About
I am Magandjin/Brisbane based multi-lingual visual designer and illustrator. My work lies at the intersection between brand development, cultural production, and social impact. Striving to amplify voices across the visual medium—whether that be through multimedia campaigns, international traveling exhibitions, or graphic publications—, my process anchors itself in the visual materialization of research, exploring the social, political, and cultural terrain that frames my work. My illustration and independent commissions reflect my commitment for leveraging alternative actors in musical production and queer, non-normative discourses.
I am available for collaborations and freelance.
More of my illustration work here.
Contact: lynnezakhour@gmail.com
Work Experience
Sonomo | Part-time Senior Graphic Designer and Art Director
August 2023 - Present | Amsterdam, Netherlands
Leading UI/UX updates and overhauls for the web app while crafting album artworks and essential assets.
Freelance Senior Graphic Designer and Art Director
May 2019 - Present | Beirut, Lebanon
Working on various freelance projects covering multi-disciplinary fields.
Beirut Art Center | Design Residency
December 2022 - August 2023 | Beirut, Lebanon
The Beirut Art Center is a non-profit association, space, and platform dedicated to art research and cultural practices in Beirut, Lebanon. I was invited to be the fourth designer to take part in a residency program, during which I assumed the role of an in-house graphic designer, working on social media posts, exhibition design, and any required graphic materials.
Studio Safar | Senior Graphic Designer and Art Director
February 2017 - December 2021 | Beirut, Lebanon
A design and art-direction creative agency working within dynamic and exploratory frameworks.
Covered multi-disciplinary fields and projects: publication, art direction, visual identities, album artwork, communication design, exhibition design, film and web.
Acquired deep knowledge and experience in production processes and client conversation.
Journal Safar | Senior Designer and Contributor
August 2018 - December 2021 | Beirut Lebanon
A bilingual independent visual and design culture magazine, inviting designers, writers, thinkers and other creatives to address cultural production in the Middle East. Distributed worldwide.
Worked on the layout design, editorial content, communication strategy and merchandise design of the magazine’s fourth, fifth and sixth issues.Created thought-provoking artworks for the articles “It must be Palestine” in the fifth issue, Migrations and for “Massa al Khayr” in the sixth issue, Power.
Creative Space Beirut | Part-time Graphic Designer
August 2016 - February 2017 | Beirut, Lebanon
A free school for fashion design offering quality design education to talented youth who lack resources.
Co-led on the organization, communication design, set design and signage of the 2016 Graduating class fashion show, with George Rouhana.
Freelance Projects
Dongola Limited Edition
February 2023 - Present | Lebanon
Dongola creates limited edition art books that offer an unconventional perspective on art and contemporary topics in the MENASA region. I worked on the editorial concept, design direction, and execution of Zouleikha Bouabdellah's artist book, 28. Additionally, I contributed to the conception, curation, and execution of the exhibition book Cities under Quarantine: A Mailbox Project, which compiles the work of 60 artists, alongside Abed Al Kadiri and Reza Abedini.
Triennial of Photography Hamburg
December 2021 - May 2022 | Germany
Co-led the delivery of the identity, graphic language, website, communication design, signage, critical reader and exhibition guide of the eighth Triennial of Photography in Hamburg, as well as the exhibition design of the main exhibition Currency: Photography beyond capture, which took place at the Deichtorhallen Hamburg, with Studio Safar.
Biennale D’art Contemporain de Lyon
July 2022 - Present | France
Worked on a series of three publications in English and French accompanying the 16th Lyon Biennale: manifesto of fragility, including the exhibition guide.
El Mir Records
August 2022 | France
A record label that aims to conserve musical heritage of North Africa and the Middle East.
Developed the logo and visual identity of the record label.
Transplant Imaginaries
October 2021 - present | United Kingdom
An AHRC-funded project that engages with organ transplantation through the lens of contemporary literature and film. Collaborated with Richard Kahwaji.
Launched, illustrated and designed a series of zines and merchandise, including stickers, t-shirts, and tote bags.
PrEPster campaigns
September 2020 - November 2020 | United Kingdom
April 2021 - June 2021 | United Kingdom
A community organization that aims to educate and agitate for PrEP access in England.
Illustrated and designed a poster/pamphlet that promotes the use of PrEp amongst women and illustrated the FAQs page for the revamp of the website in collaboration with Graphic Designer, Richard Kahwaji.
The Love Tank x Fringe Film Festival
2021 & 2022 & 2023| United Kingdom
Every year The Love Tank and Fringe Film festival come together to work on curated kick-ass events ranging from breathwork and yoga, to workshops on rope-play. I worked on the illustrations of three editions of these events in collaboration with Richard Kahwaji.
Lama Jouni
October 2020 - Present | Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A contemporary ready-to-wear fashion label that focuses on slow fashion and sustainability
Worked on a retainer contract that covers identity design, album artwork, illustration, and social media management.
Al Shak TV series
January 2020 - April 2020 | Beirut, Lebanon
A mini web-series directed and produced by Last Floor Productions, filmed remotely during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Designed the web series’ identity and promotional poster, as well as the interactive content of the show, including mobile application and user interface.
Mauj
October 2020 - March 2021 | Beirut, Lebanon
A sexual and reproductive wellness brand by and for Arab women.
Developed and implemented the communication strategy and design templates of Mauj’s official Instagram.
Dwarfs of East Agouza
November 2019 - January 2020 | Paris, France
A Cairo based alternative and Indie band.
Designed the Dwarfs of East Agouza’s second album, Green Dogs of Dashur in partnership with the Paris-based record label Akuphone.
Awards
Best Animation Short in the Independent Shorts Award
April 2022 | Los Angeles
Winner of the Best Animation Short in the Independent Shorts Award: Nomad By Tamara Qaddoumi, Illustrated by Lynne Zakhour and Animated by Abdulrahman El Abyad View more here
Best Experimental Short in the Independent Shorts Award
April 2022 | Los Angeles
Winner of the Best Experimental Short in the Independent Shorts Award: Nomad By Tamara Qaddoumi, Illustrated by Lynne Zakhour and Animated by Abdulrahman El Abyad / April 2022 View more here
2021 MA-g Awards for Graphic Design
Winner of the 2021 MA-g Awards for graphic design: The components of an exploding pressure cooker, by Lynne Zakhour and Maya Moumne / Studio Safar, 2021 View more here
Areen Project Award for Excellence in Graphic Design
June 2016 | Beirut, Lebanon
Award given to the three best final projects of the year based on the following criteria: “practical service to the community, strong conceptual thinking, and outstanding creativity and innovation.”
Published Works
Journal Safar Issue 5, Migrations: It Must be Palestine, Elia Suleiman interviewed by Zeina G.Halabi, photos by Sharon Grosso, artowrks by Lynne Zakhour, 2019 - published design work
Journal Safar Issue 6, Power: Massa Al Khayr, Piece by Toufic Safié and Artworks by Lynne Zakhour and Tala Safié, 2021 - published design work
Journalsafar.com
16e Biennale de Lyon, manifesto of fragility exhibition guide: Mural created by Studio Safar. Digital illustration by Hatem Imam and Lynne Zakhour, 2022 - published illustration work
Capturing Chronic Illness’s zine Bloody Chronix: produced in collaboration with the research project Transplant Imaginaries, illustrator Lynne Zakhour and designer Richard Kahwagi, 2021 - published illustration work
Languages
English
Fluent (encompasses reading, writing & speaking)
French
Fluent (encompasses reading, writing & speaking)
Arabic
Beginner
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at The American University of Beirut
September 2012 - June 2016 | Beirut Lebanon
A four-year program with an emphasis on visual and communication design, from publication and typography to interactive design and packaging.
Summer exchange program at The University of California, Berkley
June - August 2015 | California, USA
French Baccalaureate with Honors in the Scientific Field at Ecole Francaise Jacques Prevert d’Accra
June 2012 | Accra, Ghana
Skills
Computer Skills
Adobe Creative Suite
Microsoft Office
Procreate
Figma
Naming
Art Direction
Illustration
Exhibition Design
Identity Design
Publication and Editorial Design
Oh! And Decolonize the World.
Mauj
SCOPE OF WORK
Identity Design
Packaging Design
Communication Strategy
Communication Design
Website Design
Mauj is the first and thusfore, only sexual and reproductive wellness brand created by Arab women for Arab women. Mauj initially launched as an online platform out of a first-hand need for more education, information, dialogue, and acceptance in a region where women are policed at every marker in womanhood. Later on, they launched the first ever vibrator in the arab region.
I worked on this project over the span of a year and half, where I conceived the naming, developed the identity, website and packaging design. Lastly, I worked on an extensive communication strategy for their online platforms. The aim of this strategy was to generate a big following of women in the region, by creating not only an informative space, but most importantly a safe space.
In parallel I worked on the creation and implementation of design templates for their instagram account for over 6 months.
Studio Safar, 2020
Freelance, 2021, 2022
I worked on this project over the span of a year and half, where I conceived the naming, developed the identity, website and packaging design. Lastly, I worked on an extensive communication strategy for their online platforms. The aim of this strategy was to generate a big following of women in the region, by creating not only an informative space, but most importantly a safe space.
In parallel I worked on the creation and implementation of design templates for their instagram account for over 6 months.
Studio Safar, 2020
Freelance, 2021, 2022
Ballroom Blitz Club
SCOPE OF WORK
Art Direction
Identity Design
Communication Strategy
Social Media Design
Publication Design
Merchandise Design
Motion Graphics
The Ballroom Blitz is a music venue with a robust program of live gigs, DJ sets, and workshops that transition through three rooms. The club’s program revolves around emerging talent both locally and globally, alongside established names from the industry, fostering a collaborative club culture in Beirut.
I lead this project for 2 years, where I worked on the naming of the club, the idenity, and more importantly the communication strategy. During the first season of the club I worked on all communication material for the weekly events, from promotional videos, to posters, to social media posts and spacial interventions.
For the second season, I reworked the communication strategy and put in place an extensive design pack of templates to be addapted by their new inhouse designer.
In parallel, I worked on their seasonal magazine as the lead designer and content creator, you can see them here and here.
The Ballroom Blitz Website & Instagram
Studio Safar, 2018 - 2020
I lead this project for 2 years, where I worked on the naming of the club, the idenity, and more importantly the communication strategy. During the first season of the club I worked on all communication material for the weekly events, from promotional videos, to posters, to social media posts and spacial interventions.
For the second season, I reworked the communication strategy and put in place an extensive design pack of templates to be addapted by their new inhouse designer.
In parallel, I worked on their seasonal magazine as the lead designer and content creator, you can see them here and here.
The Ballroom Blitz Website & Instagram
Studio Safar, 2018 - 2020
A Return of the Sun
SCOPE OF WORK
Exhibition Design
Identity Design
Social Media Design
Publication Design
Towards the end of my Design Residency at the Beirut Art Center, I had the exciting opportunity to work on their upcoming exhibition titled "A Return of the Sun." During this period, I was tasked with developing an identity system that aligns with the curatorial concept. Additionally, I was responsible for creating various deliverables, including promotional posters, social media announcements, an exhibition guide, and wall texts.
“A Return of the Sun takes its title from Samih Al-Qasim’s poem Enemy of the Sun; a timeless incantation to not compromise to time, but to also trust it. The limitations of visualizing temporal changes in our environments have a deep role in this unfolding slow violence. Through the new and varied conversations between the exhibited works, the exhibition hopes to open up to other possible realities.”
ARTISTS
Alia Farid, Aziz Hazara, Carolina Caycedo and David de Rozas, Christian Sleiman, Haig Aivazian, Inas Halabi, Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige, Jumana Manna, Kiymet Dastan, Lamia Abukhadra, Nadia Bseiso, Omnia Sabry, Rania Stephan, Saba Innab
Curated by Reem Shadid
Beirut Art Center Website & Instagram
Freelance - Designer in Residency - Beirut Art Center - 2023
Photography: Walid Rashid
“A Return of the Sun takes its title from Samih Al-Qasim’s poem Enemy of the Sun; a timeless incantation to not compromise to time, but to also trust it. The limitations of visualizing temporal changes in our environments have a deep role in this unfolding slow violence. Through the new and varied conversations between the exhibited works, the exhibition hopes to open up to other possible realities.”
ARTISTS
Alia Farid, Aziz Hazara, Carolina Caycedo and David de Rozas, Christian Sleiman, Haig Aivazian, Inas Halabi, Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige, Jumana Manna, Kiymet Dastan, Lamia Abukhadra, Nadia Bseiso, Omnia Sabry, Rania Stephan, Saba Innab
Curated by Reem Shadid
Beirut Art Center Website & Instagram
Freelance - Designer in Residency - Beirut Art Center - 2023
Photography: Walid Rashid
Beirut Art Center Design Residency
SCOPE OF WORK
Identity Design & Social Media Design
Designer in Residency
The Beirut Art Center is a non-profit association, space, and platform dedicated to art research and cultural practices in Beirut, Lebanon.
Every few month they offer up the center’s logo for the designer to appropriate or redesign completely. During the four months residency the designer takes on the role of an in-house graphic designer, working on social media posts, exhibtion design, and any needed graphic materials.
I was the fourth resident in this program and the logo I designed will sit alongside those of previous residents, Nour El Samman, Ghiya Haidar and Karim Farah. Overtime, BAC hopes that this reptilian way will generate opportunities to play and explore new visual and graphic possibilities, as well as create new spaces for collaborations and collective thinking.
My objective was to create a visual language that echoes the multiple dialogues initiated by the Graphic-Designer-in-Residence program. A new graphic layer is added through each designer's logic, interpretation and story. The stacking of graphics is a reflection, a trace, of every passing designer and their fingerprint on the institution's visual presentation. For that reason I created a language that adapted, shifted, and accommodated what was already done and continues to be done, through a cohesive and dynamic aesthetic.
Freelance - 2023
Every few month they offer up the center’s logo for the designer to appropriate or redesign completely. During the four months residency the designer takes on the role of an in-house graphic designer, working on social media posts, exhibtion design, and any needed graphic materials.
I was the fourth resident in this program and the logo I designed will sit alongside those of previous residents, Nour El Samman, Ghiya Haidar and Karim Farah. Overtime, BAC hopes that this reptilian way will generate opportunities to play and explore new visual and graphic possibilities, as well as create new spaces for collaborations and collective thinking.
My objective was to create a visual language that echoes the multiple dialogues initiated by the Graphic-Designer-in-Residence program. A new graphic layer is added through each designer's logic, interpretation and story. The stacking of graphics is a reflection, a trace, of every passing designer and their fingerprint on the institution's visual presentation. For that reason I created a language that adapted, shifted, and accommodated what was already done and continues to be done, through a cohesive and dynamic aesthetic.
Freelance - 2023