From Letter to Language

​From Letters to Language
Exploring expressive lettering and letter motion between calligraphy and visual identity with a special focus on Arabic letterforms.

For Whom: All Creatives
Language: English

This session introduces participants to lettering as a creative process that moves beyond writing words into shaping visual meaning. Starting from the structure of Arabic letterforms and their relationship to typography, the webinar explores how letters can become visual systems for posters, identities, and contemporary communication.
A special focus will be placed on letter motion as a way to understand rhythm, direction, flow, and energy inside letterforms and how movement can transform static writing into expressive visual language.

What you will learn:

• ​How Arabic letterforms are structured and their relationship to typography;

• ​How to read the motion inside a letter: rhythm, direction, flow, and energy;

• ​Through examples from Ibrahim's practice you'll learn how traditional references can be translated into modern compositions and multilingual visual narratives;

• ​How to develop your own expressive lettering starting from a name or a single word.

​Host of the webinar:

Ibrahim Zaki is a multidisciplinary designer and calligrapher based in Dubai. Since 2008, his practice has explored Arabic typography, calligraphy, and visual identity across cultural, commercial, and artistic projects.

He has collaborated with brands and institutions including SQUATWOLF, On, Samsung, Ray-Ban, Leo Burnett, Oliver Wyman, and Landor. His work has been exhibited internationally and selected multiple times for the Hundred Best Arabic Posters. Ibrahim also teaches workshops and serves on the Anti-Type jury panel by Tasmeem at ICD Brookfield, Dubai.