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I have been pursuing photography for five years. I am based in Hertfordshire and explore a range of styles including documentary, street and event. My passion behind the art medium stems from capturing moments in life that connect people and making a difference visuMy name is Mayar Nasef, I am an interior and furniture designer. In 2022, I graduated from Modern Sciences and Arts University in Egypt and Bedfordshire University in the UK holding a double bachelor's degree in Interior Design and Architecture, and a recently completed MA in Interior Design Innovation. Born and raised with deep roots in Egypt, my North African/Middle Eastern heritage greatly influences my approach to design. Fuelling my enthusiasm about experimenting in creating conceptual spaces that promote sustainability, innovation and regeneration.
During my time in Cambridge, the city’s diversity and multiculturism has inspired and solidified my belief that cultures should be celebrated. This has also pushed me to explore and learn about design interpretations in different cultures through different timelines which has guided me to commit to inclusivity and the belief that design can bridge cultural divides.
My approach is not only limited to catering the human species but follows the concept of more-than human, emphasising a biocentric approach that respects all living beings. My aim is to keep pushing the boundaries of design to create spaces that connect people and honor their backgrounds, injecting diversity through experimental contemporary design approaches.
"112 Mill Road" is a design proposal that reimagines dining as a dynamic cultural exchange experience, deeply rooted in the principles of social engagement and community-building. The project envisions a space where users of diverse cultural backgrounds can interact and connect, thereby strengthening Cambridge’s multicultural fabric through the universal language of food.
Inspired by Jan Gehl’s shared spaces philosophy, the project extends the concept to include urban wildlife, specifically focusing on creating a biocentric environment that considers the well-being of city hedgehogs and other non-human inhabitants. The design fosters a cohabitable space that is inclusive of both humans and animals, promoting shared experiences across species.
"112 Mill Road" also addresses the psychological impact of urban design by enhancing pedestrian safety and experience, treating public spaces as extensions of interior design. This project was developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, including Mill Road 4 People and Cambridge Access Surgery, ensuring that it meets community needs while introducing innovative solutions.
Ultimately, the project transforms dining into an act of cultural exchange, where every meal becomes an opportunity to learn, connect, and build a more inclusive community. It aims to create a space that bridges cultural divides, promotes mutual understanding, and enhances the well-being of its users.ally.
Throughout my time at the Cambridge School of Art, I have created projects based on a variety of topics, from creating a photographic book based on a fictional story to documenting social issues in the local area of Cambridge. I aim to use photography by finding inspiration from the smallest of things, striving to produce excellence in whatever I photograph.
"Accommodate" is a social documentary project that explores the reality of student accommodation within Cambridge.
At the beginning of my final year, I experienced many frustrations with student housing within weeks of returning after the summer holidays. This included faulty fire alarms, major leaks near a fuse box and a broken back gate which caused several bikes to be stolen. After speaking with other students, I realised I wasn’t the only one. Students all around Cambridge were experiencing frustrations with their accommodation – mostly under the same housing agency which remains nameless for this project.
I started speaking with more students in Cambridge and photographing them in their rooms, capturing the personalities we get from their first time living alone whilst also alluding to the bigger picture with dirty framing and the subjects staring directly into the camera. I additionally photographed close ups of walls that have experienced damage and mould, which seems to be one of the most common problems students across the nation experience in their accommodation.
My hopes for "Accommodate" is that it can give a platform for these students so that their voices are heard on the poor standards of accommodation, giving a small insight to a bigger problem that isn’t spoken enough about.
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