Saudi Arabia Launches Two New Arabic Typefaces to Define Its Visual Identity
Saudi Arabia launches two new Arabic typefaces: Al-Awwal and Saudi, blending heritage and modern design. A bold step in cultural innovation and national identity under Vision 2030.
Published: April 17, 2025 | Arbaaa
In a defining moment for Arabic design and cultural expression, the Ministry of Culture has launched two new Arabic typefaces: Al-Awwal and Saudi. These fonts mark a powerful step forward in shaping Saudi Arabia’s visual identity — rooted in heritage, elevated by design, and made for the future.
The announcement reflects the Kingdom’s growing investment in cultural innovation, using creative tools like typography to communicate pride, tradition, and progress in every letter.
Designed to Represent a Nation
Al-Awwal, meaning “The First”, draws from the earliest Arabic inscriptions found in the first Hijri century. The font captures the spirit of early Islamic calligraphy and transforms it into a refined, modern tool that honors the past while remaining usable in today’s digital world.
Saudi, meanwhile, is a contemporary typeface born from the same cultural DNA. It offers sleek, minimal letterforms grounded in traditional aesthetics — designed to fit seamlessly across media, from official documents to branding and creative projects.
Together, the two fonts offer a dual narrative: one that preserves legacy, and another that projects confidence into the future.
A Cultural Message Through Design
This initiative is part of a broader movement to embed culture into every layer of public life — including how Saudi Arabia is seen and read, both at home and abroad. Typography becomes more than just visual design; it becomes a symbol of identity, continuity, and intentional storytelling.
The development of the fonts involved a multidisciplinary team of historians, linguists, calligraphers, and digital designers — reflecting the kind of cross-sector collaboration that defines Vision 2030’s creative ambitions.
Empowering Creatives, Locally and Globally
With the launch of these fonts, Saudi Arabia isn’t just preserving its cultural script — it’s giving designers, creatives, and institutions the tools to speak the language of heritage in a modern voice.
Both Al-Awwal and Saudi are now available for free public and professional use. Whether for art, branding, education, or government communication, the fonts offer a new way to express Saudi authenticity through design.
From Font to Future
Typography plays a quiet yet powerful role in shaping perception. With this launch, Saudi Arabia is taking control of its visual narrative — crafting every curve, line, and word to reflect the beauty and strength of its culture.
At Arbaaa, we see this not just as a design milestone, but as a bold reminder:
Culture speaks louder when it’s designed with intention.
