You’re invited to the Virtual Final Review of GRD 406: Design Studio, under the theme “Pulling the Thread,” on Monday, May 4, 2026. Celebrating the end of Spring ’26, this showcase unravels a tapestry of capstone work from students graduating in Graphic Design at @caadaus .
Join us! Zoom link in bio.
Faculty: Hala Al-Ani
Students: Leena Ulaiwi, Jana Taha, Shalina Siddiqui, Lina Abbasi, Farida Mohamed, Thuraya Ezzulddin, Mariam Alhashmi, Hajar Abdulrashid, Lyan Al-Mutawakel, Tamara Abushullaih, Sally Dardari, Deema Abdalrahman, Abdulrahman Shehata
Sharing my work exhibited at the A. M. Qattan Foundation, Palestine, as part of Lines of Grief: مدونات عن الحزن, within the project Elegiac Whispers, curated by @amin.alsaden
Each designer was invited to interpret a segment of Arabic poetry typographically. My contribution is based on the poem:
أخي يا ابنَ هذا الترابِ الحزينِ
أتسمعُ مثلي أنينَ الترابْ
الشاعر الفلسطيني معين بسيسو، من قصيدة "المهاجرون"
O brother, son of this sorrowful soil
Do you hear, as I do, the soil’s groan?
Palestinian poet Muin Bseiso, from the poem “Al-Muhajirun” (“The Migrants”)
Grateful to be showing alongside friends and some of my favorite designers.
@qattanfoundation
رفيقة الدرب زيزي
Sixteen years of bliss and unconditional love. You will be greatly missed, Zizi. Thank you for taking care of us, especially mom, during times of hardship. We will love you forever ❤️
Don’t miss Paper Alchemy Station at Dubai Design Week!
Showcasing outcomes from the Papermaking Course at the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD), American University of Sharjah, this exhibition explores paper as both a medium and a material for design.
Through hands-on experimentation, students recycled materials, created handmade paper, and developed innovative works in papermaking, inkless printing, and material exploration.
📍 Six Degrees Offsite Exhibition, Building 9, Dubai Design District
📅 November 4–9, 2025
@caadaus@dubaidesignweek
Faculty:
Hala Al-Ani
Fall 2025 Students:
Dima Riyad Abdelhadi
Shamma Humaid Almheiri
Fatma Ali Alnuaimi
Shamsa Hamad Alshaali
Eman Khalid Alsuwaidi
Noora Ahmad Lootah
Hala Mohamad El Khatib
Maria Huzaifa Halai
Sakina Adnan Halai
Farida Murtaza Kagalwala
Zeina Ahmad Khalaf
Ghazal Suleiman
Larissa Arkadan
Fall 2024 Students:
Tala Husam Al Ali
Judi Hassan Al Hourani
Mariam Abdalla Aljuwaied
Mariam Sultan Alqasimi
Maha Hassan Arafat
Engy Amr Asar
Maitha Rashid Binfahd
Roudha Ahmad Bu Abdulla
Noorzada Moheeb Darwish
Nagham Mohamed Elbaz
Thuraya Ahmed Ezzulddin
Leena Mazin Fadhil
Tamara Ayad Khalaf
Beesan Issa Awad Odtallah
Hafsah Qureshi
Kamar Tello Alnachawati
Abeer Fatima Zaidi
We start the alphabet with the letter "A", designed by @halalani :
"The letterform combines a wide range of modules to create a dynamic and engaging visual presence. By integrating both rounded and straight-edge shapes, it achieves a balanced contrast that emphasizes the interplay between smooth curves and sharp lines. Meticulously constructed with a heavy overall weight, the letterform incorporates intricate details that add richness. Additionally, the symmetrical composition enhances its distinctive character and complexity."
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Hala Al-Ani, born in Iraq in 1986 and raised in the UAE, co-founded Mobius Design Studio in Sharjah. She holds a BSc in Visual Communication from the American University of Sharjah, an MDes in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois Chicago, and an MA in Iconic Research from the Basel School of Design. An Assistant Professor at the American University of Sharjah, her work explores overlooked design narratives, focusing on Arabic typography and graphic design. She has showcased her work in renowned venues such as the Istanbul Design Biennial and has won awards, including Best in Show at the Typography Annual Communication Arts Competition.
You’re cordially invited to attend VIS 406 exhibition “Looking Closer,” a showcase of capstone projects asking questions about the rituals, systems, and structures that make us who we are. Join us in our journey from the micro to the macro, and everything in between.
Date & Time
April 30th, 2025 | 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Location
CAAD – AD2 Atrium @caadaus
Students
Tamara Khalaf • Joudi Mahroum • Beesan Odtallah • Hala Orabi • Hafsah Qureshi • Hannan Arshad • Engy Asar • Noorzada Darwish • Nagham Elbaz • Omer Elsiddig • Abeer Zaidi • Kamar Alnachawati • Tala Al Ali • Judi Al Hourani • Mariam Alqasimi • Hind Al Shaali • Maha Arafat
Faculty
Hala Al-Ani
“Hello World” is a deep dive into the intersection of Arabic typography and creative coding. The exhibition features experimental works by CAAD alumni Sally Mallat, Ali Al Saqban, and Mahmoud Hamdy, each reimagining the Arabic script through a digital lens—offering an experience that is bold, playful, and deeply imaginative.
From generative typography to interactive installations, these works explore the rhythm, geometry, and expressive potential of Arabic letterforms.
“Hello World” invites you to see language not merely as text, but as form, movement, and meaning.
Join us for the opening on April 14, 2025, at 6:00 PM in CAAD AD2 Atrium. The exhibition runs through April 21, 2025.
Supervising Faculty: Naz Naddaf, Riem Hassan, and Hala Al-Ani
Art and Design Department
@naznaddaf@ri.em@halalani@wakemeatthree@mahmouddd4@sallymal19@caadaus
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Paper Jam at Hobb
Join us for Paper Jam, an exhibition showcasing works from the American University of Sharjah’s (AUS) inaugural papermaking course, taught by Hala Al-Ani within the College of Architecture, Art, and Design (CAAD). Hosted at Hobb Design & Visual Culture Bookshop, founded by CAAD alumna Haifa Malhas.
📅 Exhibition Dates: 21.02 - 02.03
📍 Venue: Hobb Design & Visual Culture Bookshop
🎉 Opening: 21.02 at 5:30 PM
Supervising Faculty: Hala Al-Ani
Participating Students:
Tala Husam Al Ali, Judi Hassan Al Hourani, Mariam Abdalla Aljuwaied, Mariam Sultan Alqasimi, Maha Hassan Arafat, Engy Amr Asar, Maitha Rashid Binfahd, Roudha Ahmad Bu Abdulla, Noorzada Moheeb Darwish, Nagham Mohamed Elbaz, Thuraya Ahmed Ezzulddin, Leena Mazin Fadhil, Tamara Ayad Khalaf, Beesan Issa Awad Odtallah, Hafsah Qureshi, Kamar Tello Alnachawati, Abeer Fatima Zaidi.
