Designing Arabic and English in one system
Bilingual sites fail when Arabic is treated as a translation. Here is how we approach it instead.
A bilingual site is two designs sharing one structure.
Start with the harder language. Arabic sentences often run longer; a layout that only works for short English labels breaks immediately.
Match visual weight, not point size. Arabic type needs slightly larger sizing and more line height to feel equal to Latin text at the same weight.
Mirror the layout, not the meaning. Icons with direction, arrows and progress indicators should flip; photography and logos should not.
Write content, not translations. A benefit sentence written for an Arabic reader converts better than a literal one.
When both languages are designed from the first screen, the site feels native to both audiences — and that is what trust looks like.