Conversations with Ahmed Rabiea

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ahmed Rabiea.

Hi Ahmed, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
“My name is Ahmed Rabie. I’m 30 years old, married, and a father to two wonderful daughters, Yosr and Liliya.

I was born in Egypt, in the Maadi district of Cairo. My passion for design actually started long before my 7-year professional career. It began with a deep appreciation for anything crafted with skill and precision.

When I was around 17, I was searching for something I could be uniquely talented in. I explored acting for a while in high school and even drawing. I felt I had a talent for art, but despite my parents’ support, life’s circumstances meant I didn’t continue with it.

By university, I was still searching for the right career path. I studied Law, which I genuinely enjoyed, but something always pulled me back toward visual expression—I just didn’t realize it was my calling yet.

The turning point came from a small project idea: I wanted to sell unique, printed T-shirts. I was obsessed with the quality of the designs, so I decided to try and create them myself. The moment I started, I was shocked—I realized I was naturally good at this. That was the real beginning.

I knew immediately I had to learn everything about designe . I enrolled at the Russian Cultural Centre in Cairo and began my formal design education.

That decision set me on the path I’m on today. For the past seven years, I’ve built my professional career. I specialize in graphic design in all its forms, from creating complete visual identities to designing visual advertisements. While I’ve worked with diverse clients, I’ve also gained significant experience in demanding sectors.

As I grew, I felt a strong urge to give back to the community. This led me to create my platform, ‘the Designer’, a place where I share insights and content to help other designers grow. Today, I balance my client work with building this community, all while exploring new frontiers like the integration of AI in design.”

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
“It wasn’t a perfectly smooth road. I wouldn’t say it was impossibly difficult, but the main challenge was balance.

When I first started seriously learning design, it was right at the beginning of my married life. This put a lot of pressure on me, as I needed to focus on my new family responsibilities.

The real struggle was juggling my design education with a full-time job. At the time, my day job wasn’t even in the creative field—I was a salesperson at a photography equipment company. I had to find the time and mental energy to learn an entirely new career after my regular work hours.

But this is where the most important soldier in my life comes in—my wife. She was, and still is, stronger than an entire army. She supported me through that entire phase, never making me feel like I was falling short on my responsibilities, even when I was exhausted.

She was always there to support me with her opinion on my work. Honestly, to this day, she is the first and most important person I go to for feedback on any new design. I wouldn’t be where I

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
“As a graphic designer, my work is to be a brand’s visual partner. I specialize in graphic design in all its forms . This isn’t just about one logo; it’s about building complete visual identities from the ground up and designing compelling visual advertisements that tell a story.

In the design community, I’m becoming known for my platform, ‘the Designer’. It’s the space where I share my process, insights, and content to support and connect with other designers.

That platform is actually what I am most proud of. When I was starting out, searching for my path, I wished I had a community and a resource like that. Being able to build it now, to give back and help others on their journey, feels like I’ve come full circle.

What sets me apart? I believe it’s the combination of my story and my purpose.

My Story: My journey wasn’t linear. Coming from a background in Law and sales gives me a unique perspective. I’m analytical. I don’t just ask ‘What should this look like?’ I ask, ‘Why does this brand exist?’ and ‘How will this design solve the business problem?’

My Purpose: Because of my platform, ‘the Designer,’ I’m not just focused on my own portfolio. I’m constantly thinking about the craft and the community. This means I hold my client work to a higher standard—it has to be something I’m proud to share, something that not only works for the client but also inspires other designers.”

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
“My view on risk is that it’s a necessary step for anyone truly wanting to build something for themselves. In my career, I’ve taken two risks that defined everything.

The first major risk was when I decided to leave my stable job in sales to start my career as a full-time designer. This was the first time ‘design’ would be my only profession. The timing was what made it terrifying: I had financial responsibilities to my family, and my wife and I were expecting our first child, Lilia. I was worried that if I failed, I couldn’t just get my old job back. But I took the leap and started as a designer at a company.

The second major risk came a few years later. I had gained experience working at different companies, but I wanted to start my own journey as a freelance designer.

The obstacle this time was significant: I didn’t have enough money to even buy a PC to start working for myself. The financial burden was high, and I had no idea if I could actually succeed or make a living as a freelancer.

This is where my wife was, as she always is, my biggest supporter. She backed me up morally and financially . She used her own money to help me buy my first PC to start my freelance business. She believed in my decision, even with all the financial pressure and uncertainty.
Those were the real risks—betting on myself when the stakes were highest, knowing that I had someone who believed in me completely.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ahmedrabiea.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahmed.rabiea95/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ahmed.rabiea.735
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-rabiea3012
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/thedesigner3012/