Following a commitment to "fostering creativity", the Visual Communication Department at Dar Al-Hekma University launched the fall 2015 senior exhibition showcase "AWALAM". Lecturer Hind Talal, the facilitator of Graphic Design Studio 3, the course responsible for designing the concept for the senior exhibition, said "the concept AWALAM was derived from the most important trigger for creativity and critical thinking which is questioning and analyzing our surroundings. "The students were asked to brainstorm ideas. The winning proposal was brought to life by three students, Haya Bakashab, Kenaz Nour and Jameela Al-Saud, who incorporated the five senses as supporting graphics." The human capacity to create as practiced through the process of critical thinking is central to the role of designers and is a quality that the department instills in all of its graduates, she added. Cordula Peters, Director of the Visual Communication Department, explained the the AWALAM concept further saying "the emphasis that Dar Al-Hekma University has placed on creativity as its guiding value is clearly demonstrated in this semester's senior exhibition, which is a testament to the importance this value holds for us in the Visual Communication Department. Our students are immersed in a creative environment from the moment they start studying with us. We challenge them to become the most creative person they can be and express their abilities through their design and animation work." This semester AWALAM features the work of 6 motion graphics and 15 graphic design graduating seniors from the department. Senior student Afnan Al-Juhani explained how critical thinking helped form her project, "Absat" (Simplest), which was created to tackle the unique struggles that students with learning disabilities face. She said her product, which has been designed to give assistance to all students, employs technology by "designing tools such as videos to be used in classes. My objectives are to make learning processes easier for all students to grasp, especially students with learning disabilities" by infusing lessons with an element of fun to draw in student involvement. Senior student Walaa Khawandanah explained how her project displayed the quality of "AWALAM". "My aim is to provide a service that will offer branding to design a logo, identity and full package of products to budding entrepreneurs who cannot yet afford them," she said.
