When Nisrine Mehdi (BA ’93) began her career as an art director in multinational advertising agencies, she carried with her the creative foundation she had gained at LAU. But she soon realized that she wanted to build something more personal, something that reflected her identity, her vision and connection to art, culture and storytelling.

That instinct to carve out one’s own direction was not always the obvious route for a graduate in advertising design at the time, particularly in a region where structured agency careers were often seen as the most stable. Still, bold enough to take the risk, Mehdi summoned the resilience and financial acumen to gradually move into ventures that blended design, cultural programming and large-scale creative production.

Over the years, she held senior creative roles across the Middle East, co-founded the Middle East Film and Comic Con and contributed to the launch of Dubai Art Season, helping shape initiatives that have become landmarks in the region’s cultural calendar. “I realized my purpose wasn’t just creating a space for me,” she said. “It was creating platforms and opportunities for others.”

In 2014, she founded Room-Five, a Dubai-based creative facility that supports artists, designers and cultural initiatives across the UAE. What began as a personal creative venture evolved into a collaborative platform connecting practitioners across disciplines, and supporting exhibitions, festivals and cultural programming. Her work reflects a broader shift in the Middle East’s creative industries, as the region moves from being seen as emerging to actively defining itself as a global hub for art, design and culture.

“Entrepreneurship became a natural extension of that inner world. It allowed me to build something that reflected my identity and create a space where art, culture and storytelling intersect in a genuine way,” she said.

Mehdi credits her time at LAU with helping to build both her discipline and leadership mindset. She often reflects on the influence of late Professor Amin Al Khalil, whose mentorship shaped her approach to creative work and professional standards. Her experiences in the university environment instilled in her a sense of rigor and responsibility that continues to guide her career.

That sense of responsibility now extends to supporting emerging creatives. Earlier this year, Mehdi invited three second-year LAU graphic design students, Tamara Sawan, Elie Dimassi, and Marylyne Merhy, a fully sponsored opportunity to participate in the Sikka Art & Design Festival 2026, an Initiative by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. The initiative offered hands-on exposure to one of the region’s leading creative festivals, where students work alongside artists, curators and organizers while contributing to the production and facilitation of events. Mehdi said the invitation was about exposing students to the realities of the creative industry beyond university walls.

At the festival, the students experienced both the creative and operational sides of a large-scale cultural event. They engaged with artists from across the UAE, the GCC and beyond, gaining insight into how ideas move from concept to execution within a collaborative ecosystem.

“I hope the experience triggered something personal in them, something that helps define who they want to become creatively and professionally,” she said.

For Mehdi, giving back to LAU is not simply a gesture of support but a continuation of the mentorship she received. She sees opportunities like Sikka as experiences that can shape confidence, perspective and direction early in a young designer’s career.

“Supporting the next generation is my way of continuing that legacy, even if it impacts one student or creative at a time,” she said.

Her ongoing engagement with universities reflects a belief that strong creative industries depend on meaningful connections between education and practice. Through Room-Five and her wider work in the region, Mehdi continues to create pathways for emerging talent while contributing to a cultural ecosystem that values authenticity and collaboration.

As the Middle East’s creative sector continues to expand, she encourages aspiring designers to stay rooted in their identity and perspective, “their strongest tools,” for “authenticity is what gives creative work depth and longevity,” she advised.

By opening doors for LAU students, Mehdi brings her journey full circle, ensuring that the next generation of designers enters the field with exposure, confidence and a clearer sense of possibility.

What she wishes for, she said, is that “emerging students get the chance to live the moments I have lived. From witnessing an artist who started at Sikka with no prior exposure go on to have a solo exhibition, to standing with my team after delivering one of the most impactful festivals in the country.”