Beirut is to host a first news design conference and workshop in the Gulf region in November, in a partnership between Arabic daily ‘An-Nahar’ and the Society for News Design.
Alastair Dant, lead interactive technologist from London’s Guardian News & Media has been named as keynote speaker.
The News Design Conference (Beirut, November 8-9) will address challenges of designing for multiple formats, and include focus sessions on newspaper design and redesign, information graphics and platforms such as web and tablet.
“It is a unique opportunity to have a dialogue with and meet professionals from the industry. Award-winning design professionals will share their experiences at the conference and highlight the best practices from around the world,” says SND regional director for Middle East and Africa Douglas Okasaki.
Confirmed speakers include Jonathon Berlin of Society for News Design, Ziad Kassis of ‘An Nahar’, Alastair Dant of The Guardian, independent designer Rana Abou Rjeily, Tarek Atrissi , Osama Al Jawish of ‘Times of Oman’ and ‘Al Shabiba’, Luis Chumpitaz of DMI, Adonis Durado of ‘Al Shabiba’ and ‘Times of Oman’ and Douglas Okasaki of ‘Gulf News’.
‘An-Nahar’ chief executive Nayla Tuéni says the conference will have a special meaning during times of great change in the media industry. “We are particularly excited about the event since SND is one of the best in the design industry.
“Through their presence in Dubai, they are trying to open up on the rest of the Middle East through Beirut, and for this, they have chosen ‘An-Nahar’ as their ambassador in Lebanon. This will allow other newspapers to benefit closely and first hand from the experience of the SND.”
Jonathon Berlin, Society for News Design president and graphics editor at ‘Chicago Tribune’, says SND is honoured to team with ‘An Nahar’ on the first news design conference in the Middle East: “Talking with designers, and teaching about designing the news has been part of SND for nearly 35 years and we've played host to this discussion all around the world, from China to Chile. “This has been a very important discussion for media companies of all shapes and sizes as technologies, the economy and the newsroom have changed.”
A workshop will also be part of the conference. It will conduct a practical analysis of participants’ products. It is a unique opportunity to work under the guidance of a trainer who will help correct practical problems in the daily workflow in the design department. Some topics as infographics, typography, colour, visual storytelling and layout structure are some of the design topics to be discussed.
Okasaki sees the conference as the start of an open conversation between publishers in the region. “We are planning more events and workshops on design issues not only for print but other platforms. The most important thing is sharing experiences with regional professionals. The region has strong potential and we need to explore all creativity and talent that still need to flourish and be developed.”
Dr Mario Garcia has collaborated with more than 573 publications over the past 40 years. He has also redesigned large publications such as the ‘Wall Street Journal’, ‘Die Zeit’, ‘Malayala Manorama’ and most recently ‘An- Nahar’ in Beirut. “Perhaps the area of the world where some of the most exciting things are happening in newspaper design at the moment is the Middle East,” he says. “I am constantly looking at the developments here, and I urge everyone to do the same. That is why I am so delighted to see that this conference will focus on the good work of editors and designers in the region."
More information, see www.snd20events.com or email snd20@snd20.org