Menhem is an adaptive designer who understood early on the value of design beyond craft and technology, and was able to follow up on different print and production technologies all the way from manual typesetting and phototypesetting to contemporary digital design. What really distinguish Menhem’s input from his contemporaries are his early realization of a need for solid display typefaces that he made up for by drawing his own letterforms; his perseverance, which led him to specialize in editorial design; and his systematic thinking which led him to excel in this specialization. The significance of Menhem’s experience, however, extends beyond his graphic and typographic input: it presents a realistic model of a conscientious designer who manages to make a living and a remarkable career without compromising his personal values. A model that presents an extremely important alternative to the much more common commercial and compromising designer, or to the star designer who seeks personal recognition before collective interest.
About the Artist
Emile Menhem is a Lebanese graphic designer, painter, art critic, and writer. Like many designers of his generation, Menhem came to graphic design through fine arts. As a fine artist, Menhem had a strong and uncommon graphic sense that eased his transition into the world of design.
About the Author
Born and raised in Beirut, I studied graphic design at the American University of Beirut – Lebanon (BGD 2002), then specialized in international communication management at The Hague University – The Netherlands (MICM 2009).
About the Publisher
Khatt Books is a specialized publishing house, established in 2010 as a commercial arm of the Khatt Foundation. Khatt Books focuses on topics such as typography, graphic design, architecture, other applied and visual arts from or dealing with the MENA region.
