For this project, I had the opportunity to work on several pieces as part of the
Gulf News Design team. Also worked on the creation of masters and color palettes for the infographics as well as the book cover, all in collaboration with the Art Director, Miguel Angel Gomez. I would like to deeply thank to Mr Abdul Hamid, Editor in Chief of Gulf News, Francis Matthew and Iona Stanley, due to their big passion, skills and knowledge,
this project was completed successfully.
THE FORMATION OF THE SEVEN EMIRATES
In a tribal society there was no necessity for rigorously defined borders. The first demands for territorial clarity came from the oil companies in the 1930s who were looking for oil and needed clear concession rights from the rulers. The British authorities also wanted to help clarify sovereignty and authority, and from the 1930s to the 1960s a series of officials helped to mediate and define what eventually became the border of the UAE’s emirates. The ultimate decisions lay with the Rulers themselves, who continued to sort out the remaining problems till they reached the certainty of the modern UAE.
Hi-Res version HERE.
THE OIL INDUSTRY
The story of oil in the UAE started with a search for fresh water. In the 1930s, Abu Dhabi was a small sandy fishing village, with small settlements. The UAE’s fortunes are very closely linked to its vast reserves of oil, and the industry remains a significant contributor to the country’s gross domestic product.
Hi-Res version HERE.
HUB OF THE WORLD STRONG CANDIDATE
The UAE is strategically placed between Asia and Africa where the world is witnessing the fastest growth in prosperity and expansion of the middle class. The country is already only an eight-hour flight away from
two-thirds of the world’s population and this access can only grow. The UAE has also invested in building some of the world’s largest airports so that the expected passenger growth is able to continue unchecked.
Hi-Res version HERE.
THE TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE
Vernacular architecture in the UAE was deeply influenced by traditional lifestyles, tribal customs, limited resources and a harsh environment. From the portable goat-hair tents used by the nomads, to the permanent houses built of stone guss, fossilized coral and plaster, the materials were simple and with a very low thermal conductivity, making them ideal for the hot climates.
Hi-Res version HERE.
THE ARABIAN SHIPS
Dhow is the generic name for a variety of traditional wooden sailing vessels that once populated the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, typically featuring one or more masts and lateen sails. The dhow was central to the pearling industry of the Gulf, and dhow building was the most important manufacturing activity in the region. When pearling was at its peak in the 1930s, just before the onslaught of the Japanese cultured pearls, historians have recorded some 4,500 boats plying the Gulf’s waters.
Hi-Res version HERE.
PEARL DIVING CULTURE
Pearls are referenced in the Quran, the New Testament, and various Hindu scriptures. The uniqueness and almost universal appeal of pearls are best explained by two facts: they are the only gems produced by living organisms, and they need no cutting or polishing. In the Arabian Gulf, pearls are held in particularly high esteem because of their vital role. For many centuries before the discovery of oil, pearl diving was an important occupation and the mainstay of local economies.
Hi-Res version HERE.
The pearl diving feature was translated after into an interactive infographic. You can dive in with your mobile device, tablet or computer, just press the play button and wait for a few seconds while the content loads. Swipe around freely or follow the annotations with interesting information about this amazing activity.
EXPO 2020 DUBAI
Every World Expo runs under a central theme of universal concern to all of humanity. Expo 2020 Dubai’s theme is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’. It recognizes that generating sustainable solutions to global problems demands collaboration across cultures, nations and regions. It is also a reflection of the modern world: connected as never before, and changing with great speed. This is what Expo 2020, its participants and visitors will explore, well into the future.
Hi-Res version HERE.
We've been following the development of the Expo 2020 Dubai from the beginning and working closely with the minds in charge of this amazing project. Please take a look on the first feature we created when Dubai was bidding to obtain the Expo 2020 here.
THE BURJ KHALIFA
The world's tallest building is an incomparable feat of engineering and a stunning work of architecture - it has no peer in concept or execution. But Burj Khalifa is also an ode to the astounding progress that the UAE has made in a very few years
Hi-Res version HERE.
I collaborated with the 3d models of the Burj Khalifa for this piece and the cover, a challenging project due to the way the structure evolves its shape from the bottom to the tip, emulating a flower commonly known
as Spider Lily which grows in the UAE. The infographic design was in charge of Dwynn Trazo.
