WinSoft Arabic Typography Contest
| Presentation | Prizes | Jury | Partners | Specifications | Awards |
Gallery & votes | Reglementation | Press |
Interview with jury member Nadine Chahine
Arabic specialist at Linotype
 |
WinSoft International is honoured by Nadine Chahine’s acceptance of our invitation to be on this year's jury. We took the opportunity to ask her some questions about the contest. She reveals her vision of typography in a very interesting way. Enjoy! 1. Why did you accept to be part of the WinSoft Arabic Typography Contest jury? What appealed to you? Winsoft has been doing a lot of great work to advance Arabic typography in the recent years and I admire all the effort that has gone into its products. I am honored to have been asked to be a juror for the contest and I am looking forward to the results. |
2. What does the theme of the WinSoft Arabic Typography Contest mean to you?
I think it is all about quality in Arabic typography. InDesign and Tasmeem are great tools, but to use them well, one needs to have a good understanding of Arabic typography and sensitivity as to how to design using the Arabic script. I am very pleased that the contest is not simply about how skilled one is regarding the use of the tool, but rather how to push this tool to come up with creative work.
3. What, in your opinion, are the main skills necessary to create a quality work of typographic design?
It takes a good understanding of typefaces and how they work, in which setting to use specific styles, and the way one can use a typeface to build a certain look. It is of course also important for one to have a good grasp of typographic hierarchies within a body of text, the concepts of layout design, and a good eye for detail. Most important is the relationship of black and white and the way positive and negative spaces interact.
4. What advice would you give to participants?
Design in stages! Do a bit of work, leave it for a while, then come back and look again. It's important to see your work with fresh eyes.
In case you feel blocked, take a walk in your favorite street and let your eyes wander. Inspiration is everywhere.
5. What are your expectations for the WinSoft Arabic Typography Contest?
I hope to see good solid designs, not a mixed salad of different typefaces though! It's not about how many typefaces one uses in a layout, but how all the elements blend together.
6. Where does your passion for typography come from?
A great teacher at the American University of Beirut: Samir Sayegh. He is an inspiration and he taught us to love the Arabic script and to appreciate its beauty. Respect for tradition, but the to have the guts to innovate and push the boundaries.
7. In your opinion, what will be the main trends in Arabic typography in the next few years?
Kufi is making a big come back. However, given that Tasmeem is opening up new possibilities, I think we will have a wider and more varied palette: traditional calligraphic designs one the one hand, and cutting edge contemporary typefaces on the other. It's a great time to be a designer :)
< Discover Aref Hijjawi's interview
< Discover Joe Karkour's interview
< Discover George Kandalaft's interview
< Back to jury presentation page
