Workshop · Nihad Taisir

Arabic Calligraphy & Typography with AI

إنتاج لوحة بالخط أو التايبوغرافي العربي باستخدام الذكاء الاصطناعي

Create an artwork using Arabic calligraphy or typography, supported by AI tools and guided design judgement. Develop the text, composition and visual treatment, review the Arabic carefully, then finish a digital artwork online or produce a printed artwork during the in-person workshop.

Arabic calligraphy artwork reading بسم الله نبدأ
Illustrative artwork created with ArabicDesign.ai; participant results vary.
Duration
4 hours online / 6 hours in person
Delivery
Live online or in person
Group
Up to 10 online / 12 in person
Outcome
Digital artwork or an A3 print

What participants
will take away.

Online: a finished digital artwork in PNG and PDF. In person: one finished A3 print per participant, plus its digital master. Both include a checked source text and selected development stages. Framing and mounting are optional extras.

  • Distinguish calligraphic expression from typographic composition and select a suitable direction.
  • Prepare accurate Arabic text and evaluate AI outputs critically.
  • Refine hierarchy, spacing, colour and visual treatment.
  • Prepare an appropriate digital export or check and produce a physical print.

Who the program
is designed for.

Designers, visual artists, content creators and adults interested in Arabic visual expression.

Before attending

Basic computer skills and working accounts activated before class. Arabic reading sufficient for text review, or a designated Arabic-reading reviewer. Participants should bring a short non-sensitive text.

The learning
sequence.

Online: 4 hours including 30 minutes of breaks; may be split into two 2-hour sessions. In person: proposed 6-hour studio day including 45 minutes of breaks, file preparation and supervised printing. Printing setup and test runs occur before the session.

In-person studio day

  • Introduction, references and choice of calligraphy or typography
  • Composition, hierarchy and Arabic letter relationships
  • Prepare and verify a short source text
  • Demonstrate generation and controlled lettering workflows
  • Develop the individual artwork
  • Review Arabic text and refine the composition
  • Prepare the A3 file and approve a proof
  • Supervised print production, inspection and final adjustments
  • Display, reflection and handover

Live online edition

One finished digital artwork in PNG and PDF, plus a reviewed source-text sheet and selected process stages. No physical print is supplied.

  • Calligraphy, typography and composition
  • Prepare and verify the text
  • Demonstrate AI and controlled-text options
  • Generate, compare and develop alternatives
  • Audit letters, dots, joins and reading order
  • Refine the selected artwork
  • Export the final digital composition
  • Review, feedback and presentation

Plan the room,
tools and materials.

Organizer arrangements

Power, reliable internet, projection and technical support. For the in-person edition, provide an on-site print technician and sufficient tested printer capacity to complete the cohort within the scheduled production block, with spare ink/paper and a failure plan. Agree whether the organizer or Nihad procures these separately priced services.

Resources and facilitation

Teaching brief, examples of calligraphic and typographic approaches, Arabic text-review checklist, composition guidance, print-preparation guidance and final artwork review. Provide permission-cleared fallback lettering if generation is inaccurate.

Session setup

One device per person, tables with power and a separate print area. Nihad teaches and reviews artwork; the print technician manages production and the host handles attendance and access. Maximum 12 in person and 10 online.

An outcome suited
to the occasion.

The online edition ends with a digital artwork. The studio edition includes a physical print, with production tested and agreed before the session.

A compact employee-event format can also be scoped around a smaller framed print. Duration, participant numbers, assistant support, platform access and printing are confirmed together in the proposal.

Questions before
planning a session.

Is this a traditional calligraphy class?

The workshop develops Arabic calligraphic or typographic artwork through design decisions and AI-assisted exploration. It does not replace traditional pen-based calligraphy training.

How is the Arabic text checked?

Participants compare the result with the source text and review letters, dots, joins and reading order. Unreliable lettering is corrected or replaced before the artwork is finished.

What is included in the printed edition?

The general studio edition plans for one A3 print and a digital master. Other sizes, paper, framing and compact event formats are confirmed in the individual proposal.

Led by Nihad Taisir.

Nihad Taisir Nadam is a Dubai-based Creative Director and Arabic Branding Expert with more than 25 years of professional experience. His practice connects Arabic and bilingual identity, typography, digital calligraphy and Arabic script technology.

Shape a program for your audience.

Share the audience, learning objectives, participant numbers, preferred dates and location or online format. The curriculum, materials and delivery arrangements are agreed before booking.

Use the invitation form and mention the program or experience. An enquiry does not confirm a booking.