About THE SEEN

Visual culture is rapidly gaining prominence in Kuwait as local artists incorporate new technologies, media forms, and ideas into their work across a variety of creative pursuits. To celebrate such creative talents, our students and faculty have organized THE SEEN conference around three key themes that speak to the field of visual communication: Engaging, Embracing & Emerging. Each day, speakers focus on one of these themes to highlight many of today's hottest visual communication topics and talents in the areas of Photography, Illustration, Art and Advertising.

THE SEEN is organized jointly with the student-led Media Club, as well as dozens of student volunteers and others enrolled in several MCM courses.  It is the Department’s philosophy to take a hands-on approach to learning where students can apply their skills and talents to projects outside of the traditional classroom environment, and in a way that engages them with local industries where the skills that they are being taught, are put into practice. To help achieve this goal, the teams organize conferences in a three-cycle sequence, each of which is dedicated to an area of emphasis within the department’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Mass Communication. These include

1)Visual Communication
2) Digital Media Production
3) Public Relations and Advertising

In the 2014-2015 academic year, the Department hosted the inaugural SEEN conference. The great success of that event has inspired multiple conferences ever since. In the 2015-2016 academic year, the department ran THE SCRIPT, which celebrated radio, TV, film and theatre traditions in Kuwait. THE SCRIPT recognized some of the country’s most established talents, hosted a 3-day film festival, included workshops, and featured an excellent line-up of media production specialists. In the 2016-2017 academic year, THE CAUSE conference was dedicated to Public Relations and Advertising with an emphasis on the topic of Social Responsibility in Kuwait. By partnering leading charities with leading advertising and PR agencies, the Department helped to raise more than $60,000 in just one month for three children charities using crowdfunding techniques. 

This year THE SEEN will include a number of incredible events across three categories:

1
Speakers

THE SEEN includes individual speakers and high-powered panels who explore both the current state and the future of visual art and design in Kuwait. The conference explores three themes in three days: Engaging, Embracing and Emerging. Each day includes art, photography, illustration and advertising professionals at the top of their game. Visit the SPEAKERS page to learn more.

2
Workshops

THE SEEN has brought together the expertise of several professional trainers to coach participants on art and design topics such as Illustration, Artistic Expression, Environmental Graphic Design,  Pattern Design, Sketching, Brush Lettering Calligraphy, and iPhone-ography. Want to meet our professional trainers and sharpen your skills? Then register through the WORKSHOPS page.

 

3
Activities

THE SEEN offers fun hands-on activities that allow everyone to participate, ranging from virtual reality and technology demonstrations to applied art and basic graphic design. Most activities take place from 10:00-15:00 on April 9, and 9:00-15:00 on April 10 & 11. They are spread across different zones around the GUST campus, so check out our activities map by visiting our EVENTS page.