Rediscovering Arabic Poetry App Design

Yassine

Yassine Brahmou

Rediscovering Arabic Poetry in a Distracting World.

For millions of young, digital-native Arabs, classical arabic poetry is a closed book. It's perceived as difficult, irrelevant, and buried under the relentless noise of modern content. The linguistic depth is a barrier, the presentation is outdated, and discovery is non-existent. A millennia-old legacy of beauty and wisdom is at risk of being forgotten by its own heirs.

Problem statement

When it comes to arabic speaking individuals trying to discover arabic poetry, some key points could be presented:
"I want to understand the story behind the poem, not just the words."
"I don't know where to start; it all seems so vast and complicated."
"If it was as easy to use as my music or podcast app, I'd be into it."
The problem isn't a lack of interest, but a failure of design and delivery. It's not lack of online solutions/platforms; but it's a competition with TikTok, Spotify, and Instagram for users' attention. A seamless, engaging and personalized experience had to be provided.

Visual and Interaction Design

Poem Admiration

scroll effect
On scroll, the current verse is emphasized through a combined scaling and opacity transition, creating a focused reading sequence.

Personalized Reading Experience

font changing
The user can choose between the timeless beauty of Riq’a calligraphy for a traditional feel, or the geometric clarity of a sans serrif arabic font for a more contemporary reading experience.

Create a Time Capsule

saving a poem
Saving poems acts as a memory aid, creating a quick-access library for revisiting meaningful verses without having to search again. Transforming the app from a passive scrolling feed into an active, personal treasury of meaning.

Collective Wisdom

community insights
Tapping on a verse displays insights from other readers—ranging from historical context and metaphor breakdowns to modern interpretations, unlocking the meaning behind complex verses.

A central knowledge base

contextual hub
The contextual hub—accessible via the nav bar—lets users instantly explore a poet's biography, their diwan, and a word glossary without leaving the poem, turning curiosity into immediate understanding.
This project demonstrates how thoughtful design can bridge heritage and modernity. If you're looking to build digital products that are both meaningful and intuitive, let's connect. I'm open to discussing new design challenges.
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Posted Sep 30, 2025

Designed an app to make Arabic poetry accessible and engaging for digital-native Arabs.