BFA+MFA 2022

Alhanoof Abdulla

Captain-Q protector of Qatar

Graphic Design

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Character development is the process of building a unique, three-dimensional character

with depth, personality, and clear motivations. Many authors create characters and worlds that resonate with readers around the globe. This achievement is due to the author inserting themselves into the characters and playing out their stories in fictional worlds - stories with deep, complex topics that may be difficult to tell, reaching out to others who may have had similar experiences.

Growing up loving comic books, I always wanted to read and relate to a character from this region. It inspired me to start illustrating and when one of my loved ones passed away, I wanted to use my skills to create a narrative exploring my experience with loss and my experience growing up as a Qatari.

Captain-Q is a story about a young Qatari boy named Jassim who lost his father in a mysterious accident and now has to take his place as the new Captain-Q superhero. The characters will be featured in serialized narratives with a comic-strip format. The reader explores the characters' environments, relationships, and motives in Qatar. This story and gallery of characters will reflect my experiences in the region. With my skills, I tell a story that resonates with so many Qataris like me who grew up in this environment.

Whenever a story is told about the Gulf region, it always involves stereotypes that are not authentic to the group of people residing in the region. Authentic representation can break down barriers, open us to new ideas, create powerful role models, and be a source of inspiration. Without representation in the media, we will be denying the existence of many diverse groups of people in this world. I believe that Qatari boys and girls need to see themselves in the character. They need a role model that reflects their experiences with Qatari culture making them feel less alone and proud of who they are and where they come from.