Visualizing Big Ideas at the Fikr14 Conference
Celebrating the Arab League’s 70th Anniversary with Live Scribing in Cairo
In December 2015, the Arab Thought Foundation hosted the Fikr14 Conference at the Arab League Headquarters in Cairo to mark the 70th anniversary of the Arab League. It was a two-day gathering of thought leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across the Arab world — and I was invited as one of 14 visual artists to help bring the conversations to life through live graphic facilitation.
Capturing the Pulse of the Region in Real Time
Working in both breakout sessions and the main plenary hall, I scribed live as speakers tackled some of the region’s most pressing challenges: education, cultural identity, economic reform, political transitions, and the future of Arab unity. Using a mix of visual metaphors, Arabic calligraphy, and structured mapping, I transformed complex discussions into accessible, engaging visuals on the spot.
The fast-paced environment required not just drawing skills, but rapid synthesis, clear thinking, and the ability to keep pace with shifting ideas.
Building a Massive Knowledge Wall
Each visual piece I created contributed to a larger goal: a comprehensive Knowledge Wall that reflected the full scope of insights shared over the two days. This wall became a central visual summary of the conference — sparking conversations, photo ops, and deeper reflection.
From keynote speeches to smaller strategy huddles, I worked closely with participants and other scribes to ensure no key message was missed.
Why This Project Mattered
The Fikr14 Conference was more than just an event — it was a platform for regional vision-building, and the inclusion of visual storytelling helped crystallize those visions in a fresh, human-centered way.
For me, it was a milestone experience that brought together many of my core strengths:
Strategic thinking & fast decision-making
Designing visual systems for dialogue
Working live under pressure
Bridging art and policy through visuals
