ARABIC TYPOGRAPHY IN THE CURRICULUM: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST

Arabic typography has recently been developing and flourishing at a very rapid pace. In 2000, the first comprehensive book on Arabic Typography came out. Following that, a number of publications on the topic have entered the market on a yearly basis. In 2004, Ms. Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFares, founded the Khatt Foundation as an online creative network for the region, which has promoted and further encouraged projects and events (from conferences and seminars to exhibitions), and advancing research related to Arabic Typography. Moreover, over the last fifteen years, unprecedented attention has been given to Arabic typeface design, experimental Arabic type, and bilingual treatments of type.

In light of these developments, this paper explores how Arabic typography is embedded in higher education curricula, through case studies from two institutions in the Eastern Arab region. Learning outcomes, project briefs, and samples of student works are presented, along with comparisons and general observations. The methods employed consist of literature review, interviews, and content analysis. Analyses of students’ projects are discussed to uncover some of the obstacles student face and suggest possible solutions. Techniques used in the making are also presented: these vary from hand-drawn type and hand-made/sculpted 3-dimensional letterforms, to digitally produced typography projects with vector-based and bitmap software.

We conclude with perspectives on challenges and opportunities currently faced in the instruction of Arabic typography, in parallel to industry requirements. Among these is an increased need for restructuring the design curricula in the region in a more innovative manner, while keeping up with international standards.