About

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Graduated with a master's degree in Design and Typography, my passions range from type design to writing in the broadest sense of the word, calligraphy, and graphic design and illustration, which I practice as a freelancer in Paris. I enjoy creating images, and even more so, I like to think of them as ideas—both visual and literary, both concrete and conceptual.

Education

Certificate in Arabic Script for Digital Lettering (Arabic Lettering Course)
taught by Wael Morcos
2025

Certificate in Maghrebi Script (Arabic calligraphy)
taught by Maaida Noor
2025

Certificate in Kufic Script (Arabic calligraphy)
taught by Joumana Medlej
2025

Master in Typography
ECV (École de Communication Visuelle)
2020–2022

Bachelor in Graphic Design and Art Direction
ECV (École de Communication Visuelle)
2019-2020

Bachelor in Design, Plastic Arts, and Media
School of Arts of the Sorbonne – Paris 1
2016–2019

Employment

Graphic design for “Mon livre merveilleux” (My Marvelous book), a children’s book
La Figue et l’Olive Editions

04.2026-Present

Graphic design and corrections for “Mon Juz ‘amma illustré”, (My illustrated Juz ‘amma), a children’s book
La Figue et l’Olive Editions

04.2026-Present

Brand book for the pastry chef De sucre et de mots
06.2026

Graphic design of Sophie Rabahi’s book: Verses of Islam
04.2025

Atelier Sawsen : Calligraphy classes
Teaching
09.2024-Present

Moral lines poster, commissioned by EHESS University and Sciences Po
03.2026

Illustrations and logo for the Algerian brand Milion o Nos
Illustrations for T-shirts, tote bags, logo, and color palette.

03.2024–Present

Calligraphic fresco designed for Romy’s Retreats
Sketches, layout, text sourcing, and painting of the fresco over 2 days.

11.2024

Illustration for Les Gamins fées by Sarah Ghoula
Illustration and layout of the collection’s cover.

28.02.24–03.03.24

Illustrations for Ghorba for Palestine
Printed illustrations on bandanas, T-shirts, phone cases, and posters for the clothing brand Ghorba. All proceeds donated to NGOs.

01.02.24–01.03.24

Freelance micro-business and various missions
Graphic design, illustration, and sale of illustrations.

01.02.23–Present

Creation of a typeface family for Skrr type
Character design, specimen design. Work in progress.

01.01.23–Present

Printer at Launay Print Shop
Printing and production of books, posters, and other editorial objects; binding, graphic expertise, paper knowledge.

01.03.23–30.06.23

Graphic Design Intern for Tapage and Boldie (two media outlets by My Little Paris)
Web design and visual creation (illustrations, photomontages, layout) for social media, website, and apps.

02.09.22–31.12.22

Graphic Design Intern at Anamorphée and Profane Magazine
Illustrations, lettering, editing, exhibition graphics for Dior.

05.04.21–05.08.21

Art Direction for a campaign for the Global Governance Index
Art direction, graphic design, web design, manifesto writing, illustration.

15.07.20–25.07.21

Illustrations for short story collections by Philippe Briand-Seurat: Les Saisons de l’Éloignement and Le Pas de l’ange
Éditions Le Laboratoire Existentiel.

10.2018–06.2020

Internship at Chanel, Art Direction and Publishing Department

02.05.19–31.07.19

Skills

Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, …)
Brand Identity
Lettering and Type Design (Glyphs, Robofont)
Web Design (Figma, XD)
Layout and Editorial Design
Concept Development / Copywriting
Illustration (digital and traditional)
Painting
Calligraphy (Arabic and latin)
Screen Printing, Engraving
Philosophy and Art History

Interests

Volunteering at Montreuil Floral Farm, Murs à Fleurs
Reading / Writing
Drawing, Painting
Hiking
Rowing
Cultural visits, exhibitions, art gallerie

CONTACT

Email: manel.gherdaoui@hotmail.com

Instagram : @manelgrd or atelier.sawsen

Last Updated 06.08.26

Atelier Sawsen Illustration Typedesign, lettering, calligraphy Visual identity & Graphic design Shop

Atelier Sawsen

Illustration
Typedesign, lettering, calligraphy
Visual identity & Graphic design
Shop