Video | Soulful design

Against the advice of friends and family who would have had him pursue an engineering career, Mahmoud Mostafa followed his heart and concentrated instead on Arabic calligraphy, transforming it from a hobby to a dedicated practice and source of income. Similarly, Hashem Elhalaby left his career in engineering to dedicate himself to his love of calligraphy, founding Mihrab Academy for Arabic Calligraphic Arts, where Mahmoud is now a partner and a teacher. In this video from Alexandria, the two speak about "soulful design" — a term used to connote Arabic calligraphy — and its place in fast-paced contemporary life dominated by technology and mass production.

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