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“I believe that design can change the world” | Ghada Wali | 9273 Roots #20

She’s the first Egyptian woman on the Forbes Europe Arts list and a TED speaker who believes design can change the world. Ghada Wali discusses her award-winning Arabic typography, her famous project using LEGO to teach the alphabet, and her love for Naguib Mahfouz.

byGerald Drißner

February 27, 2020

A young woman with curly hair and red lips stands beside a statue resembling a dog-headed figure dressed in robes, against a mural depicting palm trees in the background.

Last updated 1 year ago.

Named to the Forbes Europe 30 Under 30 list and a featured TED speaker, Ghada Wali is a force in the world of graphic design.

From her base in Cairo, the founder of Wali’s Studio operates on a global stage with a clear conviction: that design has the power to change the world. At the heart of her internationally acclaimed work – from award-winning Arabic typography to an innovative project that uses LEGO to teach the alphabet – lies a deep connection to her language and a desire to see it represented with beauty and creativity.

Ghada Wali

غادة

Close-up portrait of a young woman with curly hair and blue eyes, wearing a white top and a green cardigan, against a softly blurred background.

The woman who uses LEGO to teach Arabic

Date of birth: 14th November 1989
Place of birth: Cairo, Egypt

Place of residence: Cairo, Egypt
Website: https://ghadawali.com

Who is Ghada Wali?

Ghada Wali took part in TED Speaker (Idea Search) in Nairobi 2017 – she was the youngest female speaker representing MENA region. She believes that graphic design can change the world.
The multiple-award-winning designer developed an Arabic typeface that was chosen as one of the best 100 graphic design pieces in the world by the Society of Typographic Arts in Chicago. Her work has been featured in art exhibits around the world and showcased in various articles internationally such as the World Economic Forum.
Most importantly, Wali made it to Forbes Europe’s List 2017 (Arts & Immigrants category) which makes her the first Egyptian woman ever to appear in this category.

ghada wali 3 — Ghada Wali – one of the most influential designers and speakers in the Arab world.
photo credit: Ghada Wali

How would you introduce yourself to someone who doesn’t know you?

I am the founder of Wali’s Studio. I’m a human, designer, and artist who believes that design can change the world.

What was your first Arabic grammar book?

It was called التلميذ.

silah talmeedh

What is your favorite Arabic book (novel, etc.)?

Karnak Café by Naguib Mahfouz (1974).

What is the story?

Yūsuf Idrīs (يوسف إدريس) was an Egyptian playwright and novelist (1927 – 1991) who is often viewed as the father of the Arabic short story. He mixed colloquial dialect with classical Arabic narration. His main topics were stories about ordinary villagers. Yūsuf Idrīs studied medicine and supported the nationalist struggle in the 1950s.

He was nominated for the Nobel Prize for literature more than once – but never got it. When the prize went to Naguib Mahfouz (1988), Yūsuf Idrīs – as it was told – felt that he had been passed over because of his outspoken views on Israel.

How much time does a native speaker of English need to master Arabic?

It depends on the character, I believe we should tailor methods to individuals rather than masses.

Ghada – giving a TED talk. She explains how she used LEGO to teach Arabic.
source: youtube

What is your favorite Arabic word?

حُبّ (love)

Which Arabic word do you like least?

None.

Cairo — Cairo © by Gerald Drißner

Which Arabic dialect do you like best?

Egyptian Arabic.

What is your favorite Arabic colloquial word or expression?

O Lord! (يا رَبّ)

What is your favorite Arabic quote or proverb?

A quote by Ibn ʿArabī (ابن عربي):

قد كنت قبل اليوم أنكر صاحبي

إذا لم يكن ديني إلى دينه داني

لقد صار قلبي قابلا كل صورة

فمرعى لغزلان ودير لرهبان

وبيت لأوثان وكعبة طائف

وألواح توراة ومصحف قرآن

أدين بدين الحب أني توجهت ركائبه

فالحب ديني وإيماني

In elder days, I denied my friend,
If my own religion leaned not unto his.
But my heart has now transformed, to harbor all forms:
It is a meadow for gazelles, and a monastery for monks,
A pantheon of idols, and a pilgrim’s Kaaba,
A Torah’s tablets, and a Quran’s text.
Love’s creed is my credo, wherever I am or love is
There Love is my one true religion and belief.

Who was Ibn Arabi?

Muhyī el-Dīn Ibn ʿArabī (1165-1240) was born in Moorish Spain. He is perhaps the most famous Muslim philosopher. Western scholars usually say that he was a “Sufi” – but he himself never said that. His work is deeply rooted in Islamic sources (Qur’an, Hadiths).

He has profoundly influenced the development of Islam since his time, as well as significant aspects of the philosophy and literature of the West. His wisdom has much to offer us in the modern world in terms of understanding what it means to be human. Over 800 works are attributed to him (of which 100 survived in the original manuscript). His largest work (originally published in 37 volumes) is called The Meccan Illuminations.

It deals with a wide range of topics from mystical philosophy to Sufi practices and records of his dreams/visions. Ibn ʿArabī travelled extensively in the Islamic world and died in Damascus in 1240 AD (638 AH). Ibn ‘Arabi’s work remained unknown in the Western World until modern times.

What is the best thing that was ever said about the Arabic language?

A quote by Taha Hussein (طه حسين):

اللغة العربية .. لغة رصينة… ألفاظها مصقولة… تصور بها صفاء اللغة … تملاء ألفاظها الفم … لها رنين تحبها الأذن… ولا يضيق بها الذوق… ولا ينفر منها الطبع

The Arabic language… a thoughtful language… the purity of the language, visualized by its words… its words filling the mouth…. it has a sound the ears like… and does not narrow the taste… and does not repulse its temperament.

What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?

“It is about the journey, not the destination.”

Which three people would you like to invite for dinner?

I would choose my family every time!

What was the last great meal you had?

My mom’s Pasta.

What is your favorite city?

Florence, Italy.

Which book would you give to a dear friend?

A book I just designed.

What is your all-time favorite movie?

Disney movies!

What music do you listen to?

I listen to all genres.

When were you happiest?

At university.

What is your greatest fear?

Losing a loved one.

ghada wali 2 — Ghada Wali – a designer living in Cairo.
picture credit: Ghada Wali

What is your life motto?

Turn pain into production.

Ghada Wali, thank you for your time.

CALL FOR SUGGESTIONS: Who should we interview soon?

Do you know an interesting person who has a special relationship with the Arabic language? Then tell us why we should interview this person!

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Wanna cite this article?

Citation style

Drißner, G. (2020, February 27). “I believe that design can change the world” | Ghada Wali | 9273 Roots #20. Arabic for Nerds. https://arabic-for-nerds.com/interviews/9273-roots/interview-ghada-wali/

Published: February 27, 2020

Please check the citation before use, especially if your style guide has local requirements.

Publication ISSN: 3055-1730

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TL;DR: The Core, Compressed

Reading time00:04:35

Ghada Wali is a Cairo-based graphic designer, artist, founder of Wali's Studio, and Forbes Europe 30 Under 30 honoree who believes design can change the world.
Her work includes award-winning Arabic typography and a project that uses LEGO to teach the Arabic alphabet.
Wali was the youngest female speaker representing the MENA region in the 2017 TED Speaker Idea Search in Nairobi.
In the interview, she names Egyptian Arabic as her favorite dialect, حب as her favorite Arabic word, and love as a central theme through a quote by Ibn Arabi.
She cites Naguib Mahfouz’s “Karnak Café” as her favorite Arabic book and says her life motto is “Turn pain into production.”

Distilled by AI.

This post was published on February 27, 2020 and is over 6 years old. It was last updated 1 year ago. If you find outdated information, please let us know.

Author

Gerald Drißner

Gerald Drißner (Drissner) has lived in Arab and Islamic countries for more than a decade. He is the founder of Arabic for Nerds.

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