on the way to 403

on the way to 403 zine . 2026

floor mats . 2026

it's officially summer and things are very hot, and very slow – the perfect time to share a fun little zine i worked on to cope with the heat!

every time i visit my friend in apartment 403, i'm always drawn to the doormats outside other people's apartments along the way. each tells a little story about who's inside – some are simple, some are fun, and some are just pure cringe! i thought it would be a fun idea to photograph these doormats and collect them in a zine, titled 'on the way to 403'.

the zine is different from the work i usually share as it doesn't include any of my illustrations. but doormats are technically textiles so maybe there is a connection to my practice after all! regardless, it was a needed activity to do, stepping away from what i regularly do and try something different. another special thing about this zine is that it's fully riso printed, courtesy of my favourite riso studio in town, full special studio. the riso print quality really plays into the textures of these mats.  i'm really happy with how it's all come together as a final zine.

'on the way to 403' is officially out in the world and limited to fifty copies only (each are hand numbered and signed). stay tuned for announcements on where they'll be available very soon. 

bazyliszek (the basilisk of warsaw)

the basilisk of warsaw . 2026

here's a new post for the new month! i was invited by the uae board on books for young people (uaebby) to participate in this year's edition of 'folktales reimagined', an initiative where artists reinterpret folktales from around the world through illustration (see previous editions of 'folktales reimagined' here). as the emirate of sharjah is the guest of honour at this year's warsaw international book fair, the folktales for this edition are from poland. plus, polish illustrators had the opportunity to reinterpret and illustrate folktales from the emirates as well!

i was assigned the story of the 'bazyliszek' – the basilisk of warsaw. i worked on a single illustration to represent the story, adding an emirati flare! the basilisk here is inspired by the falcon, and the young apprentice who figures out how to defeat the creature is in traditional emirati wear, with an armour made of mirrors.

the final illustration above was exhibited at the national library of poland in warsaw alongside other reimagined folktales by emirati and polish illustrators and artists. i'm really happy with the final outcome of the illustration, and i hope whoever sees it likes it too! thank you so much uaebby for the opportunity to be a part of this year's edition of 'folktales reimagined' in poland. i've never been to warsaw – hopefully i'll be able to visit in the near future...

ending this post with the proposal sketch i worked on before moving to the final. there's something about the looseness and movement in the sketch that i really enjoy...

the basilisk of warsaw sketch . 2026

khalid says relax 2026

'khalid says relax' at dxb store announcement . 2026

 

'khalid says relax' t-shirt . 2026

i'm finally back with a new post and a little announcement – 'khalid says relax' tees are back!!!

in 2011, i launched a small collection of graphic t-shirts, including 'khalid says relax’ (see here), at the inaugural dxb store at art dubai. in 2013, 'khalid says relax' tees were re-released one last time as part of 'dxb store classics' (see here). the dxb store lasted three great years between 2011 – 2013 before closing its doors. 

in 2026, art dubai celebrates twenty years, and for this special anniversary edition, the dxb store is finally back! for the return of the dxb store, i've re-re-released a limited run of 'khalid says relax' tees to mark the occasion. after fifteen years, i hope my small nod to 1980s pop culture still resonates, and is a small reminder to relax when the world feels a little chaotic, especially during these current times. 

'khalid says relax’ t-shirts will be exclusively available at the dxb store in art dubai from 14 – 17 May 2026, at madinat jumeirah. make sure to head down to the fair and grab a tee or two before they're gone.

a couple of thank yous are in order – thank you to the dxb store team for reaching out to an og participant! i'm chuffed to be a part of the dxb store once again after all these years. lastly, shout out to the workshop dxb for always pulling through with printing.

ending this post with a photo of me wearing a (dare i say iconic) 'khalid says relax' t-shirt!

khalid wears 'khalid says relax' t-shirt . 2026

constellations for penhaligon's

'constellations' coffret by penhaligon's . 2026

'constellations' coffret by penhaligon's . 2026

'constellations' coffret by penhaligon's . 2026

'constellations' process . 2026

'constellations' process . 2026

i'm proud to finally share this very special project i worked on with the amazing penhaligon's. last year, i was approached by the brand to work on their upcoming ramadan campaign. i was stoked that a brand like penhaligon's were familiar with my work and wanted to collaborate! incidentally, they were drawn towards my textile visual vocabulary and wanted to incorporate it in the collaboration – a first for me when approached for commercial, client based work.

i worked on the visuals you see above through the first half of 2025, and i'm happy to finally see it out in the world! titled 'constellations', the artwork is inspired by patterns of stars and shapes in the sky. even though this was a ramadan project, i wanted the artwork abstract enough so it can live beyond the holy month and not look ramadan specific only. the artwork was applied onto a coffret, which houses beautiful fragrances by the brand, and also opens up as a backgammon board. the final product is so beautiful, and i'm truly honoured to be a part of it.

the 'constellations' coffret is a limited edition item numbered to 120 pieces only. so if you're based in dubai, the coffret is available at the newly opened penhaligon's boutique in dubai mall. and if in london, the coffret is available at penhaligon's regent street and harrods.

i can't thank the penhaligon's team enough for having me on board this project. it's moments like these where i feel truly blessed for the career i have built so far and the opportunities that come my way. to more collaborations as special as this one in the future...

ending this post with a short promo video via penhaligon's instagram page – hear me speak a bit more on the project here.

photography by ben cope, video by klaudia adamski, courtesy of penhaligon's

ramadan door

ramadan door . 2026

 

ramadan door riso print . 2026

it's that time of year again – ramadan kareem to all those observing. may it be a holy month filled with blessings, spiritual reflection and doing good. i've honestly struggled with ramadan in recent years, finding it difficult to discipline myself and properly follow through with the month. but like every year, i hope i can be better then the last. wish me luck...

and like every ramadan, i'm happy to present projects in the spirit of the holy month! here's a print i worked on in collaboration with my favourite risograph studio in town, full special studio. 'ramadan door' is a four colour risograph commemorating ramadan 2026, inspired by the beautifully intricate metal doors of uae homes which are slowly fading away. i'm really happy with the illustration, and even more ecstatic with the outcome of the risograph print! it has such a beautiful quality to it that only a risograph printer can create.

'ramadan door' is an edition of fifty, sized to a3 (29.7 x 42 cm) and officially available for you to get your hands on! prints are available directly through full special studio either by visiting their physical space in abu dhabi or through their online shop here. for those based in abu dhabi, prints are also available at mina creamery for a limited time so grab one of their amazing ice creams and buy a print or two! and for those in dubai, prints are available at my favourite independent bookstore, hobb.

i hope everyone reading this loves the print as much as i do. support an independent artist and his independent risograph studio friend by purchasing a 'ramadan door' print! it would make us so happy...

vinyl souk mini festival

vinyl souk mini festival dancers . 2026

vinyl souk mini festival early bird tickets announcement . 2026

vinyl souk mini festival poster . 2026

vinyl souk mini festival lineup . 2026

vinyl souk mini festival programme . 2026

at vinyl souk mini festival, 25hours hotel dubai one central . 2026

i had the pleasure of working on the visuals for the third edition of vinyl souk's mini festival which happened on 1 feb '26 at the 25hours hotel dubai one central. as an avid music lover, this was a dream project to work on! thank you to vinyl souk's dynamic duo jayesh and serina for having me on board and for the opportunity.

some of the things i worked on included the festival's identity, poster, assets for social media and a lovely lil' programme for festival goers to take and (hopefully) keep. i haven't worked on a visual identity project in quite awhile since most clients reach out for my illustration work. this was a good exercise to get my graphic design juices flowing and i'm really happy with the final outcome. i hope festival participants and visitors liked the visuals too. it was also great seeing more of my work, even if it was just for one day, around the 25hours property alongside the existing murals i worked on years ago in the lobby (see more on that here).

this is my second time working with vinyl souk (see previous project here). it was a blast working together again! here's to more collabs in the near future...

dallah door

 

dallah door . 2026

dallah door (print) . 2026

'dallah door' at the workshop dxb . 2026

'dallah door' at the urban house by the workshop dxb, sikka art and design festival . 2026

here's my second screenprint collaboration with the workshop dxb (see first print here) – 'dallah door' is a three colour screenprint inspired by the beautiful metal doors of old, traditional homes that are rarely seen today.

'dallah door' is exhibited at this year's sikka art & design festival from january 23 – february 1 at 'the urban house' by workshop dxb. in case you missed it at sikka, 'dallah door' is also on display at the workshop dxb's hq shop at alserkal avenue alongside other great prints.

i'm really happy with how this turned out – thank you to the workshop dxb's ahmad for the opportunity to exhibit once again, and for sorting out printing. 'dallah door' is an edition of thirty and available for sale. and just like it's predecessor, it would make me so happy to hear that these new prints sell out.

lastly, for those asking, the arabic word 'dallah' (دلة) refers to the traditional arabic coffee pot!