1.
Ever since terrorism has been exclusively linked with Arabhood and Islam, a general fear towards the Arabic language has slowly developed in the West, growing into an irrational (albeit understandable) fear of anything that is written in the Arabic language.
It is understandable that anyone who lives in the West would associate something written in Arabic -a language uncommon to them- to be related, to say ISIS, since this may be the only common "representation" of an Arabic phrase known to them, and since Arabic isn't widely spoken beyond the MENA region.
However, this irrational generalisation understandably upsets Arabs as they see their language being discriminated, and in consequence, their identity becomes discriminated, associated with horrible acts. Hence, many individuals have started a movement towards reviving the language and challenging that fear, as we can see below. And they've gained quite a following.
Clockwise from top right: 2., 3., 4.
My project is basically a concept for a campaign that follows a similar direction - but the idea is to show the funny side of the Arabic language, to depict it in a friendly way (rather than make a statement which might arouse more fear), in an attempt to break the stereotype that associates it with terrorism or violence.
In doing this, I decided to play with the forms of Arabic letters themselves, making cute and friendly faces out of them, along with a message in Arabic as well as English, overall creating a visual statement which says "I'm not scary at all, I'm quite the opposite!".
Being a half-Arab, I used this friendly attitude also as a reference to common Arab generous hospitality which one would experience whether in Egypt or Saudi Arabia; whether with the poor or the rich. It is not merely a material generosity, but rather a pleasant and natural friendliness.
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I hope if you are reading this and were at any time fearful of the Arabic language, this would change your mind a little!
Credits:
Graphic Design (Poster/Layout, Illustration and Textile Design):
Yasmine Yusuf
29LT
Mockup Design:
GraphicBurger (https://graphicburger.com/canvas-tote-bag-mockup/?utm_source=PixelBuddha+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b4261c66e3-PixelBuddha_09_06_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b045a71ca8-b4261c66e3-186165497)
Images:
http://noisebreak.com/isis-suspect-planned-attack-kolkata-mother-house-kill-foreigners/
The design is to be printed on tote bags (which are very popular in the West) as well as posters, so the message can be literally carried around and reach more people!
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Thank you for watching! Feel free to press the pretty blue button below!
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شكرآً عالزيازة! دوس الزُرار الأزرق لو عجبك المشروع!
