maya fidawi - ahmed nady
About
Ahmad Nady
An internationally recognized illustrator and artist. Designed numerous brand characters across the Middle East media. worked as a studio manager and creative director; with multinational media exposure and extensive experience as a storyboard artist, character designer, copywriter, and art director. Worked for internationally recognized advertising agencies, production houses, and animation studios. Co-authored and illustrated two renowned graphic novels published in English and Arabic in US, UK and Egypt. Chosen by Bayreuth University, Germany, to lead a national illustrated campaign and was offered art residency, then featured on a number of German publications. Featured on TEDx Talks, presenting the “Role of Failure in the Artist’s Success.” Winner of 2013 MENA Cristal Award, Film category, and 2014 Cannes Lions Award, Healthcare category, in addition to many local, regional and international awards. Featured by major newspapers like The Guardian. Professional career started with Alam Semsem, the Arabic speaking version of Sesame Street, in 1999, working on characters’ designing, script writing, and storyboarding. Major career advancements extended in later years, while working on ATL and Pharma advertising in parallel to animation and video production. Possesses strong commitment to team environment dynamics with the ability to contribute
expertise and follow leadership directives at appropriate times.
Maya Fidawi
I graduated from the faculty of Arts at the Lebanese University in 2000, and worked in parallel to my university years as a decorative painter.
After graduation, I worked as a freelance illustrator in different advertising agencies.
In 2004 I illustrated my very 1st book, and have been illustrating since. So far I have executed around 55 books for many publishers in Lebanon and overseas.
I won 9 national and international book awards, worth mentioning :
Etisalat children's book award for book of the year, in 2014
Etisalat children's book award for best illustrated children's book 2017
Mahmoud Kahil award for comics and editorials for best illustrated children's book 21018
And I was just nominated to Hans Christian Andersen's award for 2024.
I conducted many illustration art workshops in many countries; Brazil, Morocco, Italy, Turkey, UAE, Jordan and Lebanon. And just opened my studio in Beirut where I am running regular workshops all art related for beginners and professional illustrators.
My dream is to keep dreaming, that's the only thing that keeps me going and creating. And because I'm a big dreamer, I try to make my dreams come true and guess what, they do
