Riwaq – Animated Log is a logo animation project I had the pleasure of working on for Riwaq, a unique cultural space that offers much more than just a venue for drinks. Riwaq is a dynamic environment where art, culture, and community thrive. It’s a place for theater performances, intimate cinema screenings, music events, book signings, small weddings, and personal celebrations. When Riwaq approached me, they wanted an animation that would capture the essence of their multi-faceted space while remaining true to their identity.

I began by brainstorming how best to represent the diversity of activities that take place at Riwaq. The idea was to symbolize the fluidity and openness of the space while still reflecting its welcoming atmosphere. I decided to animate simple shapes and icons that evoke elements of theater, literature, cinema, and music, bringing them together in a seamless flow. The red color in the logo, particularly the broken (كسرة) under the letter “ر”, became the focal point of the design, symbolizing energy, passion, and the vibrant cultural heartbeat of Riwaq.

The animation process was a mix of thoughtful design and technical execution. I used Adobe Illustrator to create all the shapes and graphics, focusing on simplicity and clarity. Then, using Adobe After Effects, I brought those elements to life with smooth transitions and fluid motions, ensuring the animation felt dynamic and engaging. The entire process took nearly two months, during which I worked closely with the Riwaq team to refine the concept and final execution.

This project allowed me to explore how animation can enhance brand identity and communicate the values of a space in a visually compelling way. It’s more than just a logo animation; it’s a visual representation of Riwaq’s mission to be a gathering point for art, expression, and connection.

A project that holds a special place for me. I designed this logo after going through several iterations and a lengthy thought process to truly reflect its meaning. The word “TARACOM” is derived from “تراكم” (which means accumulation), symbolizing the gradual build-up of knowledge, experience, and expertise over time. For our team, consisting of four members, each person brings their own unique contribution to the world of media, visual content, and art, and all our experiences come together in a cumulative way.

In designing the logo, I used geometric shapes arranged in a somewhat random fashion, with the Arabic word “تراكم” at the center. To emphasize the idea of media and visual content, I placed a red triangle in the design, representing media or visual content, and included a film strip along one side, tying it back to the team’s use of film in our work.

For the animation, I used Cinema 4D to bring the design to life, following a storyboard I created to ensure the movement aligned with the story I wanted to tell. The animation is simple yet dynamic: the red triangle in the center lights up, accompanied by an electric sound effect that mimics magnetism, drawing in all the surrounding geometric shapes. The shapes, in yellow, come together around the triangle, forming the final logo. The deep purple background further enhances the color contrast, allowing the red and yellow elements to stand out in a striking way.

This project allowed me to blend design, animation, and storytelling, and it represents both the teamwork behind TARACOM and the layered process of growth and creation we aim to embody.