History of Arab Design: Student Exhibition 1

GDES 389: History of Arab Design: Student Exhibition 1

GDES 389: History of Arab Design: Student Exhibition 1 is related to GDES 389 Special Topics Course under the Art & Graphic Design Department, American University of Kuwait (AUK). The course has been proposed as an official course addition to the program and is curently under assesment.

The exhibition included 15 installations that featured a variety of art & design student projects which included Arabic calligraphy, typography and lettering, sculpture, interdisciplinary, multimedia, painting, illustration, manuscript, mashrabiya design, poster design, product design, and furniture design. Students were instructed to execute work from the list of medias/deliverables given in the final project brief.

Students were instructed to combined their technical and creative skills along with the necessary tools and techniques to execute the final work. They had to show inspiration and style of an existing Arabic graphic designer or artist whose work is featured in the course’s official textbook: A History of Arab Design written by Bahia Shehab and Haytham Nawar.

The exhibition was held for two weeks, from 5th - 16th February 2023, GF Lobby, Generic Building, American University of Kuwait.

Click below to read AUK article:

https://www.auk.edu.kw/about-auk/office-of-public-affairs/news/2023/february/auk-students-showcase-artwork-in-history-of-arab-design-exhibition

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Experimental Typography Workshop Series

This workshop was quite different than all the other workshops that were conducted previously. The workshop consisted of four different sessions - each connected-but-disconnected to the other in a very interesting way. Connected by outcome & use of techniques; the outcome of each session had to include typography in some way, either aesthetically (size, weight, style) and/or functionally (applying typographic rules, alignment, space, contrast etc.). However, it is disconnected through the use of different disciplines/mediums (environmental design, manuscripts, political posters & product design). Individuals were able to register for a single session or all the sessions. Luckily all registered participants were able to register for the full package (four sessions).

We looked together at the relationships between fonts and interior, landscape, architectural, and industrial design.

Objective: understanding how letters are connected with place and space.

We designed together a manuscript (a topic of their choice) using a mixture of calligraphy, type & info-graphics.

Objective: understanding how manuscripts were designed & what they were used for.

We designed together a product of their choice using Letraset (letters printed on sheet which can be put onto various surfaces).

Objective: learning how to use Letraset sheets and create fancy patterns of letters on various product designs.

We designed together a political poster & tapped on current issues, this was an opportunity to express creatively!

Objective: understanding how to communicate and express creatively through art & design tools and techniques

IMAGES

VIDEOS

Typography for Children Workshop

This workshop allowed registered kids to learn what is graphic design and typography, as well as how fonts are designed.

The registered kids drew letters, sketched, colored, painted, cut, glued, soaked, built, hung and dried out a variety of font styles of the alphabet - meaning they had full exposure to sizes and weights of letters. Children repeated with Arabic letters too and looked for visual culture connections that made them understood how to relate to own Arab identity through the use of Arabic alphabet and language.

Outcome: Participants were able to differentiate between different script styles, san serif and serif font styles, worked on the alphabet, related letters to their own characters and personalities, learnt how fonts express emotions and moods, and saw how own final letters came to life.

DESIGN CAMP WORKSHOP - NUQAT REGIONAL CONFERENCE 2019

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SYNOPSIS

Working in and through the arts becomes a way to help people meet the economic, ecological and social challenges of the future. Every problem we face will be easier to solve if we have inter-connected, engaged, resilient, creative communities. Design Camp [D.C], aims to help strengthen the creative design process for designers and non-designers who are interested in developing their creative practice. The workshop aimed to connect participants to the design community and help them understand their niche within the design sub-communities. The three-day workshop was conducted by three design educators - Dr. Jawaher Al Bader, Dr. Fahad A. Dhawi and Dr. Roma Madan-Soni. D.C was open for up to 40 registered participants. The workshop was part of Nuqat Regional Conference 2019, Kuwait.

STAGES

The registered participants went through various stages including: aesthetic inspiration and interest, visual language, space, signage handling, defining persona, Design sustainability and engagement, resources skills, implementation, equipment, recycle. The workshop exposed participants to scripts harmonization, bilingual design, concept development, letter construction, Arabic typography, layout/structure, concept mapping, simplification, visual design and bricolage.

STAGE 1 & 2: VISUALIZATION & IMPLEMENTATION (CONSTRUCTION).

STAGE 3: OBJECTIVE: PARTICIPANTS’ FINAL INSTALLATIONS

BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

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Collaborating with Khaleejesque Magazine

Khaleejesque has made great contributions in various fields since its establishment. It has become a leader in research and a point of reference to many researchers, scholars and practitioners. I was approached by Khaleejesque a few years ago to give insights on bilingual communication design; this very much confirms the credibility of the magazine and how eager it is to evolve within a globalized context and become an accessible collectors’ item.

Khaleejesque has been admired and respected by the design community in the region. It has shown impressive major developments throughout its timeline. The team has gained solid design background and structure - evolving significantly in myriad fields and disciplines since its foundation.

Its successful contributions influenced me greatly and led me to refine the curricula of my current Graphic Design course here at Box Hill College Kuwait - and dedicate the student’s Final project for IAD201: illustration and Drawing. Design Students go through Khaleejesque archive to research and tap on local/international cultural design issues and redesign the magazine cover of Khaleejsque upcoming issue through the use of the graphic communication techniques, tools and research learnt and undertaken during the course.

Khaleejesque team were later invited to the final project installations and presentations. The team provided constructive feedback to the students and joined in an open discussion on designing for future magazine covers.

Typographic Observing Workshop

72 hours: is the duration of a communal interactive creativity workshop event. While artists meet to work on various projects, observation will take place from distance to learn and understand the content given in each workshop that is taking place during the three day art-based event.

This will allow space for a cross-disciplinary approach - observing typographic movement of the Arabic & English letters used by participants through human expression, mood and rhythm.

Design assessment of artistic potentials’s input, implementation, reflection and outcome. The purpose is to pick insights, get inspired and develop the final logo design for the overall event based on the use of the workshops’ concepts, techniques, and tools.

IAD 201 - Activity

TETRAHEDRON: Art Nouveau Lines.

An activity given in IAD201 - Illustration & Drawing course, where BHCK Design students decorated tetrahedron pattern with rhythmic linear designs. #BoxHillCollegeKuwait #design #art #activity #archive #fall2018 #graphicdesign #students #designstudents #bhck

AUK Workshop: Intro to Arabic Typography & Cultural Symbols

The workshop introduced the basics of Arabic typography, type anatomy as well as highlighting the importance of two case studies in Arabic typography and bilingual communication design; (a) “Harmonization of Arabic and Latin Scripts” by Titus Nemeth and (b)” Arabic Type-Matchmaking” by Dr. Huda AbiFares. Participants reviewed both case studies to help them execute their final bilingual design (Arabic-Latin/English) projects (typographic-concentrated media outcomes).

The workshop invited different kinds of participants:

1. Interested graphic designers

2. Visual communication practitioners

3. Information designers

4. Design Educators

5. Typographers

6. Interested Individuals with basic-to-intermediate drawing /or calligraphic skills

7. Interior Designers

8. Architects

9. Artists

10. Engineers

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Participants were first divided into a group of four. They chose one of the four main project options to work on in and out of class.

Participants’ final design project options:

1. Bilingual design projects of their choice (this can be logo design, package design, poster design, manuals, book design etc. but *must feature cultural symbols)

2. Symbols for local cultural themed board games or playing cards infused with bilingual texts

3. Bilingual signage with cultural symbols created for old heritage souks, or cultural themed cafes.

4. Envisioned Bilingual Signage in Kuwait (i.e road system, museums, malls, centers etc.) (*must feature cultural symbols)

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Day One

Session A

Participants were introduced to the basic rules of the commonly used Arabic calligraphic styles to help them visualize and understand the writing direction, flow of Arabic text and the letter shapes and their visual patterns and structure as well as practice tracing letters. They were also exposed to an extensive variety of Arabic texts from various existing media – they worked closely with Arabic letters and arrange texts according to a set of typographic rules. They then worked on mindmaps to create their envisioned final projects. Various sketches of letters and drawings/symbols were later created and evidential visual research was displayed on electronic/print.

Break: 15 mins

Session B

Participants worked mainly with Arabic letterforms while using their own cultural symbols along the side. They studied different graphic design elements and techniques - including balance, sketching, colours, size, shape, weight, texture, value, lines and contrast. This was to create simple, clear and expressive cultural symbols along with bilingual texts that covey the message in an accessible way.

Participant constructing Arabic letter ‘Ain’.

Day Two

Critique session, group presentations, Printing, finalizing & installing design projects

Participants laying out typographic collages.

Outcome of Workshop

The worksho allowed participants to have a thorough understanding of the difference between Arabic calligraphy and typography. It allowed them to distinguish between writing, lettering and/or designing for type design. Participants gained the knowledge and skills needed to help understand the progressive transitional phase of a calligraphic practice to a typographic one. This was achieved by understanding how to develop Arabic letters from calligraphic sketches to typographic letterforms. Starting with the exploration of two known case studies to the use of different graphic design elements and techniques, participants were aware of how to develop effective and visual appealing symbols and practice arranging bilingual texts in complete harmony. Whether to gear up a personal project with the use of bilingual texts, to the creation of cultural symbols, or the fusion of both - this workshop helped explore a broad range of typographic and design techniques and elements. This was achieved to help rebrand an existing logo, a company’s identity, or establish a new design project. Towards the end of the session, participants expanded their understanding of how to overcome certain challenges encountered in the process of executing simple and creative symbols as well as bilingual design related projects through the case studies mentioned above.

KUWAIT WORKSHOPS 2018

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION & REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE — FOR FURTHER INFORMATION & REGISTRATION: **CLICK HERE**

Hejaz & Nejd Early Stamps

Illustrations of early issues of overprints, bill, notarial, railway tax stamps and surcharges of Hejaz and Nejd - from booklet “XLCR Stamp Finder & Collector’s Dictionary”, printed in Great Britain by Thomas Cliffe LTD., 1940s, RHYL, North Wale.

Recap of Workshop II: Mapping Information through Graphic Communication Design

The workshop helped registered participants understand how to break down complex texts through information design techniques to communicate simply and creatively using 'concept mapping’. Participants reviewed an excessive amount of existing mapping visuals to understand how designers communicate clear information through simple and creative illustrations, charts and diagrams.

They were exposed to a large amount of data while learning how to intake, engage, organize, summarize and arrange such information and interpret it into your own understanding through design-related strategies and graphical representations. The session helped the majority of participants develop efficient mapping skills to simplify communication and hence document and store data creatively and efficiently.

Recap of Workshop I: Branding through Graphic Communication Design

The workshop helped registered participants expand their understanding of branding, designing and advertising for business projects. The session discussed the significant role of graphic communication and guided participants through the basic steps of creating great creative logo designs, package designs, corporate identities and other different types of media. They have learnt how to start a creative and a dynamic design project that focuses on both the aesthetic and functional concerns for effective communication, advertising and marketing purposes. The workshop helped them explore a broad range of design techniques and elements.

Starting with understanding the ‘Harmonization’ of Arabic and Latin (English) scripts through bilingual typefaces to the use of different graphic design elements and techniques - including balance, sketching, choice of typefaces, colors, size, shape, weight, texture, value, lines, contrast, text arrangements, paper quality and the selection of appealing visuals. Participants were guided through an extensive variety of design-based theories and contextual literature to help them build their on-going projects or assist them in establishing their futuristic design projects with a clear focus and a design-related strategic framework.

Summer Workshop II: Mapping Information through Graphic Communication Design

Workshop Overview:

Reyada would like to announce an upcoming workshop in collaboration with Fahad A. Dhawi @phahadali “Mapping Information through Graphic Communication Design”. Learn how to break down complex texts through information design techniques for simple and effective communication. Are you a graphic or a visual designer who needs to develop certain information design skills? Are you an individual who is looking for efficient ways of simplifying and mapping information to help you with the arrangement of complex texts within various work environments? Then this workshop is for you! Register now through the link in @reyada_co bio, limited seats available.

Strategic Partners: @Dawrat & @Sirdab_lab

Facilitator: @Nuqat

ريادة تود أن تعلن عن ورشة عمل بعنوان ”تخطيط المعلومات عن طريق التصميم الجرافيكي التواصلي“، والتي ستقيمها بالتعاون مع فهد الضاوي. تعلم كيفية تبسيط النصوص المعقدة عن طريق تقنيات التصميم للمعلومات لتواصل أبسط وأكثر فعالية. هل أنت مصمم مرئي أو جرافيكي و تحتاج إلى تطوير مهاراتك في تخطيط المعلومات؟ هل أنت شخص تبحث عن طرق فعالة في تبسيط و تخطيط المعلومات لمساعدتك في ترتيب النصوص المعقدة في بيئات العمل المتعددة؟ إذا نعم، فهذه الورشة لك! يمكنكم الان التسجيل عن طريق الرابط في صفحة reyada_co@

MORE INFO & REGISTRATION LINK

Summer Workshop I: Branding through Graphic Communication Design

Workshop Overview:

Reyada would like to announce an upcoming workshop in collaboration with Fahad A. Dhawi @phahadali “Branding through Graphic Communication Design”. Learn how to design creative and effective corporate identities, products or different types of media for various projects. Are you a designer, typographer, employee or a business founder? Whether you are an advanced graphic designer, or an individual who has no or less experience in graphic design and would like to either expand your horizons or develop your design skills, this workshop is for you! Register now through the link in @reyada_co bio, limited seats available.

Strategic Partners: @dawrat & @Sirdab_Lab

Facilitator: @Nuqat

ريادة تود أن تعلن عن ورشة عمل بعنوان ”العلامات التجارية من خلال تصميم الاتصالات الجرافيكية“، والتي ستقيمها بالتعاون مع فهد الضاوي. تعلم كيفية التصميم المبدع و الفعال للهوية الذاتية للشركات، المنتجات أو لمختلف أنواع المشاريع. هل أنت مصمم، موظف أو تمتلك مشروع صغيرة؟ هل انت مصمم جرافيكي متقدم أم شخص ليس لديه خبرة أو خبرة قليلة في التصميم الجرافيكي وتود أن توسع معلوماتك في هذا المجال أو أن تطور خبراتك؟ إذا نعم، فهذه الورشة لك!يمكنكم الان التسجيل عن طريق الرابط في صفحة reyada_co@

MORE INFO & REGISTRATION LINK

Abraj Typeface

Giving it a try; designing a typeface for the first time ever. This is exhaustingly fun! I'm planning on publishing it soon, you'll be able to download it online. In regard to all Arabic typeface designers out there, please note that i am a graphic, not a typeface designer and thus i have very less experience in typeface design. I was just curious to see the process of designing a typeface.

Testing Research Project

Testing research project further on workshop participants. Workshop was venue sponsored by the British Council, London.

Workshop in London

I'm conducting workshop sessions that are venue sponsored by the British Council in London starting from the 11th of April 2016 to test my Ph.D. project on participants. Interested individuals can now register online for one of the three sessions.

Registeration now open:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/learn-basic-arabic-through-visual-design-tickets-24222749897?aff=es2

Testing Ph.D. Project

Testing Ph.D. project on participants from Session 2 - Arabs with no Arabic experience.

Conducting Workshops in Kuwait

Just finished my workshop sessions in Kuwait. Although i faced many challenges throughout my stay in Kuwait, yet I was able to test my Ph.D. project on few participants.

Speaker at TypeCon 2015

Glad to be one of the speakers at TypeCon this year in Denver, Colorado.