Exploring Saudi Arabian Artistry: A Conversation with local creative Rinad Alqathmi on the Diriyah E-Prix Poster

In Andretti Formula E’s ongoing endeavor to celebrate the unique cultural tapestry of each race destination, Andretti Formula E proudly presents the second instalment of our race poster Q&A series. For Rounds 2 and 3 of the Championship, we had the privilege of collaborating with Rinad Alqathmi, a multi-talented content creator, artist, and marketing student hailing from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Rinad’s creativity shines through in the captivating poster designed for the ‘doubleheader in the dark’ whilst serving as a visual ode to the electrifying energy of this historic event in Saudi Arabia. Join us as we delve into Rinad’s artistic process, cultural influences and her unique perspective on capturing the essence of the 2024 Diriyah E-Prix through her creative lens.

Tell us about yourself – where are you from, what do you do?

I’m a content creator, artist and marketing student who was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which is known as the Bride of the Red Sea. Since I was a child, I have always been interested in the arts. My parents built a small studio when I was a child in order to support and enhance my drawing skills and as a result, I’m now fortunate enough to live my life as an artist after turning my passion into a profession.

What do you enjoy about being a creative?

Being an artist allows me to express myself through my thoughts, my feelings and my explorations of diverse cultures. Art enables me to transfer everything I see into simplified drawings and an aesthetic view in my own way.

We chose you and your work to represent Saudi Arabia – what does being Saudi Arabian mean to you?

Growing up on this wonderful land and seeing its cultural progress is a great honor for me. It is more than just a developed country – it provides me with unwavering support like water nourishes a plant. It fills my heart with love and warmth, like the rays of the sun. It guides my path, like a bright moon. It is a land where dreams come true and miracles happen.

Do you like motorsport? What does it mean to work with the Andretti team?

My deep passion for motorsport stems from the intrinsic excitement and positive energy that constantly drives me forward. That’s why I’m delighted to be collaborating with the amazing Andretti team, whose impact on the track and in history is truly pioneering. Joining forces with a team that continually embodies innovation, unwavering determination and dedication to excellence is an esteemed privilege and an inspiration to me.

What is your design process for this poster?

I had a lot of fun designing the poster, due to the great diversity in Saudi culture and the attempt to combine the authenticity of the past with a vision of the future. I had to implement many stages to reach the final result, starting with identifying the target group and understanding the colors and visual elements of cultural importance. Secondly, collecting all sources for everything related to the race. Then I moved to the third stage, which is drawing the initial sketch and having it confirmed by the design team for approval. Once the design is approved, we reach the fourth stage, which is adding the appropriate colors to match the event. Finally, I put the final touches, such as shadow and light, on the poster and prepare it for production.

Talk to us about the poster design – why did you include those colors and elements?

The Andretti Diriyah E-Prix poster combines the simplicity of heritage buildings and the modernity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into a simple artistic image, highlighting its distinctive desert nature. I chose a variety of colors associated with the culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to highlight the originality of Saudi civilization and to make the viewer relate to the environment of the Kingdom.

Our environment is usually associated with a mixture of warm and cool colors such as green, white, blue and brown. During the design stage, I wanted to collect the most famous elements of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, such as the Kingdom Tower and Al-Faisaliah Tower. One of the most prominent elements in the poster was the palm tree, which expresses the strength of the root of society, of which I was able to incorporate into the desert environment of the poster.

What are some of your favorite places and food recommendations if visiting Riyadh, Saudi Arabia?

I highly recommend visiting Al Masmak Palace in Riyadh. It’s a fascinating historical site that offers a glimpse into the city’s vibrant past. Wandering through its halls and exploring the museum’s exhibits is like stepping back in time, allowing you to appreciate the rich heritage and cultural importance of the region. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the stories of the visionary leaders who shaped the destiny of Riyadh. You can also watch all the events happening in Riyadh via the Visit Saudi website or application.

As for food, there are many diverse and delicious dishes that you may like, including kabsa, saliq, matazeez and jareesh. I suggest that you try all of them at Aseeb Restaurant in Riyadh, which offers all of these delicious Saudi dishes.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rinad Alqathmi for her exceptional design of our 2024 Diriyah E-Prix race poster and would like to invite you to delve deeper into her artistic perspective by exploring her work on her social channels below.

Instagram @renadalqthmi // X @renadalqthmi // TikTok @renadalqthmi