
Adnan wa Lena (AWL) is a creative studio born from the collaboration between Adnan Arif and Lena Kassicieh. Operating on an international scale, AWL specializes in branding, design, illustration, and semiotics projects, bringing a unique cross-cultural perspective to creative challenges.
The agency's name draws inspiration from the beloved 1980s animated series originally created by Hayao Miyazaki that was adapted and dubbed for Arab audiences, where the main characters were renamed Adnan and Lena. This series became a cultural touchstone across the Arab world, with generations of children growing up with these characters as constant companions on their television screens.
The choice of name represents more than just a clever reference—it embodies the deep nostalgia that resonates throughout the Arab world for this era of childhood entertainment. For many Arabs who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, "Adnan wa Lena" evokes powerful memories of afternoon viewing sessions, school conversations about the latest episodes, and the distinctive animation style that stood apart from other children's programming of the time.
By channeling this collective nostalgia, AWL creates work that bridges cultural contexts and emotional landscapes, infusing contemporary design with the warmth and wonder of shared cultural memories.