Cultural identity crisis within contemporary graphic design case study

Abstract

Visual representations of Lebanese culture are rich and diverse. Traditionally, Lebanese culture is a unique mixture of the East and West. However, Westernization jeopardizes this cultural identity in contemporary Lebanese graphic design. Furthermore, today's Lebanese design students commonly refer to Western inspirations and view Middle Eastern influences as conventional. Student designers are integral to the revival of their visual culture. Pedagogical approaches can encourage the incorporation of visual culture into design by embracing change without oblitera- ting the past. Adjustments are necessary in design studies through the modernization of Lebanese visual culture within graphic contexts. The future existence of a Lebanese visual cultural identity is possible through changes in graphic design studies.