Roula Ghalayini - Creative Director at BRAG

Introducing Roula Ghalayini, a multifaceted creative professional based in Dubai. As the founder of her namesake brand RULA GALAYINI, she's built an award-winning global handbag brand proudly made in the Middle East. She also heads a retail consultancy division focused on Middle Eastern fashion and luxury, working with prestigious clients like the Abu Dhabi Ministry of Tourism.

Roula's creative journey spans impressive territory. Currently serving as Creative Director at BRAG since 2021, she previously managed marketing and designer relations at Fashion Forward ME. Her media background includes a role as Regional Creative Director at Music Television Networks, where she significantly increased viewership by 46% within just four months.
Before that, Roula spent five years at Leo Burnett as Associate Creative Director, handling major international accounts like Johnnie Walker, Kellogg's, and Fiat, alongside local brands throughout the MENA region. Her strong communication skills are complemented by fluency in Arabic, English, and French.

A graduate of the American University of Beirut with a distinction in Graphic Design. Her impressive awards include the Mediterranean Fashion Prize and multiple advertising recognitions.

Chapters

00:00 The Evolution of a Designer's Purpose
05:51 Cultural Influences on Design
11:55 The Importance of Discipline in Design
17:56 The Bigger Picture in Design
23:55 The Role of Technology in Design
30:07 Resilience in the Creative Journey
35:55 The Impact of AI and Sustainability
43:24 The Impact of Gaming on Skill Development
49:19 The Evolving Role of Education in Design
54:59 The Importance of Context in Design
01:01:05 The Role of Intuition in Design
01:07:06 Learning from Mistakes in Design
01:12:22 The Scam of Template Design
01:19:18 Championing Positivity in Design
01:25:01 Hiring Practices for Designers
01:30:26 Bridging the Gap: Design Management and Professionalism
01:35:59 Problem Solving: The Core of Design
01:42:34 The Role of Designers in a Distracted World
01:47:51 Travel as a Source of Inspiration
01:56:09 Navigating Challenges in the Media Industry
02:02:17 Lessons from the Handbag Business
02:08:47 The Strength of a Nonlinear Career Path
02:16:17 The Importance of In-Person Collaboration
02:25:58 Measuring Success in Design
02:34:07 Advice for Aspiring Design Leaders
02:40:51 Rapid Fire Insights: Design Perspectives

This Podcast series is an initiative of The Extended Pack Collective.