{2013}

What! Are we just 2 days away from 2013?! Yes I decided to just pop in ever so nonchalantly (my new word this year) after months of hibernating. It's been a crazy year, this 2012. So what better way to start the new year with some fun and party straws! Oh typography, you never fail to make me happy

image: Typography Served

Kashida

When it comes to Arabic type, very few designers can master it. Now arabic type fused with furniture and that is one gold mine of an idea. Kashida has effortlessly designed a product and furniture line inspired entirely by Arabic letterforms. Embracing the various calligraphic and typographic styles of Arabic, these products are definitely making their way onto my summer wishlist.

pop coloured coasters making up the 29 letters of the Arabic alphabet. One 'noon' please

 'Helem' bookcase, spelling out the Arabic word for dream

lounge chairs in the form of the Arabic letters M and Ta

fancy tissue boxes with Arabic lettered covers

A to the R to the T

It's March Art Madness in Dubai right now, everything art and design has been crammed in these two weeks; panel talks, exhibitions, workshops, exhibitions, film screenings, pop-up stores it's all here. Today, I've been drooling over this pop-up shop in Beirut, by arabic kitsch Lebanese designer Rana Salam.

the pink wall pattern, the Pepsi Cola stools, the blue 'Share' 49' pillow.. I want it all!

a little bit of retro cushioned posters won't hurt my studio

a mixmatch of  Umm Kalthoum, Chiclets brooches & iphone covers

the pop-up shop at the Beirut Souks, Lebanon

A dose of colour

An explosion of colour is exactly what I need to wake me up today, add that with folded paper and that's my cup of tea well served.

T; a simple package that opens up with an explosion of colour where each little tea bag is a delicate
piece of folded paper art

love this geometric composition paper art

colorful paper fans, who needs flowers anymore?

Images via: www.packaginguqam.com; Babble; Bekka Palmer

365 - BilArabi

I just came across this lovely set of calendars - it's very hard to find good arabic typography design, but I can definitely say this set of posters will keep me satisfied for about hmm 10 more months.
Representing the main character for each month in a contemporary arabic design, Mohamed Labib illustrated them with an added humour of original egyptian slang that reflects their monthly insights (excuse my literal egyptian arabic - english translation, it sounds a bit off).

                                             {2011} love the color combination at work here  |  {February} stay modest

{March} give your mother a call  |  {April} stop lying

{June} give yourself a break  |  {July} don't forget your swimming gear

{Augustl} seriously, same as every year?  |  {September} don't go over the bridge

 

Poster designs by: Mohamed Labib

Under the stars

Wait. Did I actually stop procrastinating and finally do something I've been planning and wishing and listing to do for like ever. Yay me! I'm definitely liking the new year me. On the 14th of January, outdoor movie night was officially scheduled in. And for once the weather tolerated with us, we had a cool 20°C weather and polka-dotted starry night. I can totally see this making its way into my calendar every other week. But the hardest part was choosing the movie, seriously, we even ended up watching something else other than our first choice (we were going for a french movie night but then turned into a romcom).

the set-up: I went for a cosy-buried-under-layers-of-cushions-and-blankets look... it was a bit of a challenge trying to squeeze all the mattresses and beanbags without tripping into the pool. And my baby brother warming up the beanbags

strawberry cheesecake cupcakes for desserts; personalized french themed coffee cups with hot chai karak (oh well at least the cups were still french); the movie projected on the wall

a little bit of candles and junk to set the mood