by Wiebke Meyer-Lüters

Tarek Atrissi’s guest lecture last Thursday left a profound impact on me and my fellow second-year students. His personal journey as a type designer, from growing up in Lebanon to residing in multiple countries, was incredibly moving. Atrissi’s passion for Arabic typography was evident in the impactful work he created, including his redesign of Qatar’s national branding.

As someone who only has experience with the Roman alphabet, I was amazed to learn about the unique challenges and limitations that arise when designing for other types of languages. Atrissi’s use of calligraphy, lettering, and type design to create variable typefaces and flexible brand identities is truly innovative, as seen in his work for the Saudi Design Festival and the Islamic Arts Biennale.

Beyond his impressive design skills, Atrissi’s approach to life and design was very inspiring. He emphasized the importance of staying curious, continuously learning, and not being afraid to take risks. As someone about to graduate in a few weeks, his advice was invaluable, and I left the lecture feeling more confident in my own career path. Overall, it was an incredibly insightful and motivating experience, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from such a talented and accomplished designer.