’s stepping into the shoes of a banker, a social media influencer, or a retail expert, I thrive on understanding the psychology of each role and crafting unique experiences that resonate with audiences.

As an associate creative director at Netizency, I have the privilege of working with clients across finance, social media, and retail industries. Each day presents a new adventure to bring ideas to life and forge meaningful connections with audiences.

Thoughts on the Industry:
Design is not constant, it’s ever changing and now more than ever, we’re in a race against time to keep up with the latest technologies, specifically AI. Tasks that used to take us hours as designers, now take us minutes to do. As someone deeply immersed in this rapidly changing environment, I’ve experienced firsthand the pressure to stay ahead of the curve.

However, while everything is rapidly changing, it’s essential to not lose sight of our humanity. Despite AI being an aid to us, our ability to emphasize and connect with others remains our greatest asset as designers. Whether we’re designing a social media campaign for a bank or an entertainment platform, we always put the consumer’s psychology first. By putting ourselves in their shoes, we can create designs that resonate on a deeper level.

The one guiding principle I always follow (and you should too) is designing with authenticity. By staying true to your own instincts and preferences, always create designs that would not only stop your audience but also stop you and resonate with you, even if you’re not the target audience, you would still create a winning design keeping that principle in mind. It’s this personal touch that helps us create meaningful connections with our audience.

Throughout my journey as a designer, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of design in shaping perceptions and emotions. From visually striking social media posts to infographics, design has the ability to evoke emotions, spark conversations, and ultimately drive action. While AI may streamline processes, it’s our humanity that gives our designs soul and meaning.

As we navigate the continuously evolving world of design in the MENA region, it’s crucial to embrace technological advancements while remaining grounded in our humanity. Let AI be your imagination’s playground, where creativity meets advancement turning those crazy ideas we have into a reality that will shape the future of design and create meaningful connections. And always remember, stay true, be weird and make things happen.