Publications
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An Inspirational Guide to Arabic culture and creativity
Extensively illustrated with more than 200 examples of the best in contemporary
Arabic typography and graphic design, Arabic for Designers is an authoritative
guide for those unfamiliar with Arabic script. Using visual examples and case
studies, Mourad Boutros takes the reader through the entire range of graphic design
applications - newspaper and television typefaces, book jacket designs, corporate
and brand identity, logotype conversions, advertising, design for print and fine art.
The author shows how non-Arabic speaking designers can work with the language
and understand and respect its cultural nuances, whilst avoiding the pitfalls and
mistakes to which many Western designers have fallen victim.Arabic for Designers demonstrates how designing with Arabic can yield incredibly
innovative, beautiful and successful results. Based upon over 40 years’ experience
of working with an array of corporate and creative clients, Mourad Boutros addresses
the rise in global awareness about Arab culture in ways that inform and inspire.This book is an invaluable reference for design students, design professionals,
marketeers and anyone interested in Arabic culture and language.
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The first of its kind, this book addresses the rise in global awareness of Arab cultures and provides a framework for understanding and respect.
Extensively illustrated with more than 200 examples of the best in contemporary Arabic typography and graphic design, Arabic for Designers is an authoritative guide for designers unfamiliar with Arabic script.
Using visual examples and case studies, Mourad Boutros takes the reader through the entire range of graphic design applications - newspaper and television news typefaces, book jacket designs, corporate and brand identity, logotype conversions, advertising, design for print and fine art.The author shows how non-Arabic speaking designers can work with the language and understand and respect its cultural nuances, whilst avoiding the pitfalls and mistakes to which many others have fallen victim.
Arabic for Designers demonstrates how designing with Arabic can yield incredibly innovative, beautiful and successful results. Based upon over 40 years’ experience of working with an array of corporate and creative clients, Mourad Boutros addresses the rise in global awareness about Arab culture in ways that inform and inspire.
This book is an invaluable reference for design students, design professionals, marketeers and anyone interested in Arabic culture and language.
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Following the success of Arabic for Designers, it comes as no surprise to discover that Mourad Boutros has now published his second book, Talking About Arabic.
While Arabic for Designers serves as a primer for non-Arabic speakers to approach designing with Arabic, Talking About Arabic offers a fascinating and informative examination of the wider issues.
This time, Mourad has enlisted the expertise of his peers - well-respected figures in the field of Arabic graphic design and typography - to explore topics ranging from the nuances and holy influences of Arabic to teaching Arabic type design in a global context.
Advertising guru Alain Khouri, Chaiman of Impact BBDO, one of the region’s top creative networks, introduces the reader to the subject with an authoritative overview of the Middle East communications industry.
David Learman brings his wealth of expertise to discuss Arabic design from a non-Arabic perspective, providing a scholarly insight into the subtleties and nuances of working with Middle East clients.
Halim Choueiry brings a global perspective to Arabic type design, reflecting upon the creativity arising from the inherent conflict between globalisation and local culture and language.
George Kandalaft brings the first section of the book, Current Arabic Design Thinking, to a close with a fascinating exposition of the rapid development of multilingual web design, followed by a case study on SPIP, a true multilingual content management system.
The thematic thread that runs through every article, case study and illustration exposes how technological advances have furthered and changed the use of Arabic type throughout the world, whether in print or on the web. The author presents detailed accounts of technological developments which have permitted digitised Arabic type to accurately represent the classical art of Arabic calligraphy.
The book’s three parts all focus on how Arabic has become part of the international typographical landscape in its use all over the world in stand-alone and multilingual applications. They provide a framework for non-Arabic speakers to consider the language’s cultural, religious and aesthetic dimensions in the 21st century. Furthermore, native Arabic speakers will also find much value in this collection, particularly as it emphasises how technology has finally caught up with Arabic calligraphy.
Whether exploring the development of Arabic font technology, the creation of typographic harmony between Latin and Arabic fonts or showcasing innovative Arabic design, Talking About Arabic is a welcome and necessary addition to the bookshelf of anyone concerned with using Arabic as a design tool.
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This charming book is a masterpiece of simplicity, novelty and variety. It is immediately obvious that the book is the work of an enthusiast who believes that food should be designed for pleasure as well as nourishment.
Arlette began cooking Lebanese food at an early age in Lebanon and learned her basic skills from her mother. Since then she has always enjoyed producing healthy and appetising Lebanese cuisine for family and friends. An interior architect, graphic designer and artist by profession, Arlette has introduced her natural creativity into her cooking, producing dishes based upon traditional Lebanese recipes, but with new ingredients or tastes.
Following her enthusiasm for healthy eating, some of the traditional Lebanese dishes have been simplified by substituting chicken or fish for red meat, making them healthier and lighter. There is also more emphasis on olive oil.
In his review of the book, Cecil Hourani, the distinguished author of "Jordan: The Land and the Table", writes: "Arlette Boutros’s book is a welcome alternative to the ever-increasing number of cookbooks which either explore specific national and ethnic cuisines from all over the world, or introduce the amateur to gourmet cooking."
"Being herself Lebanese, half of the dishes she describes, and also illustrates with appetising clarity, are based on Lebanese cuisine, but she has simplified them and made them more easily accessible to a wider public...The other half of the dishes come from a variety of culinary cultures, mainly Mediterranean recipes, but some Chinese, Mexican and other international recipes."
This book is above all a book for those who have a family to cook for and perhaps a job outside the home too. The recipes are unpretentious yet deliciously healthy, concentrating on the true quality of food and the best ways of bringing out its natural flavour.
The essential message that Arlette Haddad-Boutros seeks to convey is that excellent, fresh and healthy food can be prepared by anyone and enjoyed by everyone.