I am a creative and visionary Senior Art Director with over 26 years of experience in print, digital, and social media design across major media groups and government sectors in the UAE. I excel at leading cross-functional design teams, developing high-impact content, and managing multi-platform brand identities, delivering innovative solutions and award-winning designs. Fluent in Arabic and English, I stay tuned to Middle Eastern media trends and aesthetics, and I enjoy collaborating with clients to translate strategy into compelling visuals and meaningful experiences for diverse audiences.

Samir Alghazal

I am a creative and visionary Senior Art Director with over 26 years of experience in print, digital, and social media design across major media groups and government sectors in the UAE. I excel at leading cross-functional design teams, developing high-impact content, and managing multi-platform brand identities, delivering innovative solutions and award-winning designs. Fluent in Arabic and English, I stay tuned to Middle Eastern media trends and aesthetics, and I enjoy collaborating with clients to translate strategy into compelling visuals and meaningful experiences for diverse audiences.

Available to hire

I am a creative and visionary Senior Art Director with over 26 years of experience in print, digital, and social media design across major media groups and government sectors in the UAE. I excel at leading cross-functional design teams, developing high-impact content, and managing multi-platform brand identities, delivering innovative solutions and award-winning designs.

Fluent in Arabic and English, I stay tuned to Middle Eastern media trends and aesthetics, and I enjoy collaborating with clients to translate strategy into compelling visuals and meaningful experiences for diverse audiences.

See more

Language

Arabic
Fluent
English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Led the design and creative execution of publications, videos, and social media content for Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, ensuring brand consistency and impactful storytelling through various multimedia platforms.
Senior Art Director at Union Fortress 10 - Ministry of Defence
January 1, 2025 - August 29, 2025
Developed and managed all media coverage and visual assets for a major national event, overseeing the creative direction and execution of digital and print materials to promote the event effectively.
Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO)
December 31, 2024 - August 29, 2025
Designed government-branded social media visuals to enhance public communication and engagement through well-crafted digital campaigns aligned with official branding guidelines.
Senior Art Director at ESG MENA
January 1, 2024 - August 29, 2025
Directed the creation of web, social media, and video content for ESGmena.com, leading the visual storytelling efforts and ensuring a cohesive design language across digital platforms.
Art Director at Seven Media, Dubai
December 31, 2021 - August 29, 2025
Created digital content for key clients including ADFD, Ajman Free Zone, and the Abu Dhabi Media Office, developing varied design solutions tailored to client needs across digital and print media.
Art Director at LACASA Architects
December 31, 2021 - August 29, 2025
Designed brand-aligned architectural project catalogues, ensuring that visual presentations reflected architectural aesthetics and supported project marketing efforts.
Art Director at Arabian Business & CEO Middle East, ITP
January 1, 2020 - August 29, 2025
Led design for major publications, delivering award-winning magazine designs and directing creative teams to maintain high-quality editorial visuals for business audiences in the Middle East.
Art Director at Kul Al Usrah, Al Khaleej Publishing
January 1, 2005 - August 29, 2025
Developed magazine designs and marketing visuals, contributing to the overall branding and visual identity of the publication and enhancing reader engagement through creative layouts.
Art Director & Senior Graphic Designer at Hayat Al Naas & Quttof
January 1, 1999 - August 29, 2025
Revamped layouts and led quality assurance for print and graphic projects, improving visual quality and workflow efficiency within the design department.
Part-Time Designer at Knotika Publishing
December 31, 2004 - August 29, 2025
Created magazine layouts and advertisements, supporting publication teams with layout design and visual content creation on a part-time basis.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Led the design and creative execution of publications, videos, and social media for ADFD.
Union Fortress 10 at Ministry of Defence
January 1, 2025 - September 7, 2025
Developed and managed all media coverage and visual assets for the national event.
Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO)
January 1, 2024 - September 7, 2025
Designed government-branded social media visuals.
Senior Art Director at ESG MENA
January 1, 2024 - September 7, 2025
Directed web, social media, and video content for ESGmena.com.
Art Director at Seven Media, Dubai
January 1, 2021 - September 7, 2025
Created digital content for clients such as ADFD, Ajman Free Zone, and ADMO.
Art Director at LACASA Architects
January 1, 2021 - September 7, 2025
Designed brand-aligned architectural project catalog.
Art Director at Arabian Business & CEO Middle East, ITP
January 1, 2020 - September 7, 2025
Led design of major publications and won multiple awards.
Art Director at Kul Al Usrah, Al Khaleej Publishing
January 1, 2005 - September 7, 2025
Developed magazine design and marketing visuals.
Art Director & Senior Graphic Designer at Hayat Al Naas & Quttof
January 1, 1999 - September 7, 2025
Revamped layouts and led quality assurance.
Part-Time Designer at Knotika Publishing
January 1, 2004 - September 7, 2025
Created magazine layouts and advertisements.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Led the design and creative execution of publications, videos, and social media for ADFD.
Media Coverage & Visual Assets Lead at Union Fortress 10, Ministry of Defence
January 1, 2025 - September 7, 2025
Developed and managed all media coverage and visual assets for the national event.
Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO)
January 1, 2024 - September 7, 2025
Designed government-branded social media visuals.
Senior Art Director at ESG MENA
January 1, 2024 - September 7, 2025
Directed web, social media, and video content for ESGmena.com.
Art Director at Seven Media, Dubai
January 1, 2021 - September 7, 2025
Created digital content for clients such as ADFD, Ajman Free Zone, and ADMO.
Art Director at LACASA Architects
January 1, 2021 - September 7, 2025
Designed brand-aligned architectural project catalog.
Art Director at Arabian Business & CEO Middle East, ITP
January 1, 2020 - September 7, 2025
Led design of major publications and won multiple awards.
Art Director at Kul Al Usrah, Al Khaleej Publishing
January 1, 2005 - September 7, 2025
Developed magazine design and marketing visuals.
Art Director & Senior Graphic Designer at Hayat Al Naas & Quttof
January 1, 1999 - September 7, 2025
Revamped layouts and led quality assurance.
Part-Time Designer at Knotika Publishing
January 1, 2004 - September 7, 2025
Created magazine layouts and advertisements.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Led the design and creative execution of publications, videos, and social media for ADFD.
Art Director at Ministry of Defence (Union Fortress 10)
January 1, 2025 - September 7, 2025
Developed and managed all media coverage and visual assets for the national event.
Art Director at Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO)
January 1, 2024 - September 7, 2025
Designed government-branded social media visuals.
Senior Art Director at ESG MENA
January 1, 2024 - September 7, 2025
Directed web, social media, and video content for ESGmena.com.
Art Director at Seven Media, Dubai
January 1, 2021 - September 7, 2025
Created digital content for clients such as ADFD, Ajman Free Zone, and ADMO.
Art Director at LACASA Architects
January 1, 2021 - September 7, 2025
Designed brand-aligned architectural project catalog.
Art Director at Arabian Business & CEO Middle East, ITP
January 1, 2020 - September 7, 2025
Led design of major publications and won multiple awards.
Art Director at Kul Al Usrah, Al Khaleej Publishing
January 1, 2005 - September 7, 2025
Developed magazine design and marketing visuals.
Art Director & Senior Graphic Designer at Hayat Al Naas & Quttof
January 1, 1999 - September 7, 2025
Revamped layouts and led quality assurance.
Part-Time Designer at Knotika Publishing
January 1, 2004 - September 7, 2025
Created magazine layouts and advertisements.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Led the design and creative execution of publications, videos, and social media for ADFD.
Media Coverage & Visual Assets Lead at Ministry of Defence (Union Fortress 10)
January 1, 2025 - September 7, 2025
Developed and managed all media coverage and visual assets for the national event.
Senior Art Director at ESG MENA
January 1, 2024 - September 7, 2025
Directed web, social media, and video content for ESGmena.com.
Art Director at Seven Media, Dubai
January 1, 2021 - September 7, 2025
Created digital content for clients such as ADFD, Ajman Free Zone, and ADMO.
Art Director at LACASA Architects
January 1, 2021 - September 7, 2025
Designed brand-aligned architectural project catalog.
Art Director at Arabian Business & CEO Middle East, ITP
January 1, 2020 - September 7, 2025
Led design of major publications and won multiple awards.
Art Director at Kul Al Usrah, Al Khaleej Publishing
January 1, 2005 - September 7, 2025
Developed magazine design and marketing visuals.
Art Director & Senior Graphic Designer at Hayat Al Naas & Quttof
January 1, 1999 - September 7, 2025
Revamped layouts and led quality assurance.
Part-Time Designer at Knotika Publishing
January 1, 2004 - September 7, 2025
Created magazine layouts and advertisements.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Led the design and creative execution of publications, videos, and social media for ADFD.
Art Director at Ministry of Defence – Union Fortress 10
December 31, 2025 - September 8, 2025
Developed and managed all media coverage and visual assets for the national event.
Art Director at Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO)
December 31, 2024 - September 8, 2025
Designed government-branded social media visuals.
Senior Art Director at ESG MENA
December 31, 2024 - September 8, 2025
Directed web, social media, and video content for ESGmena.com.
Art Director at Seven Media, Dubai
December 31, 2021 - September 8, 2025
Created digital content for clients such as ADFD, Ajman Free Zone, and ADMO.
Art Director at LACASA Architects
December 31, 2021 - September 8, 2025
Designed brand-aligned architectural project catalog.
Art Director at Arabian Business & CEO Middle East, ITP
December 31, 2020 - September 8, 2025
Led design of major publications and won multiple awards.
Art Director at Kul Al Usrah, Al Khaleej Publishing
December 31, 2005 - September 8, 2025
Developed magazine design and marketing visuals.
Art Director & Senior Graphic Designer at Hayat Al Naas & Quttof
December 31, 1999 - September 8, 2025
Revamped layouts and led quality assurance.
Part-Time Designer at Knotika Publishing
December 31, 2004 - September 8, 2025
Created magazine layouts and advertisements.
Senior Art Director (Freelance) at Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Led the design and creative execution of publications, videos, and social media for ADFD, aligning visuals with strategic communications and branding objectives.
Art Director at Union Fortress 10, Ministry of Defence
December 31, 2025 - September 11, 2025
Developed and managed all media coverage and visual assets for the national event; oversaw creative direction across campaigns and assets.
Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO)
December 31, 2024 - September 11, 2025
Designed government-branded social media visuals and campaigns for official channels.
Senior Art Director at ESG MENA
December 31, 2024 - September 11, 2025
Directed web, social media, and video content for ESGmena.com; guided visual storytelling and digital branding.
Art Director at Seven Media, Dubai
December 31, 2021 - September 11, 2025
Created digital content for clients including ADFD, Ajman Free Zone, and ADMO; led design for multi-channel campaigns.
Art Director at LACASA Architects
December 31, 2021 - September 11, 2025
Designed brand-aligned architectural project catalogs and marketing materials.
Art Director at Arabian Business & CEO Middle East, ITP
December 31, 2020 - September 11, 2025
Led design of major publications and won multiple awards; guided editorial layouts and branding.
Art Director at Kul Al Usrah, Al Khaleej Publishing
December 31, 2005 - September 11, 2025
Developed magazine design and marketing visuals; contributed to brand identity.
Art Director & Senior Graphic Designer at Hayat Al Naas & Quttof
December 31, 1999 - September 11, 2025
Revamped layouts and led quality assurance for print and digital materials.
Part-Time Designer at Knotika Publishing
December 31, 2004 - September 11, 2025
Created magazine layouts and advertisements for print and digital.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Led the design and creative execution of publications, videos, and social media for ADFD.
Media Coverage & Visual Assets Lead at Union Fortress 10 - Ministry of Defence
December 31, 2025 - October 2, 2025
Developed and managed all media coverage and visual assets for the national event.
Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO)
December 31, 2024 - October 2, 2025
Designed government-branded social media visuals.
Senior Art Director at ESG MENA
December 31, 2024 - October 2, 2025
Directed web, social media, and video content for ESGmena.com.
Art Director at Seven Media, Dubai
December 31, 2021 - October 2, 2025
Created digital content for clients such as ADFD, Ajman Free Zone, and ADMO.
Art Director at LACASA Architects
December 31, 2021 - October 2, 2025
Designed brand-aligned architectural project catalog.
Art Director at Arabian Business & CEO Middle East, ITP
December 31, 2020 - October 2, 2025
Led design of major publications and won multiple awards.
Art Director at Kul Al Usrah, Al Khaleej Publishing
December 31, 2005 - October 2, 2025
Developed magazine design and marketing visuals.
Art Director & Senior Graphic Designer at Hayat Al Naas & Quttof
December 31, 1999 - October 2, 2025
Revamped layouts and led quality assurance.
Part-Time Designer at Knotika Publishing
December 31, 2004 - October 2, 2025
Created magazine layouts and advertisements.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Developing the design of social media, videos and publications for the ADFD.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Union Fortress 10 (Ministry of Defence)
December 31, 2025 - October 2, 2025
Implementing the Union Fortress project of the UAE Ministry of Defense and covering it in the media (social media and video editing).
Freelance Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO)
December 31, 2024 - October 2, 2025
Design and implement social media posts related to the Abu Dhabi government and the government entity’s identity.
Senior Art Director at ESG mena
December 31, 2024 - October 2, 2025
Leading the creative implementation of the one and only comprehensive ESG knowledge hub in the Middle East and North Africa www.esgmena.com
Art Director at Seven Media Dubai
December 31, 2021 - October 2, 2025
Creating social media content: publications and videos for clients in private and government sectors.
Art Director at LACASA Architects and Engineering
December 31, 2021 - October 2, 2025
Catalog layout and design reflecting the brand identity and architectural projects over the years.
Art Director at Arabian Business (English & Arabic), CEO Middle East and B2B ITP Media Group
December 31, 2020 - October 2, 2025
Designing cover pages, collaborating with editorial and commercial teams, directing supplements, managing photography sessions, producing pages, editing videos for company websites, and social media design.
Art Director at kul al Usrah magazine, Al Khaleej Publishing House
December 31, 2005 - October 2, 2025
Designing cover pages, creating adverts, producing magazine pages, and annual calendars.
Senior Graphic Designer at Quttof Magazine
December 31, 1999 - October 2, 2025
Designed and produced cover pages; authored Arabic poetry volumes; used Illustrator for illustrations and supervised QA.
Art Director at Hayat Al Naas and Quttof Magazine, Hayat Al Naas Publishing House
December 31, 1999 - October 2, 2025
Designed and produced cover pages, updated magazine layouts, supervised QA, and retouched aged images in Photoshop.
Art Director at "Hayat Al Naas" (Quttof Magazine) - Publishing
December 31, 1999 - October 2, 2025
Engaged in overall magazine layout design and cover production.
Part Time Designer at Knotika Publishing (Part time)
December 31, 2004 - October 2, 2025
Creating the magazine cover and layout; developing adverts; producing pages across the magazine sections.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Developing the design of social media, videos and publications for the ADFD; designing posts, formatting & editing photos/videos; coordinating complex digital platforms and 24/7 social media monitoring to optimize public engagement.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Union Fortress 10 (Ministry of Defence)
January 1, 2025 - October 2, 2025
Implementing the Union Fortress project across media channels, including social media and video editing, while ensuring alignment with MoD identity and requirements.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO)
January 1, 2024 - October 2, 2025
Design and implement social media posts related to the Abu Dhabi government and the entity's identity.
Senior Art Director at ESG mena
January 1, 2024 - October 2, 2025
Leading the creative implementation of the ESG knowledge hub in the Middle East and North Africa www.esgmena.com.
Art Director at Seven Media Dubai
January 1, 2021 - October 2, 2025
Creating social media content, publications and videos for clients in private and government sectors, including Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Ajman Free Zone, Pride of the Emirates, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority and the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office.
Art Director at LACASA Architects and Engineering
January 1, 2021 - October 2, 2025
Designing a descriptive catalog layout reflecting brand identity and presenting architectural projects accomplished over the years.
Art Director at Arabian Business (English & Arabic), CEO Middle East and B2B ITP Media Group
January 1, 2020 - October 2, 2025
Designed covers for monthly and weekly magazines in English and Arabic; brainstormed ideas with commercial & editorial heads to generate revenue; created adverts; directed monthly supplements; managed photography for cover stories and interviews; produced pages and layouts; edited videos for company websites; oversaw social media design.
Art Director at Kul al Usrah magazine, Al Khaleej Publishing House
January 1, 2005 - October 2, 2025
Designed cover pages, produced ads, and created magazine layouts; produced yearly calendars; created artwork with page layouts.
Art Director at Hayat Al Naas and Quttof Magazine, Hayat Al Naas Publishing House
January 1, 1999 - October 2, 2025
Designed and produced cover pages; modified overall layouts; supervised the QA department; retouched aged images using Photoshop.
Senior Graphic Designer at Quttof Magazine
January 1, 1999 - October 2, 2025
Designed and produced cover pages; created volumes for Arabic poetry; used Freehand and Illustrator to draw backgrounds for poetry pages; supervised the quality assurance department.
Part Time Designer at Knotika Publishing
January 1, 2004 - October 2, 2025
Creating the magazine cover; creating the magazine layout; creating ideas and designing main public and private adverts; producing pages and artwork for the magazine.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Union Fortress 10 (Ministry of Defence)
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Implementing the Union Fortress project of the UAE Ministry of Defense and covering it in the media (social media and video editing).
Senior Art Director at ESG mena
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2024
Leading the creative implementation of the one and only comprehensive ESG knowledge hub in the Middle East and North Africa www.esgmena.com
Art Director at Seven Media Dubai
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2021
Creating social media content: publications and videos. Work executed for clients in both private and government sectors, such as the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Ajman Free Zone, Pride of the Emirates, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority and the official account of Abu Dhabi Government Media Office.
Art Director at LACASA Architects and Engineering Projects
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2021
Catalog design: layout and design for a descriptive catalog reflecting the brand identity and architectural projects over the years.
Art Director at Arabian Business (English & Arabic), CEO Middle East and B2B ITP Media Group
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2020
Cover design for magazines (English & Arabic), brainstorming with editorial and commercial heads, ad design, monthly supplements for executives, photography sessions, magazine page layout and video editing for web.
Banaras and advertisements for online at Kul al Usrah magazine, Al Khaleej Publishing House
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2005
Designing cover pages, ads, magazine layouts, yearly calendars.
Art Director at Hayat Al Naas and Quttof Magazine, Hayat Al Naas Publishing House
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 1999
Cover design, magazine layout modifications, QA supervision, image retouching.
Senior Graphic Designer at Quttof Magazine
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 1999
Cover design, poetry volumes, backgrounds for poetry pages, QA supervision.

Education

Diploma in Art Design at University of Aleppo, Syria
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1991
Diploma in Art Design at University of Aleppo
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1991
Diploma in Art Design at University of Aleppo, Syria
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1991
Diploma in Art Design at University of Aleppo, Syria
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1991
Diploma in Art Design at University of Aleppo, Syria
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1991
Diploma in Art Design at University of Aleppo, Syria
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1991
Diploma in Art Design at University of Aleppo, Syria
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1991
Diploma in Art Design at University of Aleppo, Syria
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1991
Diploma in Art Design at Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria
January 1, 1989 - December 31, 1991
Diploma in Art Design at Aleppo University
January 1, 1989 - December 31, 1991
Diploma in Art Design at Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1991

Qualifications

ITP Media Awards 2008: Best Front Cover, Best Feature, Best News Story Design
January 1, 2008 - September 8, 2025
ITP Awards 2008: Best Front Cover Design; Best Feature Design; Best News Story Design
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2008
ITP Awards 2008 — Best Front Cover Design, Best Feature Design, Best News Story Design
January 1, 2008 - December 1, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Government, Professional Services, Other, Education, Software & Internet