The proliferation of digital platforms across the MENA region highlights the importance of creating a culturally relevant design. As the Middle East is embracing its digital revolution, it presents several opportunities for growing businesses to tap into the tech-savvy working population.
Blessed with a 5G infrastructure in most regions, accessing digital solutions for people is easy. Digital platforms that incorporate the unique cultural and linguistic nuances of Arabic-speaking audiences stand to achieve better business results.
From adapting design interfaces to right-to-left (RTL) layouts, to adding specific visuals and fonts, thoughtful Arabic user interfaces can enhance user experience engagement and drive brand loyalty.
Here are 5 things to change to build Arabic user interfaces
Amidst the growing penetration of digital technologies, companies aiming to tap into the MENA region’s audience should take the following changes in mind to build customer-centric interfaces:
1. Right-to-left layout implementation
Right-to-Left (RTL) layout is necessary when designing digital touchpoints for Arabic-speaking audiences. As Arabic is an RTL language, following this layout structure will ensure the users feel comfortable accessing information. Not doing so can lead to confusion, reduced usability, and, ultimately, lower user satisfaction.
RTL-compatible navigation and UI components: Ensure that navigation menus, progress bars, and other directional elements mentioned below follow the RTL design schema
- Menus: Create the main navigation menu items beginning at the right side of the page and spanning to the left of the page. Also, design the submenus to open towards the left.
- Progress bars: The progress bar should move from right to left to show loading of screens etc.
- Directional icons: The orientation of arrows and chevrons must change to point leftward when you want to signal forward actions and rightward when you want to signal backward actions.
Establish a logical visual hierarchy: Arabic user interfaces should be designed to flow visually , the natural reading and scanning habits of RTL users.
- Typography: Choose a legible font while ensuring that headers, subheadings, and body content flow in the standard RTL sequence.
- Alignment: Position the key information components such asCTAs on the right side of the page..
- Layout flow: Place visual elements such as images and cards, from right to left to maintain logical continuity.
Adapt visual and content elements for RTL: All visual design, content, and media elements in the design should be flipped to follow RTL layout requirements, including:
- Icons and logos: Invert icons, buttons, arrows, and brand logos to ensure they fit the overall layout.
- Media elements: Videos and image carousels should progress in an RTL direction, starting from the rightmost frame.
2. Typography and fonts
Adjusting the design’s typography for Arabic interfaces is somewhat challenging as Arabic scripts have distinctive characteristics that demand careful consideration, and effective implementation of the guidelines will ensure seamless readability and visual harmony.
Select appropriate fonts: Arabic script has specific stylistic and structural detailing considerations, and your choice of which font you choose is important for both aesthetic design appeal and comfortable reading. We recommend Cairo Play, Rubik or Tajawal which can be found on Google Fonts.
Testing for screen compatibility: It should be standard practice that all Arabic designs you create are first accessed on devices with varying screen sizes and resolutions before they are released. To guarantee readability, test the fonts extensively across these platforms to ensure text clarity and prevent distortions.
Accommodating long Arabic names: Arabic names have multiple components, as the names have cultural and familial ties. To accommodate them, create form fields with adequate character limits. This is especially critical for applications involving official or personalised data input, such as registration forms or IDs.
Supporting bi-directional input: It’s possible that users in the MENA region switch between Arabic and English keyboards, that too, within the same input field. As a result, the Arabic user interfaces must support bi-directional input, enabling seamless transitions between right-to-left (RTL) and left-to-right (LTR) text.
3. Add cultural relevance in UI design elements
The Middle Eastern countries have always acted as a bridge between the Western and Asian countries. This has always allowed Arabic countries to have a rich and mixed cultural heritage. Even though these regions are developing and moving towards modernity, we can see the old traditions rooted in their daily routine.
So naturally, you must consider these traditions while designing Arabic user interfaces that resonate with native audiences. Aligning design choices with cultural norms and values not only enhances user engagement but also demonstrates your sensitivity and understanding of the region’s diverse traditions.
Emphasise culturally appropriate imagery: Images you add must reflect the realities and aspirations of Arabic-speaking audiences.
Use appropriate colour schemes: What colours represent varies across cultures and countries. Use colours according to the intention and how well they can carry cultural and emotional weight in Arabic-speaking communities.
- Green symbolises prosperity and spirituality;
- Gold conveys luxury and tradition;
- White represents purity and peace;
- Red symbolises struggle and bloodshed.
Integrate cultural motifs: Add design elements inspired by Arabic art, like geometric patterns, arabesques, or calligraphic flourishes, which are accepted well in Arabic cultures. However, use them sparingly and without overwhelming the design.
4. Show relevance to language and content adaptation
In the context of Arabic user interfaces, using the right language with cultural accuracy is critical to improve usability, engagement, and inclusivity. Content tailored to meet the specific linguistic and cultural nuances of the target audience, designers can create solutions that feel natural and intuitive.
Ensure accurate translation: Accurate language translations are important to maintain clarity and professionalism in the design. However, don’t use automated translation tools as they cannot capture nuances, leading to errors and misinterpretations.
Cater to text expansion and longer phrases: As Arabic text typically takes up more space than English, the user interface must accommodate text expansion fields and coding where applicable, particularly for long-form content pages. For this, you can add flexible design elements such as responsive layouts and ample spacing in menus and forms to ensure unhindered readability.
5. Test interface, design and translated copy with native Arabic speakers
Usability testing is required to ensure you create Arabic user interfaces that meet Arabic-speaking design standards. Detailed testing helps validate design choices and identify specific pain points. Through this exercise, you can ensure the final product is culturally and functionally relevant to the intended audience.
Conduct usability tests to identify pain points: All designs should be tested with native Arabic speakers to uncover challenges unique to the region’s linguistic and cultural context. This will help identify and fix:
- Misalignment in Arabic layouts;
- Responsiveness and layout issues on different viewports;
- Distorted navigation flows confusing the readers.
Make improvements based on feedback: The feedback you receive from users should be used for continuous improvement of the designs. When users report issues with understanding the interface text, use natural language with better typography.
Collaborate with Arabic UX specialists: Work with local testers, experts and UX specialists, the likes of which you can hire with Userq. Our SaaS tool brings you closer to the native audience so that you can gain access to authentic insights and localised expertise.
To sum it up
To create Arabic user interfaces, you need a deep understanding of cultural, linguistic, and technical nuances. Implementing the five key considerations above, you can build interfaces that are usable, inclusive, and accessible. Moreover, adhering to the user-centric requirements, ensures you meet functional requirements but also resonate with your users emotionally and culturally.
Ready to create interfaces that connect and engage? Join hands with Userq to implement these best practices and conduct expert testing, ensuring your designs are relevant and effective for Arabic-speaking markets. Get in touch today to elevate your digital experiences.
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