Branding
Designing a brand that feels native in Arabic and English
Translation is not localisation. Five rules we follow so both languages carry the same personality.
CODEX Team · · 3 min read
Too many regional brands design in English first and 'add Arabic' at the end. The result always shows: cramped type, broken rhythm and a voice that sounds translated.
Five rules
Pick both typefaces together and test them side by side.
Give Arabic more line-height — it needs room to breathe.
Write copy natively in each language; never translate taglines.
Mirror layouts properly in RTL, but never mirror the logo.
Check every motion and icon for direction.
Done right, customers in Riyadh, Dubai and Cairo feel the brand was made for them — because it was.