A visual balance between the two languages, arabic and english logo design


Logo Design Beirut, Lebanon

To understand logo design in Beirut would entail a thorough reflection on Lebanese society, specifically Beirut, the bubbling capital of the country. Who are the Lebanese? Are they descendants of the Phoenicians or Assyrians, or are they Arabs? For decades the Lebanese have engaged in an ongoing dispute of their origins; the intricate mélange of 18 distinct Christian and Muslim sects explains the countrys reputation as the hub of diversity in the Middle East.

One may question whether speaking of society is directly related to logo design, one of the most common forms of graphic design. The logo, being the symbol of a company, institution, etc must reflect the clients identity and message. In Lebanon, there are many brand identities and a multitude of messages. It is an area with strong Islamic presence, which brings into design primarily its arabesque motifs and, of course, various forms of Khatt or handwriting. There is much to work with; floral and squared Kufi rooted in the culture of Arabs and Islam has found its way into the modern typographic scene, namely in logo design. Kufi no longer says Muslim but rather Arab, or even Middle Eastern.

To say the least the Lebanese population is bi-lingual, yet a large part speaks three languages: Arabic, French and English. In the design world this is reflected through the use of the Arabic letterform side by side with its Latin counterpart. Naturally, many logos created here in Lebanon must communicate in at least two languages, paving the way for the fledgling scene of typographic matchmaking. Graphic designers seek visual balance between the two languages; many logos created today use the works of type designers who have adapted Arabic typefaces to match Latin ones.

Lebanese designers exist in an atmosphere where the western merges with the eastern. As this unique blend reflects in graphic design in general it is quite obvious in logo design. Especially popular today is the use of traditional handmade calligraphy in its various styles, refining the spontaneous gestures of the calligrapher into clear logos with much presence. The beauty resides in the merging of the more traditional typography with young, fresh digital typefaces and Latin letterforms to create a logo which echoes the unique mélange of Lebanese society.

Mirna Hamady

For more information on your arabic and english logo design project please contact our Beirut Office:

961 70 700 958

[email protected]

Or our London Office:

44 (0)8000 58 24 50