A Senior Designer of Al Shabiba and Times of Oman newspaper in Muscat . Osama has received several awards from the SND Creative Competition, including gold and a JSR (judge’s special recognition).
Born and raised in Syria, he received his bachelors of Arts degree from Damascus University. He is a member of Fine Artists Association of Syria.
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SND meets Arabian design
The Society for News Design (SND) has expanded its portfolio of publications, offering designers in the region a niche read
A desire to nurture and develop news media design in the Middle East led to the launch of “SND 20”, the region’s own design-focused magazine affiliated with the Society for News Design (SND). In line with the SND’s mission, the publication looks to showcase the region’s talent and encourage professionals to push the boundaries on visual journalism.
The launch of “SND 20” coincided with the SND Award exhibition, another first for the region as the annual event made its Middle Eastern debut. Award-winning examples of regional news design were exhibited at the event, which took place on November 20 at the American University of Sharjah. Steve Dorsey, President of SND, described the exhibition as an “eye-opener”, and expressed his hopes for the quality of work showcased to inspire others.
“Not much attention is paid to newspapers and everything that goes into producing them remains largely unknown. An exhibit that presents all the nuances that constitute what goes into the design of a newspaper is necessary. The fact that this exhibition profiled the terrific work of newspapers in the Middle East makes this type of event even more desirable,” said Dorsey.
“For the newspapers in the region that are still not up to speed in terms of design, this exhibition is an eye-opener to all the possibilities,” he added.
Profound innovation and unique flair have seen many professionals from the Middle East receive international acclaim. Considering the amount of talent the region has to offer, it only seems right that the Middle East has its own niche title, explains Douglas Okasaki, Regional Director, SND. “We hope that a dedicated magazine will serve as a convenient platform for creative minds to get to know each other. Through exposure, we look to not only highlight the rich talent here but spur creativity and development,” says Okasaki.
The magazine, set to be published quarterly, will cover the latest in industry news as well as some of the not-to-be-missed Arts and Culture events. The content will be driven by interviews with key players in news media design and features focused on some of the hottest trends.
About SND:
Founded in 1979, SND is a non-profit international organisation for news media professionals and visual communicators. It is specifically for those who create print, web or mobile publications and products. SND has around 1,500 members worldwide, comprising artists, designers, editors, reporters, illustrators, photographers and code writers.
For all inquiries, please contact SND Regional Director Douglas Okasaki on +971 50 257 1639. Alternatively, e-mail snd20@snd20.org.
Exhibition to showcase creative newspaper designs
Steve Dorsey, president of the US-based Society for News Design, is expected to speak on the evolution of newspaper design in UAE and open the official Best of News Design exhibition in the American University of Sharjah(AUS).
The exhibit, which will be held in the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) gallery at AUS from Nov. 20 - Dec.1, will feature award winning work from the MENA region by publications such as The Gulf News, The National, Al Bayan and Times of Oman.
The displays are selected from The Best of News Design Creative Competition and the award winners are featured in the 37th annual book, The Best of News Design. The Society for News Design, founded in the United States in 1979, and the Newhouse School of Communication at Syracuse University sponsor the annual Best of News Design competition, as well as related exhibitions and publications.
At the AUS event, Gulf News will present some of the best designed pages published last year.
Dr Mario Garcia, from Garcia Media and responsible for the first Gulf News redesign, says: “Right now, with so much emphasis placed on digital media, I can see how an exhibit that makes newspapers the protagonist is a very good idea. Many people know newspapers as household items, like they do a chair, a table or a fork. Not much attention is paid to them.”
“For the newspapers in the region that are still not up to speed in terms of design, the exhibit will be an eye opener to all the possibilities,” he adds.
Lucie Lacava, responsible for the redesign of The National and Al Ittihad in Abu Dhabi, says: “Newspapers in the Middle East have reasons to celebrate the extraordinary work from the region.”
“This exhibition brings to light the importance of visual journalism in the storytelling process. From page design, to photography, illustration and info-graphics, in just a couple of years these papers managed to reach the highest standards of visual excellence, an accomplishment which often takes decades to reach elsewhere,” she says.
According to Lacava, “The challenge now is not only to maintain this lead and level of creativity, but to also apply it to other platforms, since newspapers can no longer rely on the print version alone. But in doing so they must remember to maintain and enforce their loyalty to the brand, as they evolve into other mediums.”
The exhibit opens on Nov. 20 at 5pm in the CAAD gallery and runs till Dec. 1. The opening will feature a round-table discussion in the CAAD auditorium on the state of news design in the region.
“What is most impressive is the degree to which newspapers in the region have plainly made intelligent, innovative design core to their missions,” says Stephen Komives, SND’s executive director. “It is not seen as a luxury but a central value. And it is not confined to a single paper or country, but continuing to spread throughout the region.”
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What: Best of News Design from the Mideast
Where: The American University of Sharjah
When: The exhibit opens Sunday, 20 November at 5:00 in the CAAD gallery. Sunday’s opening will feature a round table discussion in the CAAD auditorium on the state of news design in the MENA region.
Participants will include:
Steve Dorsey, President, Society of News Design
Douglas Okasaki, SND Regional Director, region 20- ME and Africa
Miguel Gomez, ArtDirector, Gulf News
Laura Koot, Managing Editor, The National
Adonis Durado, Design Director, Times of Oman
Luis Chumpitas, Art Director, Al Bayan
More information snd20@snd20.org
