Today, we’re thrilled to share an insightful interview with Mohamed Khalifa, a seasoned designer and customization enthusiast who has been crafting unique home screen setups for years.
Dive into this Q&A session to learn more about his creative process, inspirations, and his thoughts on using Smart Launcher.
Q: Hello! First off, tell us a bit about yourself and how you started your journey in design and customization.
Mohamed Khalifa: Hi, my name is Mohamed Khalifa, and I'm 38 years old. My design journey started a long time ago, fueled by my love for drawing and painting. I studied web design in 2011, but I've always been fascinated by the Android home screen design world.
It all began with my old Nokia phones, where I fell in love with wallpapers, widgets, and icon packs. Although I'm a bit older now, my passion for design—whether it's home screens, UI/UX, or graphic design—remains as strong as ever.
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Q: Describe your creative process when approaching a new setup. Could you give us an example of a past setup and walk us through your development of it?
Mohamed Khalifa: My creative process often begins with the wallpaper—it sets the tone for everything. I love minimal styles, so I’m always on the lookout for a minimal wallpaper. If I can’t find one, I create it myself. Once the wallpaper is in place, I look for widgets that match its color and mood, and if I can’t find suitable icons, I create those too.
For example, in this setup (picture above), I used a wall created by myself using Canva (link here). I paired it with Spiffy KWGT widgets by @ppickCH and Linex Black icons by @justnewdesigns. The setup was completed with Smart Launcher, which perfectly complemented the minimalistic style I was aiming for.
Q: What are the most important elements of a setup?
Mohamed Khalifa: In my opinion, the wallpaper is the most crucial element of a setup. A great setup starts with a beautiful, minimal, and unique wallpaper. It’s the foundation upon which the rest of the design is built.
Q: Do you have favorite icon packs or widgets? Which ones and why do these choices stand out to you?
Mohamed Khalifa: Yes, I have several favorites. For widgets, I love Inspire, Huk, Textograph, Elements, Koda, Evoque, Square, and Android 13 by Raj Arya, to name a few. These stand out to me because they’re minimalistic. For icons, I’m a big fan of Arcticons and all Linex icons. I also enjoy creating my own icons using Icon Pack Studio.
Q: Where do you find the wallpapers you use in your creations? How do you think a background affects user interaction?
Mohamed Khalifa: I find wallpapers on Pinterest, create them using Canva or Illustrator, and sometimes use apps like Resplash, AI Wall Art, One4Wall, Walli, and WallRod. The background is incredibly important because it’s the first thing that catches the user’s eye. It sets the tone for the entire design and greatly influences how users interact with the setup.
Q: How long have you been using Smart Launcher? What do you enjoy most about it?
Mohamed Khalifa: I’ve been using Smart Launcher for so long that I can’t even remember when I started. Every time I get a new phone, it’s one of the first apps I install. I recommend it to all my friends because it’s easy to use, stylish, minimal, and allows for endless creativity. Plus, it’s lightweight and doesn’t take up much space or RAM, making it user-friendly. It’s an essential part of my digital life that truly expresses who I am.
Q: If you could suggest a feature or improvement for Smart Launcher, what would it be?
Mohamed Khalifa: Honestly, I think Smart Launcher is perfect as it is. I love its minimalism and ease of use, and I hope it stays that way—simple, efficient, and perfect.
Q: What advice would you give to others who want to create original setups? Are there specific methods you use to keep your creativity and originality flowing?
Mohamed Khalifa: My advice would be to look a lot, search a lot, and learn from others until you develop your own style. Use your imagination and emotions to create your setup, and try to see things around you with an artist's eye. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ideas until you find the design that’s perfect for you.
We hope you enjoyed this deep dive into Mohamed’s design philosophy and process.
We strongly suggest giving a look at Mohamed’s profile to see much more inspiring setups and follow the journey of this great artist.
Do you want to be the next to see your setups and story published on our blog? Share your setup on social media and don't forget to tag us! We’re always on the lookout for fresh and creative designs to showcase.
Stay tuned for more interviews and insights from the world of design and customization on the Smart Launcher Blog.
