We’re Adnan wa Lena
We are communication design specialists who bring artistry and strategic thinking to every partnership. Our collaborative approach centers on working alongside organizations to:
Craft thoughtful, visually compelling communications that resonate with your audience and reflect your unique voice.
Elevate brand distinction through strategic positioning and purposeful design that sets you apart in the marketplace.
Transform insights into meaningful experiences that connect, engage, and inspire action.
At our foundation, we are artists and designers first—this creative core informs every strategic decision and design solution we develop. We thrive at the intersection of communication and the broader art and design landscape, where craft meets concept and culture shapes narrative.
This is where we find our greatest inspiration, and it's the distinctive perspective we bring to every project, every brand, and every partnership.
The Story Behind the Name
The agency's name draws inspiration from the beloved 1980s animated series originally created by Hayao Miyazaki that was adapted and dubbed for Arab audiences, where the main characters were renamed Adnan and Lena. This series became a cultural touchstone across the Arab world, with generations of children growing up with these characters as constant companions on their television screens.
The choice of name represents more than just a clever reference—it embodies the deep nostalgia that resonates throughout the Arab world for this era of childhood entertainment. For many Arabs who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, "Adnan wa Lena" evokes powerful memories of afternoon viewing sessions, school conversations about the latest episodes, and the distinctive animation style that stood apart from other children's programming of the time.
By channeling this collective nostalgia, AWL creates work that bridges cultural contexts and emotional landscapes, infusing contemporary design with the warmth and wonder of shared cultural memories.
Adnan Arif
Adnan is a graduate of the Manchester School of Art and currently practices in Sharjah, UAE.
He is a multi-disciplinary designer, researcher and strategist. He is passionate about the promise of design, storytelling and semiotics. He is interested in issues of representation, borders and material culture.
Lena Kassicieh
Lena Kassicieh is a multidisciplinary artist, designer and anthropologist. She completed her research master’s at the University of Amsterdam. She sees design and art as a meditation in play, experimentation, and a tool for processing life. She loves working with clients across disciplines, and loves collaboration. In 2017, she co-founded Daftar Asfar, a collaborative publishing platform that started as a traveling sketchbook, based in the Arab World.