Description
Book SynopsisArab 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 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.
Trade Review“[T]his book is a significant contribution to the global discourse on graphic design history, and essential for all graphic design and visual communication programs (especially in the Arab world). It brings together, under one cover, important yet little-known information. It offers a kaleidoscopic view of graphic design from the Arab world and grounds the field within the broader discussion of graphic design from the peripheries of the established design canon.”—Art Journal
“Important and rich. . . an essential textbook for design educators all over the world. It’s the history book I wish I had as a student, and the resource I’ve been missing as a practicing designer. . . .[A] significant and long overdue publication.”—AIGA Eye on Design
“Highlighting the work of key designers and stunningly illustrated with over 600 color images, [the authors] look at how cinema, economic prosperity, and political and cultural events gave birth to and shaped the founders of Arab graphic design.”—Holiday Powers, New Books Network
"A groundbreaking publication. . . A History of Arab Graphic Design is filled with exquisite examples and is worth buying for the images alone, but of course a better appreciation for the work and the contexts in which they were created is gained by reading the rich history that accompanies the images."—Technical Communications
"An essential new textbook for students and graphic designers from East and West"—PRINT
“Easily the best introduction to the history of modern Arab visual culture on the market today.”—The Brooklyn Rail
"A landmark . . . recommended . . . This book gives a much-needed visual overview of several generations of Arab graphic designers working in Arab countries and in different diasporas and exiles. It builds a history of Arab graphic design from the origins of printing through the 21st century, bringing the work of graphic designers across the region into conversation." —M. Lynx Qualey, Al-Fanar Media
“Closing the gap on the history of Arab graphic design . . . with over 370 pages and 600 color illustrations, A History of Arab Graphic Design is an invaluable resource.”—Futuress Magazine
"[O]ffers a thus far missing genealogy of Arab graphic design . . . a major feat"—The National News
"A reference work on many levels . . . [a] rich tour, well documented and supported"—Ahram Hebdo
Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1. Pre-1900 Decoding Islamic Visual Language Elements of Representation Arabic Calligraphy through Time, Space and Material Islamic Manuscripts Rise of Islamic Visual Language Systems Early Arabic Printing Early Arabic Block Printing Why was Europe the Birthplace of Arabic Typeset Printing? Arabic Printing in the Arab Region Bulaq Press: Revolutionizing Arabic Typesetting Chapter 2. 1900–1919 Foundation of Art Education in Egypt Arabic Design Calligraphers Early Arab Advertising Arab Philately Chapter 3. 1920–1939 Formation of Arab Magazines and Newspapers Arabic Typewriter Design for Cinema Chapter 4. 1940–1959 Independence of Arab States Arab Design and Modernity Birth of Arab Cultural Events Arabic for the People Father of Sudanese Graphic design Arab Graphic Design Pioneers AbdelSalam El-Sherif Hussien Bicar Chapter 5. 1960–1969 Arabic Translation Project and Mass Production of Knowledge The Problem of Arabic Palestinian Resistance and its Artists Reasons for the Emergence of Resistance Posters Artists of the Palestinian Political Posters Poster Genres and Key Symbols Second Generation Arab Designers Abd El-Ghani Abo El Enein Hassan Fouad Chapter 6. 1970–1979 Lebanese Civil War The Syrian School Migrating Designers of Iraq Design and Post Socialism in Egypt Third Generation Arab Designers Abdulkader Arnaout Burhan Karkoutli Helmi El-Touni Muhieldine Ellabad Dia Azzawi Chapter 7. 1980–1989 Arabic Typography Lebanese Pause Sudanese Designers in the Diaspora Design and the Search for a New Identity Design for Culture Design for the State Design for Consumerism Fourth Generation Arab Designers Kamil Hawwa Youssif Abdelki Emile Monem Mounir Shaarani Chapter 8. 1990–2000 Post-Lebanese War Influx of Talent New Graphic Design Programs Fresh Graphic Design Ateliers Rebirth of Arab Design The Artist Designs Conclusion Bibliography Index
