Karim Rashid

Karim Rashid is one of the most influential and productive designers of his generation. Karim Rashid was born on 18 September 1960 in Cairo, Egypt, to a British mother and an Egyptian abstract artist father. Karim Rashid moved to Canada with his family at the age of five and grew up there. Karim Rashid studied at Carleton University in Ottawa and received a bachelor's degree in industrial design in 1982. Karim Rashid continued his education in Milan and Naples, where he worked under Ettore Sottsass and in the studio of Rodolfo Bonetto. 

Karim Rashid opened his own design studio in New York in 1993, and the studio remains active today. Karim Rashid has created more than 4,000 designs, received more than 300 awards and worked in more than 40 countries. 

Karim Rashid's work covers interior objects, furniture, packaging and branding. Karim Rashid has collaborated with companies including Umbra, Alessi, Artemide, Veuve Clicquot, Samsung and Armani. Karim Rashid's work appears in the permanent collections of museums worldwide, including MoMA, Centre Pompidou and SFMOMA. 

Karim Rashid is known for a distinctive style combining organic forms, vivid colours and innovative materials. Karim Rashid aims to make design accessible and clear to a broad audience, based on a belief that design can improve everyday life.​

Karim Rashid designed his first hotel, Semiramis in Athens, Greece, in 2004, and became the exclusive designer for the budget hotel brand Prizeotel in 2008. .​

Karim Rashid is also active in teaching and frequently speaks at university lectures and conferences worldwide, with the aim of making design more accessible and clear to a broad audience. 

Karim Rashid's work and design philosophy have had a significant influence on the modern design industry. Karim Rashid continues to inspire a new generation of designers and art enthusiasts worldwide.​