Landor has appointed Lara Assouad as Executive Creative Director for the region.
Assouad will help to shape Landor’s creative initiatives from the Dubai studio, bringing with her expertise in bilingual branding and Arabic type design, and a passion for multicultural identities.
Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an interest in the intricate relationship between Arabic and Latin scripts, exploring their nuances in multicultural contexts.
She has been honoured with two certificates of excellence in typography from The New York Type Directors Club and as a selected artist for the Jameel Prize 4, recognised for her modular Arabic typography project.
Having previously collaborated with Landor, her vision is to inspire her new team’s capabilities while influencing its strategic endeavours.
Assouad’s role will focus the studio towards achieving the creative skill for Landor’s clientele, and the creation of brands.
She is also committed to scouting for the next generation of talent while nurturing her team’s talents to foster their growth and seamlessly integrate them into Landor’s expansive global network.
Teemu Suviala, Landor’s Chief Creative Officer, said: “Lara is an exceptional creative leader with remarkable attention to both systems and craft. Her return to Landor is highly anticipated. We’re ready for the passion, character, and energy she’ll bring to the Dubai studio.”
Mariagrazia De Angelis, General Manager at Landor in Dubai, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Lara back to Landor as our new Executive Creative Director in Dubai. Her deep understanding of the local landscape and her artistic background combined with her passion for typography and calligraphy will strengthen our creative team and maintain our leadership position in branding while aligning our global vision with the local market and driving conceptual innovation”.
Before joining Landor, she had served as the Creative Director of Design for Apple in the region, where she played a key role in shaping the brand’s visual presence in the region and launching iconic campaigns and communication tailored to the Arab market.
In addition to her professional achievements, Assouad stands out as an accomplished artist, with her work featured in numerous exhibitions such as the Scripts and Calligraphy exhibition, Paths to the Soul, by the Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia, and the current group show ‘We, the nation of letters’ at Wasl Art Space in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“I am thrilled to be back at Landor, a global reference in branding. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team in Dubai to create and build world-class brands that resonate with customers and clients in the region.”
Assouad’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Landor as the company continues to expand its creative capabilities and strengthen its presence in the GCC market.
