When a report is designed and produced in English and Arabic, both editions should feel equally considered. The brand should be recognisable, the information clear and the reading experience natural.

Achieving that takes accurate translation and specialist design working together.

A layout developed for English will not automatically work as well when its content is replaced with Arabic. The reading direction changes. Typography behaves differently. Headings, captions and supporting information may need more space or a different arrangement.

This is where design arabisation adds value.

What is the difference between translation and arabisation?

Professional translation carries meaning from one language into another, with careful attention to tone, terminology and context. It helps ensure that the Arabic communicates the intended message accurately and appropriately.

Design arabisation considers how that translated content works within the publication.

It addresses the layout, typography, navigation and visual relationships that help Arabic readers move through the information. The two disciplines complement each other: well-translated content needs a design that supports it, just as a well-designed page needs accurate language.

Reading direction changes the page

English generally reads from left to right; Arabic reads from right to left. That affects more than paragraph alignment.

Consider a spread with an introductory statement on one page and supporting figures on the other. The arrangement establishes a sequence: where the reader begins, what they notice next and how the supporting information connects.

In the Arabic edition, that sequence needs to be reconsidered. Headings, columns, captions and navigation should guide the reader naturally through the content.

Simply placing Arabic text into the existing English layout can preserve the appearance of the page while weakening its flow.

Typography needs its own attention

Arabic has its own letterforms, proportions and typographic conventions. Choosing a suitable Arabic typeface means considering both readability and its relationship with the brand’s English typography.

The two fonts should feel related in character and emphasis, even when they look different.

Text also occupies space differently across languages. A heading may break across a different number of lines. A paragraph may need a revised column width or more breathing room. Captions and labels may require repositioning.

These decisions help both editions achieve a comparable hierarchy and level of polish.

Consistency does not mean identical layouts

The aim is to create two publications that clearly belong to the same organisation.

Colour, imagery, graphic language and the treatment of key information can provide continuity. Within that shared system, each edition needs room to respond to its language.

Our work on Mashreq’s 2024 annual report illustrates this relationship. The English and Arabic editions share a distinctive visual identity, while the arrangement of content adapts to their respective reading flows.

Viewed together, they feel connected. Read individually, each should make sense on its own.

That connection begins with a clear story. As we explore in Finding the Thread: How to Develop an Annual Report Theme That Actually Works, a report’s theme should guide its content and design. That same thinking needs to carry through both language editions.

Specialist judgement matters in the details

Arabisation also requires care with charts, tables, figures and mixed-language content.

An Arabic page can contain English brand names, numerical values and other elements with their own direction and formatting requirements. These need deliberate handling. Reversing every element would be as unhelpful as leaving everything untouched.

Designers and language specialists need to review the finished publication together, checking how the words and visuals work in context. This is where awkward line breaks, unclear relationships and inconsistencies can be identified before publication.

Allowing time for this matters. Our article on planning your annual report early explains the value of coordinating content, design, translation and approvals from the outset.

Give both audiences the same care

Our annual report design work for clients including Mashreq and Dubai Residential REIT reflected the importance of bringing complex information, brand identity and clear communication together.

For readers, the value is straightforward: a report that is easier to navigate, understand and engage with.

For the organisation, it means presenting a consistent identity while respecting the needs of each audience.

At Formulate, our approach to English and Arabic publication design considers that relationship from the outset. We focus on how each edition works for its readers, while keeping both firmly connected to the same brand.

Planning an English and Arabic report? Explore our annual report design services and let’s discuss your next publication.

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A school's website is often the first point of contact for prospective parents, students, and staff. It’s your digital handshake, and we all know first impressions count, especially here in Dubai.

Choosing the right design and development partner ensures your school presents a professional, engaging, and user-friendly platform that truly reflects its values and strengths.

For schools in Dubai and the Middle East, the right web design partner can make a real difference to your reputation and even influence enrolment success. Your website isn’t just a digital presence; it’s a hub for sharing information, celebrating achievements, and keeping your community informed. A well-designed site connects parents, students, staff, and prospective families, ensuring everyone feels engaged with life at your school.

The Budget Option – Freelancers and Small Agencies

It’s tempting to go for the cheapest option. But freelance developers and small providers often lack experience with schools, especially in the Middle East. They may not understand the range of audiences a school website needs to engage current families, prospective parents, teachers, and support staff, just to name a few.

Many small providers are one or two-person teams who are developers, not designers. This can result in websites that fail to reflect your brand visually or enhance the user experience. At Formulate, we would never let a developer design a site or a designer build one.

On the tech side, budget providers often don’t deliver solutions that allow your in-house team to update or expand the website easily. And ongoing support? Frequently, once the website is live, they’ve moved on to their next project. We’ve heard too many stories of low-cost providers leaving schools with clunky, hard-to-manage systems.

The High-End Option – European & US Education Website Agencies

On the other end of the spectrum, some schools turn to large specialist education agencies in Europe or the US. These teams bring impressive track records and polished presentations, but often with limited knowledge of the Middle East market. And they usually have no local team on the ground.

These agencies emphasise tailored content, detailed user journeys, and bespoke CMS platforms with all the bells and whistles. These are all important points, but they often labour the complexity, and costs start piling up. Schools have also reported CMS systems that are difficult to manage, expensive service packages, and slow turnaround times due to time differences and limited local support.

The Middle East Alternative – A Local Education Website Provider

So, why look abroad when you have a proven partner right here in Dubai? At Formulate, we specialise in designing and developing websites for schools across the Middle East. Working with a local provider comes with distinct advantages:

1. Deep understanding of the UAE and Middle East education market

We’ve worked with some of the UAE’s oldest schools and new entrants to the market. We understand the diversity of curricula, teaching approaches, and specialisms like sports, wellness, and technology. We know how schools need to stand out in a rapidly growing, competitive market.

2. Technology that empowers your team

Marketing teams want flexibility to add pages, post news, and update events without calling in an agency every time. We build websites with intuitive page-builder technology, giving your team full control and saving time and costs.

3. Local, on-the-ground support

Sometimes, it’s just easier to get things done face-to-face. Our Dubai-based design and development team can provide on-site support, CMS training, and quick fixes whenever needed—especially helpful around launch or for technical requests.

4. A proven track record

We’ve supported schools with everything from website design and build to launch campaigns, internal communications, and external marketing. Our projects have helped boost enrolments, awareness, and recruitment, supporting both well-established and new schools in the UAE.

In summary, choosing the right website partner can make all the difference for your school’s online presence, reputation, and enrolment success. By working with a local, experienced provider like Formulate, you get a website that reflects your school’s values, empowers your team, and comes with reliable support when you need it, helping you connect with your community and stand out in the Middle East education market.

If your school is looking for a new website, a refresh of an existing site, or support with marketing collateral, our team is ready to help deliver a project that truly works for your school. Contact us today.

A Remarkable Journey of Creativity and Success

The team at Formulate is thrilled to announce the celebration of its third anniversary! Established in 2020 by creative partners Theo Adamson and Dan Brown, Formulate has flourished from a shared workspace in Motor City to become an established creative agency offering creative branding, graphic design, digital and web design services.

In just three short years, Formulate has undergone an incredible transformation, boasting a passionate and talented team of designers, web developers, and project managers. Together, they have been the driving force behind the agency's remarkable achievements, solidifying its reputation as a trusted partner for businesses around the globe.

Formulate has had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse array of clients, ranging from ambitious startups that have gone on to achieve their own success, such as Barre Effect, Lunatic Fringe, and Energie Entertainment, to some of the UAE's most well-known brands like CAFU, Jumeriah, and Talaleem. The agency's influence extends even further, having proudly served large multinational corporations, including Amazon Web Services - AWS.

The outstanding success Formulate has enjoyed throughout its journey is a testament to the unwavering dedication of its exceptional team, the enduring trust of its valued clients, and the invaluable contributions of key partners. Formulate expresses heartfelt gratitude to all those who have played a role in the agency's growth and success over the past three years.

Reflecting on the remarkable journey, Creative Partner Dan Brown shares his thoughts:

"It's incredible to see how far we've come as an agency in just three years. If someone had told us what we would achieve in this time, we would never have believed it. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue supporting our clients by providing clear, concise creative design solutions that genuinely enhance their businesses."

As Formulate reaches this significant milestone, the agency is poised for even greater accomplishments in the years to come. With an unwavering commitment to creativity, innovation, and client satisfaction, Formulate is ready to embark on the next chapter of its story.

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