Influential Woman · Design, Graphic Design, Type Design, Art Direction

Norma Elzoghbi

Graphic Designer, ASD | SKY

Atlanta, GA

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Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's degree from American University of Beirut Degree Lebanon Degree Master's degree from Ecal in Lausanne Degree Switzerland

Her Story

About Norma

I've been in my industry since I graduated in 2019, and there have definitely been a lot of successful moments, but also a lot of ups and downs and hard decisions to make. I've had to put my morals above my career at times. I did my bachelor's in Lebanon at the American University of Beirut, and then I did my Master's in Switzerland at Ecal in Lausanne. Being Lebanese-American, my experience in Lebanon was something I was used to since I grew up in that surrounding. Switzerland was very different because the system is very systematic, and it seemed like a very big culture clash. Now I'm currently back in America, living in Atlanta, which is also a new scene for me. I enjoy traveling and exposing myself to different cultures and learning more about myself through those different cultures. When I first moved to Atlanta, I was working for Warner Brothers and CNN, but I quit my job when the war happened because it was triggering my morals and I didn't feel like that was the scene I wanted to grow in. Currently, I'm working at an architecture firm and I'm also a professor at Miami Ad School. I have a passion for teaching and giving knowledge back into society. In my spare time, I'm working on my own studio and my own magazine that I aim to publish in a year. The magazine, called Nostalgic Futures, challenges the idea of Western-Eastern narratives and opens a debate between Occidentalism and Orientalism. I've collaborated with and led 45 international artists within this 400-page magazine, including photographers, researchers, writers, and political science majors.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Norma

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to my ambitious drive and my fuel. I think that emotions play a big role when it comes to career-oriented people and their success, and also the harsh background that I've had, living in Lebanon, coming to the States. It's difficult when you're asking yourself where do you travel when your country is not safe, and you end up going into the state that is instigating that unsafeness. I've made these decisions because of my career, but sometimes when you reflect, it is very difficult, and that's what I meant when I told you there's a lot of hard decisions to be made. But I think that that anger and that fuel in what I've witnessed in life has perpetrated my career, because I want to represent underrepresented communities and people.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Don't stay comfortable in an uncomfortable position.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would tell them that you will always be competing, not with other people, but you will always be competing with yourself. Never get wrapped up with expectations or the noise around you. I think the most important thing is working for yourself and seeing yourself down the line, and the achievements that you can do. Your future self is the one that should be proud of you, regardless of anyone else's opinion.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Definitely the upcoming phase of AI and technology. Keeping up with that and understanding what we have to learn in terms of software, and what we can offer on the table that AI cannot. So that competition with machines, I think, is a challenging facade that all designers are going through now. I think that the idea and how grounded the research is, is usually what allows an idea to live more than just through a brand or through an exhibition. Anyone can execute a project, but the idea and how grounded the research is makes the difference.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I was raised with the idea that we must treat everyone as an equal. In the work field and outside of the workplace, I think that's one of the most important attributes, to always stay true to your morals, and to always stay true to the fact that everyone deserves to be treated equally, regardless of where you're coming from or who you are. Also, sometimes you need to pause and not let work completely drain you, because it's still nice to have a balance and a life, and still communicate with people outside of your domain, because you can learn so much from outsiders as well.

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