At our studio, we had the pleasure of working on a unique project called Laptop Sleeves, a creative Egyptian brand conceptualized by a group of talented Fine Arts students. The project was born out of their passion to create a contemporary and joyful identity for a line of custom-made laptop sleeves.

From the very beginning, the team was involved in every aspect of the project, starting with the brainstorming for the name. “Laptop Sleeves” was chosen to reflect the product’s core function—protecting laptops—while also hinting at the stylish and unique designs the brand offers.

The idea started with the name and extended to the entire identity, but what truly made it stand out was our use of illustrations inspired by local culture, specifically everyday elements like the sugarcane—a symbol of Egyptian street life. From this, we developed the creative concept of a character we called “Ninja Al-Qasab” (Ninja cane). This character became a playful and dynamic representation of the brand’s spirit—combining local tradition with a modern, fun twist.

Umm Kulthum. However, instead of a traditional portrayal, we created a caricature of Umm Kulthum, giving her a satirical, youthful twist that would resonate with a younger audience. This playful version of the legendary singer brought a fresh and humorous angle to the brand, making it both relevant and relatable for modern consumers.

The combination of these two illustrations allowed Laptop Sleeves to stand out in the market, offering a product that was both functional and culturally rich. The designs extended into the social media visuals, where the energetic spirit of Ninja Al-Qasab and the playful caricature of Umm Kulthum created an identity that was fun, engaging, and in tune with Egypt’s young, creative community.

The third illustration took inspiration from the lively atmosphere of the traditional Egyptian coffeehouses. In this design, we modernized the visual elements of a local café, incorporating iconic features like shisha pipes, popular board games like backgammon and dominoes, and traditional Egyptian beverages such as tea and coffee. These familiar elements were transformed into a contemporary illustration, using vibrant colors and clean lines to create a playful yet recognizable depiction of a beloved Egyptian tradition.