NOTICE:

Amid the ongoing regional situation the university has moved to remote operations and public access to its premises are not available. Information on scheduled activities will be communicated to individuals directly.

37) Arabic Type Design Basics

About this Class Materials needed Schedule Instructors Register

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About this class

This introductory class is designed to provide participants with the skills required to design full Arabictypefaces in an attempt to compensate for the scarcity of available Arabic type design resources. This is aparticularly useful class for graphic designers, typographers, educators, calligraphers and even designparticipants or, in fact, anyone with a keen interest in Arabic type design. This class will guide theparticipants through the entire process of developing a basic, yet functional, Arabic font. The class willmake use of plenty of visual presentations, digital and freehand workshops and demonstrations of specialtechniques related to Arabic digital lettering and calligraphy.

Class Outline
  • An introduction to the history of Arabic script, letters, and calligraphy
  • General typographic terminologies, anatomy, and principles
  • Arabic writing system and its exclusiveness
  • Sketching and ideation of the initial letters
  • Important considerations when making design decisions for Arabic type
  • Translating lettering into digital form using Adobe Illustrator
  • The basics of using “Glyphs App” font authoring software
  • Creating the Arabic basic glyphs set, and using components
  • Exporting and testing the basic Arabic font in Adobe applications

Materials needed

Please note: VCUQatar reserves the right to cancel classes for which not enough participants are registered. Already paid fees will be refunded.

Please do not purchase materials until VCUQatar has sent final course confirmation.

Items to buy for this class

  • The class will be taught in English (Arabic explanations will be made available when needed).
  • Participants must have their own laptops (Mac OS X 10.9.5 or later required) with Adobe Illustrator installed.
  • Participants are expected to be experienced in using Adobe Illustrator or an equivalent vectordrawing program under the Mac operating system.
  • Participants are expected to know the basics of typography.
  • Participants should have a general idea yet passionate about Arabic letterform.
  • Due to the timings of the classes and the nature of the subject, there will be homework required.

On occasions, there may be some more materials to be bought and brought in if and when advised by the instructor.

Where to buy your materials

Most of the materials are available from any art supply shop, for example:
  • Cass Art (Fire station): Community Classes students get a 15% discount upon presenting the registration ticket
  • Jarir Bookstore: on Rayyan Road or Salwa Road
  • Color Note: on Al Nasser Street
  • Ibn Al Qayyim: at Markhiya Roundabout
  • Al Rawnaq

Schedule

Start: Sun, 17 Mar, 2019
End: Sun, 28 Apr, 2019
Lessons: 13
Days: Sundays and Wednesdays
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: VCUQatar
Cost: 1750

Instructors

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Mr. Ahmad Kassem AlHindi

Ahmad is an entirely self­ driven multifaceted, award winning typographer, type researcher and independent branding design director. He has various artistic skills and about two decades of professional experience to his name. His typography skills are extensive and so too is his knowledge of typography. Recently, he developed QF Arabic typeface (an exclusive Arabic font to be used by Qatar Foundation Marketing and Communications), and the HBKU Arabic bespoke typeface. He has a number of other currently ongoing typography projects.

Ahmad is widely known in the region for his ability to utilize Arabic calligraphy and typography in contemporary branding and design. He is also known for providing effective solutions for bilingual typographic design challenges.

Throughout his career he has worked with leading regional and some international agencies on high profile clients and projects. His design work has been published in many countries including Germany, Egypt, UAE, Qatar, Oman, and KSA.

Ahmad has over 6 years of professional training experience in the field of design related computer packages and holds many training certifications in addition to being an Adobe Certified Instructor in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator CC.

Register

To register for this course, access the form.

Register now