Alumna Rana Shehabeddine on Crafting the Visual Identity of Zayed International Airport

Capturing the essence of Abu Dhabi was the main objective of this project, as the airport represents a gateway to the emirate and serves as its first impression. Looking for sources of inspiration that are intrinsic to the identity and visual culture of Abu Dhabi was the starting point for Shehabeddine and her team. 

The patterns were inspired by Islamic geometric designs and each pier was marked by a unique calligraphic signature. The design represents a fusion of geometric patterns and cultural identity, telling a story about tradition and timeless beauty. Evibes also customized intricate designs for tiles and carpets at key locations within the terminal, and created an Arabic font family to complement the Latin Frutiger, naming it Abu Dhabi. Through this, the team created a visually balanced and harmonious identity throughout.

“Evibes’ design contributed to the airport’s Terminal A becoming a global architectural icon and an inspiring new gateway to an increasingly interconnected world,” said Shehabeddine. 

The terminal earned prestigious awards, including a five-star recognition in the 2024 International Property Awards Arabia, and the Prix Versailles, the World Architecture and Design Award, as the world’s most beautiful airport. It was also selected as one of the sets for the film Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning–Part I, starring Tom Cruise. 

“It’s truly mesmerizing to see our work on the graphics and signage showcased in such a large-scale project,” said Shehabeddine. “Now more than ever, there is a pressing need for Arabic-speaking specialists in the type design industry and for culturally rooted environmental graphics, particularly in the rapidly developing regions of the Arab world,” she added. 

Shehabeddine further underlined the critical role of design education in the Arab world, emphasizing its value in empowering future generations to reclaim and celebrate their rich visual culture.