Negative Space
is a fearless exploration into the conversations we are not having around Arab identity in contemporary design.
In this 5-part feature, we challenge our roles as designers in shaping a collective cultural identity, paying close attention to what’s missing, and imagining what could be.
Produced and hosted by Alya Al Noaimi and Farah Sabobeh, each episode invites a panel of regional creative leaders, scholars and thinkers to explore one of five design languages—visual, written, spatial, moving, and social.
Together, we try to better understand where we have fallen short in telling our story to the world.
Visual Language
Episode 1
How are we shaping the visual expression of the Arab world, and what legacy are we leaving behind? What are we afraid of not creating?
In the first episode, we’ll explore our visual language, from graphic design and illustration to the visual communication that surrounds us.
Join us alongside panelists Salem Al-Qassimi (founder, Fikra Design), Wael Morcos (founder, Morcos Key), and Hussa Al Humaidhi (founder, Nuqat) to dig deep into the themes of cliché imagery, representation, and cultural disdain.
Written Language
Episode 2
The Arabic language has always evoked deep emotion, whether feelings of warmth or alienation, comfort or shame.
In Episode 2, we host panelists Maryam Wissam Al Dabbagh (co-founder, Rouya Consultancy), Lujain Abulfaraj (co-founder, Twothirds Design Studio), and Pascal Zoghbi (founder, 29letters) to explore the role of Arabic in the creative process.
Join us on a journey to rediscover and reclaim the Arabic language through design as we dare to reimagine our experience of the Arabic language as creatives. Going into the Negative Space, let’s dream up how we can design our future with Arabic, instead of around it. Let’s imagine what could be, and what legacy we want to leave behind.
Power of Creative Community
Special Edition
Negative Space is our way of looking for what hasn’t been created yet and dreaming up what could be.
What does creative community mean to us?
How is community created and nurtured? What do we want it to be? How can we harness the power of community with intention in order to make our dreams come true?
Join us alongside panelists Leen Sadder (CH lead of ATÖLYE Dubai) and Uns Kattan (programming lead at Jameel Arts Centre) to explore the power of creative communities.
