Arabic for Designers

An inspirational guide to designing with Arabic script, for native and nonnative speakers alike The Arabic-speaking world is growing in political and economic power, but for nonnative speakers, using Arabic script in graphic design can be daunting. This visual resource book, written by a designer-typographer from the Middle East with extensive experience working for Western agencies and type foundries, considers the challenges and pitfalls of producing work for a Middle Eastern audience, from cultural misunderstandings to the finer points of font design. Using vibrantly illustrated case studies, from logotype conversions for European and Middle Eastern television networks to websites and printed media, the book shows the importance of cultural knowledge to good design and demonstrates the evocative power of Arabic script. An introductory volume, the book presents a brief history of Arabic calligraphy and modern type design. Two chapters are devoted to typography and logotype design, followed by a substantial section of case studies that give real-world examples and the lessons learned from them. The only accessible book on the subject, Arabic for Designers will open up a new world of possibilities to students, practicing designers, and art directors, guiding them to a greater understanding of how to produce the most effective and enduring design solutions.