The Concept
Around the World in 80 Characters is a global type conference series that celebrates typography’s role in culture and design. For its latest event, Ascend Beyond the Limits, I developed a bold, immersive brand identity inspired by the host city, Dubai, a place where creativity and ambition know no bounds!
The Project
This year’s conference theme, Ascend Beyond the Limits, draws from both typography and the city itself. The name references the ascender in type anatomy, mirroring Dubai’s towering skyline and limitless possibility. I designed the event’s branding to reflect this sense of upward movement and innovation, creating a cohesive experience across digital and print platforms. From a dynamic website and striking posters to engaging event merchandise, every piece was designed to inspire designers to push the boundaries of typography in new and unexpected ways!
At the heart of the conference identity is a custom-designed typographic system that captures the essence of Dubai. I created the letterforms by hand, weaving them together in an intricate, interlocking style inspired by Arabic calligraphy while incorporating geometric precision to reflect the city’s modern architecture. This fusion of tradition and innovation allowed the typography to embody both the artistry of calligraphic forms and the structured beauty of Dubai’s skyline, making it a true visual representation of the conference’s theme and purpose.
View my work below or check out the process book for more details!
