EL Questionnaire 2015

Name: Rouba Haykai
Company: NELSON
Concentration: Corporate Interiors & Hospitality
College/University: Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon
Year(s) of Graduation: 2002

As a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?: I’ve always wanted to be an Interior Designer. I still remember that moment when I walked with my Dad into a Hotel Lobby that my uncle was renovating back in my hometown in Lebanon. Even before I knew what the words “Finishes & Fixtures” meant, just seeing all these “Pretty Things” being installed dazzled me and I looked at my Dad and said: “This is what I am going to do when I grow up.” 
If you could keep only five possessions what would they be?: 1- Memory Card with my all my Family Photos 2- My Wedding Ring 3- My Special jewelry pieces from Mom & Grandma 4- My Phone and last but not least 5- My Shoe Collection. These are the tangible things. Family and Friends would be #1 on my list otherwise.
What is a skill you'd like to learn and why?: Piano. I took lessons for only a couple of years as a child but never developed the skill to play as well as I would like to.
If you could have dinner with any person, dead or alive, who would it be?: Philippe Starck; a French Designer who brings a lot of humor into design.
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?: Why not everywhere?! Japan is on the top of my list. I can’t wait to visit Tokyo.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?: Achieving my NCIDQ certificate while managing family and work life. 
Lesson learned that has benefited you most in your career: Learn when to stop. As designers, we tend to be perfectionists. Staying aware of the 2 most crucial constraints (Schedule & Budget) would help draw the finish line. 
Why did you choose to become an Interior Designer?: Interior Design allows me to express myself creatively and fulfills my passion for creating beautiful, functional and innovative spaces. It’s a great opportunity to be challenged and given the chance to work on a broad variety of projects to achieve clients’ goals and help them make positive changes. The biggest reward for me is a happy client! “Design” actually runs in the family. My brother is an architect and my sister is a graphic designer. My mom had a dream to become an interior designer and I am happy I was able to realize her dream. 
Most significant inspiration: No limits actually. The world is my inspiration… From a multimedia blog, to an ID newsletter, to a movie, a book, an exhibition (Neocon is my favorite), travelling to a new country…. watching people interacting ….and most significantly Nature; the texture of a rock, a sunset at the beach, watching animals, bugs or flowers… You will (almost) never go wrong with a color scheme inspired by nature.