Posts

HM wearing Birkenstock

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Salam all, so let's start with the latest, then i'll post what i've saved earlier.  yesterday, HM sultan haitham was planting a frankincense tree as an initiative and i noticed that he's wearing birkenstock. it is not odd to see birkenstock worn with dishdasha as many youngsters do it for comfort and practicality, but it's definitely never seen before on a royal let alone a Sultan. they are very similar-looking to the traditional pair we normally see on men, hence some replaced them with a more comfortable pair like birkenstock or cushioned strapped sandals.  It's pretty cool to see the sultan is part of the trend. after noticing, i immediately posted about it on my IG story @sf.dsgn  tagging birkenstock (global). im guessing i'm the only one who noticed coz i look into details that annoy a lot of people around me (lol), but hey, i'm originally a designer and as a marketer looking into details is part of my job.  HM planting a tree wearing Birkenstock Af

5 years later, I'm back!

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Hello, How are you all? i've been away for 5 years and lots has happened. i will be blogging again now to let all the steam out and try to share my knowledge and gain from yours. i don't want to become a youtuber and post myself talking to a camera, and I don't want to post short videos on Instagram because i don't like to put on make up and get ready. so i'll just put it all out in writing. also, i wont be caring much about punctuation and being perfect here. my job is demanding enough and i do proof reading on a daily basis as a marketing professional. so i'll let me be me here -- free. so let me start from the next blog. this is just a welcoming post. not sure is it welcoming you back or welcoming me back. haha but either way i need to vent and i'll do it here. this will be my journal. much love. Sara Fida PS: look at all the spam... haha spider web over my blog. time to clean up. Rating: Layout over all: /5 Colours: Youtube colours = /5 Font: Legible /

Trying to help Omani Designers - Step 1

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A'Salam Alaikom, "Been a while" that's always how I start my blog, I know, but I'll try to write more often just to pour my heart out when it comes to design in my country. So expect some happy moments and some angry ones in my coming blogs. I can whine and I can be extremely ecstatic. I don't think I'll criticise ads as much anymore, because it's pointless - I write about them, people read, laugh, and it ends there. It's time for useful/productive blogs. Let's face it.. Nothing will change here unless a revolution is made by young Omani Designers. I say designers precisely, because fine artists and photographers have their own associations/communities that could take care of them, but we don't. So today, I have made a decision that this will be MY job. As an Omani designer, my design path has not been easy in my country for the past 10 years and it's getting worrying and upsetting to see talented Omanis leave the country to se

Take it easy

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Salam everyone! Eid Mubarak! Anyone traveling this holiday? It's been ages since I last blogged about the beautiful *cough* ads I see around Muscat - 15 months to be precise. Been caught up with work and life in general. I just want to take advantage of my blog space and thank god for the countless blessings in my life and the hard times I've been through as well, because without them I wouldn't have given the best a chance. A big thank you to the biggest blessing in my life; my family. I love you mama, baba, sisters and bro. You've always been there for me. You are my fans, my supporters, my cheerleaders, and most importantly my comedy channel when least expected and most needed (hehe).  Al Hamdulillah. Onto what I like doing best; criticizing ads around me. Was asked to blog about a specific ad that has been released quite sometime ago here in Oman - maybe a few months now. I think you'll remember it without me even posting a picture. The

Nawras branding gone wrong.

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As'salam Alaikom, I know it has been ages since I last blogged. Apologies. I've been busy organizing PechaKucha Night - Muscat, which was held on the 21st May. www.Pecha-Kucha.org. If you're into creative visual designs, you're invited to the next one in August. Nowadays, I just have quick short comments on ads I see around me in Muscat that I place on my twitter account @omanadvertising. Anywhooo, lets move on to what I have in store for you today;  Narwas  branding  (a telecommunication company). First let me explain what is branding?  "To understand branding, it is important to know what brands are. A brand is the idea or image of a specific product or service that consumers connect with, by identifying the name, logo, slogan, or design of the company who owns the idea or image. Branding is when that idea or image is marketed so that it is recognizable by more and more people , and identified with a certain service or produ

3aib.

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It's a shame (3aib) when a college of  design  (and other majors including English) produces such booklet to showcase their portfolio, facilities, courses and programmes. Lets go through it before I start talking in details. It took me almost 3 weeks to blog this specific booklet out of my chest. Every time I sit infront of my laptop trying to put my river of thoughts into words; my hands shiver, smoke comes out of ears and my face turns into a red balloon filled with anger and frustration ready to explode! Maybe because it isn't only about this booklet, but its the whole experience, from landing a foot on the college grounds to running back to my car. The experience also has to do with the college's dean who asked me - when I went to apply for a job as a Typography teacher - he asked "What do you mean by Typography?" (!!!)  I felt like a bucket of cold water got poured over my head . I instantly thought to my self "Is this really where I want to work?

AMBIENT... Welcome to Oman!

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Hala! Putting my 'ambient advertising' hat on for a change. We don't see much of ambients in the GCC as much as we do overseas, maybe 'cause we have alot of restrictions or maybe 'cause Arabs don't interact as much. People are not exposed to such things, and are a bit hesitant to go and ask or be part of, but nevertheless, this ambient idea kicks ends! So, What's  Ambient advertising?  Ambient advertising  slowly started making itself known towards the late 90's. It refers to all advertising that is out of home and non- tradtional - it is exciting, fun, targeted and engaging.  Alright, moving along.. This ad is for General's New Super Cooling (Super Wave/Super Power/ Super Quiet) Features: 5 speed control 30% improved powerful airflow 15m Long-reach airflow. (Excuse the quality of the pictures.. I only have those two crappy ones. I got caught by security. No pictures are allowed to be taken inside the mall -