Nana Said
From Egypt to New York: how designer Nana Said brings her culture to her practice
Growing up in Egypt and the Gulf, patterns, textures and materials were a part of everyday life for Nana Said. She found meaning and history in her multilayered visual environment, which was centred on making and community. This sowed the seeds for a design practice rooted in dialogue, cultural context and storytelling. Nana moved to the US to study graphic design, starting over and adapting to a new country. It was this experience and her unique perspective that propelled her forward, resilient and unafraid to ask for opportunities – she shares her journey with us below.
About my work
My creative practice
I’m a visual designer working across branding, editorial and spatial graphics. My work sits between design systems and narrative-driven experimentation. I often blend strategy with tactile, crafted outcomes.
Influences and inspiration
Growing up in Egypt and the Gulf deeply influenced how I see and work. Everyday life was surrounded by patterns, textures and materials – this taught me to notice how meaning is built through layers and use over time.
Growing up in a culture where community is central, surrounded by many voices, histories and ways of making, taught me early on that meaning is often collective rather than singular. Because of this, I value collaboration and working closely with others. I approach each project by listening first, bringing a client’s story into the work through dialogue, shared perspective and cultural context.
My training
I studied graphic design at Arizona State University, which gave me a strong foundation in typography, visual hierarchy and critical thinking. Beyond formal training, the most essential skills have been developed through practice: curiosity, sensitivity to context and the ability to listen and collaborate. Working in studio environments taught me how to translate ideas into thoughtful visual systems while staying adaptable. My role ultimately requires both rigor and an openness to continuous learning.
“Growing up in a culture where community is central, surrounded by many voices, histories and ways of making, taught me early on that meaning is often collective.”
Favourite recent project
My favorite project from the past year was working on the Top 50 Architects and Designers feature for AN Interior Magazine. It was especially meaningful because the process began with paper and tactile experimentation: folding, cutting and physically manipulating materials before evolving into a cohesive visual system. Building the concept through letterforms and folds echoed the way architects and designers work — thinking through structure, testing ideas physically and letting their process shape form.
A normal day usually looks like…
My day-to-day is centered around working in the studio, collaborating with the team on a range of design projects and moving between concept development, refinement and production. Because design is both my job and how my mind naturally works, I’m always thinking visually. Outside of work, I try to balance that with quieter creative things: spending time in parks, collecting visual references or junk journaling, which helps me recharge and stay inspired without feeling like I’m always “on.”
How I got here
Starting my creative journey
Growing up in Egypt, design didn’t feel like a clearly defined path, but I always knew I wanted to do something creative. That uncertainty led me to move to the US to study design, where I truly started from zero; I spent a lot of time building my foundation and pushing myself to improve.
Over time, I found my footing by going beyond coursework, seeking out professionals and learning from their experiences and observing how the industry actually works. That mix of formal education and real-world insight helped me gain confidence and clarity as I moved forward.
Landing my first few jobs, clients and commissions
I got my first internship by reaching out directly. I saw a designer on Instagram looking for interns; he worked with famous music artists, so he seemed out of reach. The post said he wouldn’t hire people on visas, but I messaged him anyway. I told him about my interests, shared my work and explained why I wanted to learn from him.
He liked my passion and willingness to learn and gave me the internship. It taught me early on that reaching out, even when it seems unlikely, can lead to real opportunities. Since then, direct outreach, real connections and word of mouth have helped me get hired and paid.
Biggest challenge along the way
One of my biggest challenges was coping with the pressure of starting over in a new country. I had to deal with uncertainty, find stability and try to fit in, all while building my career from the ground up. Balancing these stresses with my professional growth is tough, but it has taught me resilience and shown me how to stay grounded as I move forward.
Skills I've found helpful for my creative work (and vice versa)
Creative work has taught me to observe closely, listen carefully and think intentionally. Those skills translate directly into how I collaborate, communicate and problem-solve. In return, working with people, deadlines and real constraints has sharpened my creative thinking, pushing me to be more adaptable, focused and thoughtful in bringing ideas to life.
“Word of mouth and genuine connections have been more important to me than self-promotion.”
My social media and self-promotion vibe is…
Social media is useful, but it isn’t the center of my practice. I’m most interested in working with people who share similar values, so word of mouth and genuine connections have been more important to me than self-promotion. Lately, I’ve been wanting to use social media as a space to share processes and thinking, treating it as documentation of my work.
Three things I’ve found useful in my career:
- Substack articles: they help me understand how people think and feel, beyond just creative circles. Reading personal writing has shaped how I approach storytelling.
- Instagram as a research tool: I use it to discover references and studios, not as a place to promote myself.
- Spending time with older artists and makers: people who work with their hands and have learned through experience. I’ve learned a lot just by talking to and observing them.
My greatest learnings when it comes to making money and supporting myself as a creative have been…
Early on, I learned it’s okay to take on different kinds of work while building your practice. Also, clear communication around scope, timelines and payment is essential. Over time, I’ve also learned to value my time, be transparent about rates and treat creative work with the same structure and professionalism as any other job.
Advice
Best career-related advice I've ever received
“Put in the effort so you don’t walk away wondering what you could’ve done differently.” This always helps me avoid overthinking and regret, especially when the outcome isn’t what I hoped for.
“Being encouraged to engage with other creatives, institutions and conversations outside the studio has been an important part of feeling grounded and supported.”
Where I go to feel connected as a creative
I feel most connected through the people I work with at Studio Loutsis. The studio environment itself fosters collaboration, and Taylor, the creative director, puts real effort into keeping us connected to the wider creative community. Being encouraged to engage with other creatives, institutions and conversations outside the studio has been an important part of feeling grounded and supported.
What I'd say to someone looking to get into a similar role
Start by being curious about why things work, not just how they look. Make time to experiment, especially with physical materials, and document your process. Seek out studios, mentors and environments where you can learn by observing and asking questions. Most importantly, be patient with yourself.