Möbius Design Studio

10/02/2026

We were excited and deeply honored to design the identity for National Pavilion UAE 2025 at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia.

Drawing from curator Azza Aboualam’s modular kit of parts, we developed a typographic system that is continually built, unbuilt, and rebuilt, echoing the exhibition’s materials and methods. Shaped by shifting scales, elastic spacing, and forms in flux, Arabic and English intertwine as an inquiry into what is visible, concealed, and enduring, reflecting ecological and environmental memory.

This thinking extended into the exhibition publication. Working with the idea of multiple spines, the chapters are physically divided so that each section takes on its own “spin,” while remaining connected through stitching. Modular elements reappear as navigational keys within the text, linking body copy with footnotes, citations, and references. On the cover, these same modules form a porous mesh that hides and reveals information, acting as a jacket that both protects and holds the publication together. The book becomes an assembled, evolving object rather than a fixed record.

.aboualam

18/01/2026

Our essay in _Connections as Method: Relational Pedagogies and Participatory Spatial Practice_ grows out of The Looming Council as a long-term way of looking, shaped by printed materials from the Arabic-speaking world.

The text begins from a simple question: how do we study design histories that were never properly archived, never taught, and often never even seen as design? Working with flyers, books, manuals, magazines, and advertisements, it treats the archive not as a container, but as an ongoing proposal. One shaped by who collects, who scans, who names, who speaks, and what is allowed to remain.

Drawing from the TLC Graphic Library and our contribution to the *Archiving Otherwise: Cocreating Public Archives and Collective Knowledge* programme at the *Saudi National Pavilion*, the essay reflects on scanning, annotating, reworking, and passing things on. It stays with fragments, with overlooked materials, and with designs that were never meant to last.

The essay closes with a commitment to slowing down, to keep asking, and to stay with the material long enough for something to shift.

31/05/2025

Our favorite part of any project is the process itself. The tension between play, experimentation, and venturing into the unknown keeps us excited and on edge. While developing the visual identity for the Pressure Cooker exhibition—part of the National Pavilion UAE 2025 at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia—we embraced this spirit fully.

Inspired by curator Azza Aboualam’s modular kit of parts, we developed a system of letterforms that are continuously built, unbuilt, and rebuilt—mirroring the exhibition’s materials and methods.

Rather than striving for a fixed or polished outcome, we embraced a living typographic system shaped by process: shifting scales, elastic spacing, and forms in constant flux. Arabic and English intertwine in a structural exploration of what is visible, what is concealed, and what endures—echoing themes of ecological and environmental memory.

More of the process to come in future posts.

25/05/2025

We were excited and deeply honored to design the identity for National Pavilion UAE2025 at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia.

Drawing from curator Azza Aboualam’s modular kit of parts, we developed a system of letterforms that are continually built, unbuilt, and rebuilt, echoing the exhibition’s materials and methods. Rather than aiming for a fixed or polished result, we embraced a living typographic system shaped by process: shifting scales, elastic spacing, and forms in flux. Arabic and English intertwine as a structural inquiry into what is visible, what is concealed, and what endures, reflecting ecological and environmental memory.

We’ll be sharing process posts and behind-the-scenes fragments that have remained in our folders over the coming week.

.aboualam

25/05/2025

We were excited and deeply honored to design the identity for NPUAE2025. Drawing from curator Azza Aboualam’s modular kit of parts, we developed a system of letterforms that are continually built, unbuilt, and rebuilt, echoing the exhibition’s materials and methods. Rather than aiming for a fixed or polished result, we embraced a living typographic system shaped by process: shifting scales, elastic spacing, and forms in flux. Arabic and English intertwine as a structural inquiry into what is visible, what is concealed, and what endures, reflecting ecological and environmental memory.

We’ll be sharing process posts and behind-the-scenes fragments that have remained in our folders over the coming week.

21/05/2025

13/05/2025

Earlier this year, Mobius designed an identity for Ahwak Perfumery.

Ahwak is a fragrance house based in Dubai, blending traditional Arabic ingredients with contemporary formulations. As part of this project, we created a library of illustrations that serve as brand assets, inspired by the ingredients used in the perfumes.

These illustrations highlight the distinct elements of the fragrances, grounding the brand in its cultural roots. Each piece supports Ahwak’s identity and showcases the craftsmanship behind their offerings.

15/04/2025

Earlier this year, Mobius had the pleasure of designing an identity for Ahwak Perfumery.


Ahwak is a fragrance house born in Dubai, blending traditional Arabic ingredients with contemporary formulations.

The logo began with a deep exploration of Arabic calligraphy — experimenting with forms, angles, and symmetry. The design evolved from hand-drawn strokes to more geometric and structured compositions. A mirrored approach was used to create balance, while subtle repetitions paid homage to traditional design motifs.

The final mark emerged as a radiant seal, reflecting the warmth of the desert and the brand’s cultural heritage.

24/02/2025

Now Open: Crystal No. 6 ✨

We are excited to announce that the exhibition is officially open at the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery in the project space! Celebrate the layered histories of Freej Al Murar, a historic Dubai neighborhood, through Crystal No. 6. This exhibition unravels the stories behind the mkhawera, the traditional embroidered garment, highlighting the artisans whose labor and craft are often overlooked.

Featuring nine embroidered addas, a short film by Abdulla Majjan, and a publication with essays by Ahmed Makia, Kallol Datta, and Uzma Z. Rizvi, the exhibition reflects on memory, craftsmanship, and cultural erasure.

Join us as we honor the unseen hands behind the stitches. ✨ The exhibition will run until March 11th, 2025.

08/02/2025

🚨 Launch Alert! 🚨

WORK WORK WORK draws inspiration from Ahmed Rashid Thani’s 1980s play “The Earth Speaks Urdu”, reinterpreting its themes and challenging assumptions about Gulf society. The book fuses abstract pop-up theater sets with bold typography in Arabic, Urdu, and English.

🗓️ February 9th
📍
⏰ 5:00 PM

Join us for an exciting evening as we unveil this special publication. See you there!

.themobius

26/01/2025

Neoneon is probably the most colorful exhibition we have curated! The exhibition captures the vibrant, chaotic energy of our cities, highlighting the humor and bravado of kitsch. It’s a celebration of the spaces we call home that the participating designers and artists have expressed so boldly in their neon-lit signs.

You are still able to visit the exhibition till 20.4.2025.

📅 Date: 11.01.2025 - 20.4.2025
📍 Location: 

Participating Designers/Artists:
Archief Cairo
Nasir Nasrallah
Ayesha Bin Haider
Machi Mashy (Engy Mohsen + Soukaina Joual)
Mohammad Sharaf
Foundland Collective
Mariam Al-Zayani
Kashida Studio
Hala Alafsaa
Hussein Alazaat
Omar Mobarek
Sara Alarif
Celine Raffy
Abdulrahim Alkendi
Salasil
Azim Al-Ghussein
Mouza AlHamrani
Mariam Shamma
Roudha Bu Abdul

05/11/2024

It’s finally happening! We are beyond excited to be launching The Looming Council online portal at Dubai Design Week. TLC has been our passion-project for 4 years now, and is largely motivated by the need to look inwards, to excavate and celebrate our own histories and shift away from Western narratives in design education and practice.

Join us in the inauguration of The Looming Council on November 10 at 8:00pm, Dubai Design District, Building 5. We will be talking about our process, showcasing some observations and findings and introducing the TLC Portal.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped with and contributed to the building of TLC intellectually, physically, morally and spiritually. This is a 100% community-based initiative and would not see the light without the support of our village.

We would like to extend a special thank you to 421 for believing in the project and allowing us the necessary funds and offering invaluable advice for launching this pnline portal. Thank you to Pro Helvetia, our very first supporters for allowing us a chance to lay the foundations for TLC. @421.online

We hope to see familiar and unfamiliar faces— come through!