Join us in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Huda AbiFares, the visionary founding director of the Khatt Foundation, who delves into her expansive work in multilingual typographic research and design. With roles spanning curator, writer, designer, and publisher, Dr. AbiFares shares her unique experiences and insights into the world of Arabic typography and its intersection with various cultures.

0:00 Intro
2:05 The Impact of a Nomadic Lifestyle
3:45 Journey from Lebanon to the World
4:30 Returning to Lebanon with a Global Perspective
7:35 Delving into the Arabic Script
13:01 Reflections on Arabic Typography Research
14:58 Unveiling the Khatt Foundation
20:37 Evolving Design in the 21st Century
24:13 Khatt's Role in Shaping Modern Design
26:01 The Fellowship of Typographers in the Arab World
29:17 Typographic Matchmaking: Bridging Cultures in Urban Spaces
36:15 Assessing Khatt's Impact Over a Decade
38:20 Future Challenges and Areas of Focus
39:30 Rapid-Fire Q&A Session
43:16 Clarifying Terminology: Arab World vs Middle East
45:24 Navigating Design Standards and Identities
49:47 Expanding Multi-Script Fonts and Inclusivity

Dr. Huda AbiFares is the esteemed founder and director of the Khatt Foundation, dedicated to advancing Arabic typography and design research across the Middle East, North Africa, and their diasporas. With an educational background that includes a PhD from Leiden University, an MFA from Yale University, and a BFA from RISD, Dr. AbiFares has positioned herself as a leading figure in multilingual typographic research. Her work, through the Khatt Foundation, has sparked significant discourse on the role of typography in cultural identity and cross-cultural communication, making her a pivotal figure in the contemporary design landscape.

Connect with Huda 👉 https://www.instagram.com/hudasmitshuijzen/

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/

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