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DR SARA ALMUDHAF

Dr. Sara Almudhaf
Phone
+96524635217
Public Email
sara.almudhaf@ku.edu.kw
College/ Center
College of Architecture
Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor and Visual Communication Design expert with 20 years of experience spanning academia, administration, and the design industry. Proven leadership in higher education, government entities, and private organizations, including founding and leading a UI/UX design and software development company. Skilled in managing teams, overseeing projects, and enhancing operational efficiency. Committed to supporting students' academic success and cultural development. 

Degrees and Certificates
9/2014–5/2017Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), University of Minnesota, MN, USA
Curriculum & Instruction, Arts in Education, GPA 3.81 of 4.00 Points
Thesis: “Design for a Sustainable Future: An Autoethnographic Examination of Practical Applications of Sustainability for Design Education” (Published)
11/2012–2/2015Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), Rochester Institute of Technology, NY, USA
Visual Communication Design, GPA 3.93 of 4.00 Points
Thesis: “Sustainable Packaging Design Visually Explained: Guidebook Prototype” (Published)
8/2011–6/2012Graduate Credits, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA, USA
Visual Communications Design, 23 Semester Credits, GPA 3.30 of 4.00 Points
9/2003–1/2008Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Kuwait University, Kuwait
Visual Communications Design, GPA 3.15 of 4.00, MGPA 3.60 of 4.00 Points
Professional Experience

Administrative & Teaching Experience         

1/2023–1/2024National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature, Ministry of Information, Kuwait
Part-time, Chairman & Project Manager, Corporate Identity Committee
Design a Visual Identity to celebrate the Council’s 50th anniversary.
11/2022–7/2024Ayan Law Firm, Sharq, Kuwait
Part-time, Visual Communication Design Consultant & Project Manager
Corporate Identity, Signage & Wayfinding System Projects
7/2021–4/2022The National Bureau for Academic Accreditation & Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Kuwait
Part-time, Assignment, Design Team Leader & Project Manager
Worked in a team of 2 designers and 2 design consultants on a Corporate Identity project that involved research, design, and presentation.
6/2021–1/2022

Department of Communication Design & Interiors (CDI), College of Architecture (COA), Kuwait University, Kuwait
Full-time, Acting Department Chair

Administrative Positions Appointments Committee, COA, Member
Accreditation Committee, COA, Member
Academic Affairs Committee, COA, Member
Appointments & Contract Renewal Committee, COA, Member
Appointments & Contract Renewal Committee, CDI, Coordinator
Budget Committee, COA, Member
College Buildings Follow-up Committee, COA, Member
College Council, COA, Member
Research Committee, COA, Member
Scholarship Committee, COA, Member
Scholarship Committee, CDI, Coordinator
Strategic Planning Committee, COA, Member

 

3/2021–6/2021Department of Communication Design & Interiors, College of Architecture, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Full-time, Acting Department Vice Chair
9/2019–PresentMainstream General Trading Company, Kuwait
Founder, Owner, Acting CEO 
UI/UX Design & Software Development
9/2017–Present

Department of Communication Design & Interiors, College of Architecture, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Full-time, Assistant Professor
Undergraduate Visual Communication Design (VCD) Program

2023–2024College Council, COA, Member, Elected Assistant Professors’ Representative
2023–2024Academic Affairs Committee, COA, Member, Elected Assistant Professors’ Rep.
2023–2024Budget Committee, COA,  Member, Elected Assistant Professors’ Representative 
2022–2024Student Academic Advisor, VCD, Sophomore Year Students (2nd Year)
2022–2024Accreditation & Assessment Committee VCD, Coordinator
2022–2023Academic Affairs & UPC Committee VCD, Member
2021–2024Capstone Committee, VCD, Student Advisor, Jury Member
2020–2022College Website Committee, CDI, Coordinator
2020–2021Library Committee, CDI, Coordinator
2018–2021Lab., Facilities, & Safety Committee, CDI, Coordinator/ Member
2018–2019Assessment & Continuous Improvement Committee, CDI, Member
2017–2024Budget, Strategy, & Annual Report Committee, CDI, Coordinator/ Member

 

9/2007–6/2010Department of Art & Design, College for Women, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Part-time / Volunteer, Teaching Assistant
Undergraduate Visual Communications Design Program
9/2007–12/2007Department of Art & Design, College for Women, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Volunteer, Administrator
• Organized the course assessment files.
• Developed and designed an advising system and procedure containing students' 4-year plans and taken courses to ease the follow-up process on the academic advisors.

 

 

  Design Experience    

11/2022–PresentMinistry of Information, Kuwait
Part-time, Committee Member, Media and Content Team
Kuwait’s Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan 
9/2022–11/2022Public Authority for Housing Welfare, Kuwait
Assignment, Test Developer, Supervisor, and Evaluator
Prepare a Job Placement Test, supervise, and evaluate all Graphic Design Applicants’ responses.
5/2021–10/2022Secretary General Office, Council for Government Universities, Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Kuwait
Volunteer, Assignment, Visual Communication Designer
Worked individually on a Visual Identity project that involved research, design, presentation, staff training, and print management.
12/2020–1/2021The Cultural Attaché, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Kuwait
Design Project, Lead Visual Communication Designer
• Honored with the Grand Award. 
• Worked in a team of 2 designers and 2 design consultants on a Visual Identity project to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of China and Kuwait’s Diplomatic Relations. 
6/2010–8/2010Ministry of Planning, Kuwait
Volunteer, Assignment, Visual Communication Designer
Worked on the Kuwait Census 2010 Visual Identity and Awareness Campaign with 3 professional designers.
9/2009–10/2009Department of Art & Design, College for Women, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Volunteer, Visual Communication Designer
Department Interior Remodeling
8/2009–7/2011Office of The Vice President for Planning, Kuwait University, Kuwait 
Full-time, Visual Communication Designer and Researcher 
In Charge of the Visual Communication Design Division
12/2008–12/2010Secretary General Office, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Volunteer / Part-time, Member, KU’s Corporate Identity Committee, Visual Communication Designer 
Re-branding Kuwait University’s Visual Identity
7/2008–8/2008Department of Art & Design, College for Women, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Volunteer, Visual Communication Designer
Department Interior Remodeling
7/2007–12/2007Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah: The House of Islamic Antiquities, Kuwait 
Internship, Visual Communication Designer
Worked on design projects for The Museum Giftshop in a team of 5 designers
2/2007–4/2007Promoseven Network Inc. (Design & Advertising Agency), Kuwait 
Internship, Visual Communication Designer
Worked on local and regional branding projects and advertising campaigns with 20 designers and illustrators.
3/2006–5/2006Department of Art & Design, College for Women, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Part-time, Visual Communication Designer
5/2004–5/2006Department of Information Science, College for Women, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Part-time, Visual Communication Designer
4/2004–PresentFreelance Design, Visual Communication Designer
Worked on local, regional, and international design projects for profit and non-profit organizations both the private and governmental sectors and managed printing process.
Research Interests
Design ExpertiseDesign for Sustainability, Responsible Design, UI/UX Design, Branding & Identity, Print Design, Typography, Information Design, Systems Design, Product Design, Environmental Design, Visual Communication Design.
Interdisciplinary InterestsSocial Sciences, Humanities, Education, Psychology, Human Health & Wellbeing, Ergonomics, Environmental Science, Biomimicry, Sustainability.
Academic Subjects

 

CDI16001603CrIntroduction to Sustainable Design. Fall 2022.
CDI16001013CrIntroduction to Design Theory & Criticism. Fall 2018, Fall 2017.
CDI16001004CrIntroduction to Design Studio. Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2017. 
VCD16202404CrDesign Studio I: Type & Image. Spring 2020.
VCD16204404CrDesign Studio III: Social Design. Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2019.
VCD16201303CrTypography Studio I. Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2019.
VCD16201163CrDesign & Advertising. Fall 2020.
VCD16202103CrDesign Methods Studio. Spring 2021.
VCD16203413CrInformation Design Studio. Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Fall 2018.
VCD16204423CrProfessional Practice in Design. Fall 2023, Fall 2019.
VCD16204913CrInternship. Spring 2019, Fall 2018.
AAD1103CrThe Art of Drawing. Spring 2009.
AAD2303CrBasics of Graphic Design. Spring 2008, Fall 2007.
AAD3363CrDesigning for The Web. Summer 2009.
AAD3343CrGraphic Design II. Fall 2008.
AAD4303CrGraphic Design III. Spring 2009.
AAD4363CrProduct Design. Spring 2010, Spring 2009, Summer 2008.
AAD4993CrCapstone Project. Spring 2009.

 

CDI     Communication Design & Interior Department, College of Architecture, Kuwait University

VCD    Visual Communication Design Program, CDI Department, College of Architecture, Kuwait University

AAD   Art & Design Department, College for Women, Kuwait University 

Publications
2017 Doctoral Dissertation
Almudhaf, S. (2017). Design for a Sustainable Future: An Autoethnographic Examination of Practical Applications of Sustainability for Design Education (Doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota).
2015 Master’s Thesis
Almudhaf, S. (2015). Sustainable Packaging Design Visually Explained Guidebook Prototype. (Master’s Thesis, Rochester Institute of Technology).