Towards connecting with children : developing creative arabic illustration talents in Lebanon

Abstract

This research presents the problem of Arabic illustrated picture books in the Lebanese market that need to be enhanced in relation to the design and illustration aspects for children aged five to seven. The aim of this thesis is to increase readership and learning in the Arabic language among children in Lebanon and guide illustrators in enhancing the quality of their picture book illustrations. Several aspects appropriate for the development of picture book illustration guidelines for children were reviewed including communication through visual language, the contemporary approach of including end-users in the design process, the influence of illustrations on young readers, and children’s preferences related to picture books themes. Eleven picture books from the Lebanese market were selected and assessed based on picture book illustration design elements and their characteristics. Then, 180 children were interviewed to test their preferences of picture book illustration design elements and themes. Interviews based on the literature review were also conducted with Lebanese illustrators, publishers, and professors in children’s education of Arabic literature to study the current state of Arabic picture books in Lebanon. The guidelines used to redesign an Arabic picture book were formulated based on the conceptual framework that emerged from the literature review, and the analyzed empirical data. Analysis of the interviews shows that children find large or medium-sized books more appealing that small ones, and that they prefer humorous cartoons as illustrations. Children also prefer vibrant colors in picture books rather than somber ones, as well as a cool color palette. Regarding typography, fonts with long ascender/descenders and sharp/angular counters rated higher than fonts with short ascenders/descenders and rounded counters. The significant implication of this research is increasing the readership and learning in the Arabic language among children in Lebanon, specifically the age group of five to seven years, and guide illustrators in enhancing the quality of their picture book illustration.