Things I’ve Learnt: May Fawzy, MF Design Studio

Currently serving as the President of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), May Fawzy has cultivated a distinguished career in multinational architecture firms across the Middle East, Africa and the United Kingdom. In 2011, she founded MF Design Studio, specialising in commercial interiors. Under her leadership, the studio has delivered numerous multi-million-pound projects, earning several prestigious awards in the process.

Sustainability is a cornerstone of Fawzy’s approach to design – championing sustainable and timeless design solutions since the outset of her 20-year career. As member of the Sustainable Design Collective think tank, she actively participates in industry events to promote awareness around sustainability and wellbeing in the built environment. 20 years in practice, half of which has been spent running her own successful studio, has taught Fawzy many valuable lessons – here she offers up the top five.

Build strong relationships.

In the design industry, people are your most valuable asset. Whether it’s clients, colleagues, suppliers, or contractors, every relationship you build contributes to the success of a project. Think of strong relationships as the blueprint for a successful outcome – they guide and shape the entire process. When you take the time to foster these connections, you’re not just creating a network; you’re laying the groundwork for trust, collaboration, and exceptional results.

Trust your expertise and instinct.

Design is subjective – it’s what makes it exciting, but also what makes it challenging. You’ll face pushback and be questioned along the way, but always trust your expertise, instincts, and decisions. Stand firm in what you know. The best designs I’ve ever delivered were the ones I believed in and defended fiercely. Your unique perspective is your superpower and it’s the reason clients hire you in the first place. So, when in doubt, remember: you’re the expert and your instincts are your secret weapon.

Choose your team and work as a team.

Design is a team sport and collaboration is where the magic happens. Surround yourself with like-minded, creative thinkers – the kind of people who challenge you, inspire you, and make the journey enjoyable. The right team can turn a good project into something extraordinary. Share ideas, debate passionately and lean into each other’s strengths – because in the end, nothing beats the power of a well-synced team. Remember, great minds don’t just think alike – they create together.

Challenge the brief.

Clients don’t know what they don’t know. They do not always know what they truly need – they often come with assumptions, inspirations, or requests to replicate something they’ve seen elsewhere. Your job is to dig deeper. Challenge the brief every time. Ask the right questions and take the time to understand the underlying needs behind their desires. By pushing back thoughtfully, you open their eyes to possibilities they may have never considered. Your expertise and fresh perspective are why you’re at the table, so don’t shy away from guiding them towards a solution they may have not considered, that’s even better than they imagined.

Know your client.

The bedrock of any successful project is understanding your client inside and out. The research stage is your secret weapon – dig beyond the surface to learn how they operate internally and how they want to be perceived by the world. Uncover what matters most to them, what they value and what drives their decisions. When you truly get under their skin and know them better than they know themselves, you’re not just designing a space – you’re creating something that resonates on a personal level. Master this, and your designs will consistently exceed expectations.