Interview about Mawa Branding Corporate Identity, winner of the A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award 2025
This design features an interwoven gold circular emblem, symbolizing unity, strength, and continuity, paired with modern sans serif typography for clarity and sophistication. Inspired by geometric patterns in luxury architecture, the gold gradient adds depth and reflects premium quality. Crafted using advanced digital tools, it is optimized for scalability and versatility across various applications, ensuring consistent performance in print, digital, and large format mediums. This harmonious blend of cultural symbolism and contemporary elegance creates a lasting visual impact.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe emblem was inspired by the idea of connection and belonging. I combined geometric balance with fluid curves to reflect both structure and comfort. The circular form represents continuity, while the interwoven lines symbolize unity and shared purpose. Gold adds a sense of prestige, aligning with Mawa’s values of elegance and trust.
I started with local architectural patterns and simplified them into modern forms. The goal was to honor heritage without overwhelming the design. By using clean lines, ample space, and a timeless color palette, the identity speaks to both tradition and progress, appealing to a wide range of audiences.
I created a custom gradient that mimics real gold, tested under various light and media conditions. In print, I used metallic foil and controlled ink densities. Digitally, I built scalable gradient styles with fallback options. The key was balancing richness with flexibility for all applications.
I chose a modern sans serif with clear structure and soft edges to echo the emblem’s geometry. It reflects Mawa’s balance between confidence and calm, structure and comfort. The typeface complements the brand’s premium yet approachable feel without overpowering the symbol.
The biggest challenge was maintaining clarity and elegance across sizes, from digital icons to large signage. I created simplified versions of the emblem for small-scale use and tested color contrast on different backgrounds. Consistency came from strict guidelines and adaptive design thinking.
I studied arches, tiles, and motifs found in high-end residential architecture. These patterns inspired the emblem’s rhythm and symmetry. The key was to abstract them into clean, modern lines, subtle enough to feel elegant, but structured enough to signal quality and heritage.
Winning the A’ Design Award for MAWA has strengthened my belief in the power of meaningful, emotionally-driven branding. It reminded me that great design is not just about aesthetics but about resonance and timeless relevance. This recognition has pushed me to think more strategically in upcoming projects, how to embed more cultural depth, more human truth, and a clear sense of purpose in each brand. It also gave my clients more confidence in my process and vision, allowing me greater freedom to explore bold, premium design directions.
then distilled these influences into simplified, geometric elements that speak to today’s audience. The challenge was avoiding clichés, instead, I created a new language that felt familiar yet refined. I believe cultural representation should not be literal, but reimagined. MAWA became a vessel of that idea: modern in execution, rooted in identity. I wanted people to feel pride in the brand, whether they are locals or international audiences.
I focused on forms and finishes that evoke harmony, warmth, and stability. The gold circular emblem was not just aesthetic, it represents unity, sanctuary, and flow. The color palette of warm neutrals and luxurious golds mimics the tones of high-end living spaces. Typography was selected to be human-centered: soft edges, open spacing, and clarity. Even the spacing between elements was designed to ‘breathe’, giving a sense of calm. I wanted every touchpoint to make people feel they’re entering a space that respects and reflects them.
Start with listening. Cultural design is not about adding ornaments, it’s about understanding values, stories, and emotions. Then translate those insights into systems, not symbols. Find the tension between what feels luxurious and what feels local. Test your work in real-world contexts, not just moodboards. Above all, don’t compromise clarity for complexity. Simplicity allows meaning to shine. MAWA taught me that successful branding in the real estate sector must build trust, reflect aspiration, and feel like home before anything else.
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