Arab graphic design emerged in the early twentieth century out of a need to influence, and give expression to, the far-reaching economic, social, and political changes that were taking place in the Arab world at the time. But graphic design as a formally recognized genre of visual art only came into its own in the region in the twenty-first century and, to date, there has been no published study on the subject to speak of. traces the people and events that were integral to the shaping of a field of graphic design in the Arab world. Examining the work of over eighty key designers from Morocco to Iraq, and covering the period from pre-1900 to the end of the twentieth century, Bahia Shehab and Haytham Nawar chart the development of design in the region, beginning with Islamic art and Arabic calligraphy, and their impact on Arab visual culture, through to the digital revolution and the arrival of the Internet. They look at how cinema, economic prosperity, and political and cultural events gave birth to and shaped the founders of Arab graphic design. Highlighting the work of key designers and stunningly illustrated with 360 colour images, A History of Arab Graphic Design is an invaluable resource tool for graphic designers, one which, it is hoped, will place Arab visual culture and design on the map of a thriving international design discourse.

Vorwort
The first-ever book-length history of Arab graphic design

Autorentext

Bahia Shehab and Haytham Nawar

Klappentext

Spanning a century of artistic output, this stunningly illustrated book traces the people and events that were integral to the shaping of a field of graphic design in the Arab world. With over 600 color images and featuring the work of leading designers from Morocco to Iraq, it is at once an invaluable resource tool for graphic designers and a dazzling visual record of a period of immense social and political change.

Zusammenfassung

PROSE Award Winner, Art History & Criticism
The first-ever book-length history of Arab graphic design

Arab graphic design emerged in the early twentieth century out of a need to influence, and give expression to, the far-reaching economic, social, and political changes that were taking place in the Arab world at the time. But graphic design as a formally recognized genre of visual art only came into its own in the region in the twenty-first century and, to date, there has been no published study on the subject to speak of.

A History of Arab Graphic Design traces the people and events that were integral to the shaping of a field of graphic design in the Arab world. Examining the work of over eighty key designers from Morocco to Iraq, and covering the period from pre-1900 to the end of the twentieth century, Bahia Shehab and Haytham Nawar chart the development of design in the region, beginning with Islamic art and Arabic calligraphy, and their impact on Arab visual culture, through to the digital revolution and the arrival of the Internet. They look at how cinema, economic prosperity, and political and cultural events gave birth to and shaped the founders of Arab graphic design.

Highlighting the work of key designers and stunningly illustrated with over 600 color images, A History of Arab Graphic Design is an invaluable resource tool for graphic designers, one which, it is hoped, will place Arab visual culture and design on the map of a thriving international design discourse.

Inhalt

Contents
Chapter 1: Sources of Inspiration for Arab Design, Pre 1900

Decoding Islamic Visual Language
Early Arabic Printing

Chapter 2: Artists and Calligraphers: Early Designers, 1900 - 1919

Foundation of Art Education in the Arab World
Arabic Calligraphy Designers
Early Arab Advertising
Arab Philately

Chapter 3: Design for the Masses, 1920 - 1939

Formation of Arab Magazines and Newspapers
Arabic Typewriter
Design for Cinema

Chapter 4: Arab Design and Modernity, 1940 - 1959

Independence of Arab States
Design for Culture
Arabic for the People
Father of Sudanese Graphic Design
Arab Graphic Design Pioneers

Chapter 5: Arab Design and the Palestinian Resistance, 1960 - 1969

Reasons for the Emergence of Resistance Poster
Arab Centers of Knowledge
The Problem of Arabic
Second-Generation Arab Designers

Chapter 6: Arab Designers in Exile, 1970 - 1979

Lebanese Civil War
The Syrian Design School
Migrating Designers of Iraq
Design and Post-socialism in Egypt
Arab African Design
Third-Generation Arab Designers

Chapter 7: Design and the Search for a New Identity, 1980 - 1989

Arabic Typography
Lebanese Limbo
Sudanese Designers in the Diaspora
Egyptian Design after the Open Door Policy
Fourth-Generation Arab Designers

Chapter 8: Rebirth of Arab Design, 1990 - 2000

Post-Lebanese Civil War Influx of Talent
Inspiring the Next Generation
The Artist Designs

Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index