Architect/designer Karim Mekhtigian is one of the most influential designers in the Arab world. He studied cinema and theater along with interior design in France.

Throughout his career, he launched several notable brand icons: Kari Mekhtigian design studio, US, Analogue, Tea House, Life Lab, and The Yar to name but a few. He designed the logo and was responsible for the branding of the Pharaoh's Golden Parade. Mekhtigian has garnered multiple local and international honors, including the Platinum Muse Design Award for his company Alchemy Design.

After working in France for years, Mekhtigian founded, in 1993, his own interior design company Dessilk. The following year, his products were announced as the year's trendsetters by Salon Maison and Objet Paris. In 1995, he represented Egypt at an Exhibition by UNICEF.

Mekhtigian occasionally crosses paths with the film industry. One of these intriguing crossings was his production of a memorial show to famed set designer Onsi Abou Seif's works at the 4th El Gouna Film Festival.

Before the end of 2021, Mekhtigian established the Kyme brand, under Alchemy Design’s umbrella, after the original name of Egypt, which means “the black land” in reference to its rich fertile valley and delta. Under Kyme’s umbrella, Mekhtigian launched a number of commercial brands, including Kari Mekhtigian design studio, which encompasses Architecture and Interior Design; US is inspired by our own rich heritage and multi-layered culture. They are promoting a new all-encompassing idea of a “living culture” influenced by Egyptian history; Analogue creates tableware; Tchai Tea House, a place in Maadi where tea products are offered; Life Lab, an interactive space; and The Yar, a grand experiment to introduce environmentally friendly “green” village designs that follow the sustainability principles of modern urban developments.

As part of Mekhtigian’s intense activities, he created the Egyptian Designer’s Forum in 2005 and served as Art Director of the Egyptian Furniture Export Council (EFEC) in 2006. He is a regular head of Cairo Design Awards’ panel of jurors, which is a platform for award-winning design creativity and innovation, bringing together prominent designers and celebrating the industry’s achievements.