Pentagram's Samar Maakaroun Devises Bilingual Identity for Design Doha Biennial 2026

Samar Maakaroun, a partner at Pentagram, along with her team, developed a typographic identity for the Design Doha Biennial 2026, ensuring that Arabic and English hold equal visual prominence. This design integrates both languages into a cohesive layout, utilizing thin, uniform strokes for each script. Extended strokes serve as links, enabling the letterforms to transition seamlessly across various formats. Set to commence on 5 November in Qatar, the Biennial will be the largest design event in the Arab world. Maakaroun characterizes the brand as a versatile system that embodies the connections between languages and people. The color scheme features shades inspired by travertine, deep maroon, vibrant orange, and rich Design Doha blue, while the main exhibition, Arab Design Now, showcases bold geometric forms for letters and numbers.