At LAU, Yal Solan (BS ’15) chose a path that set her apart early on. Coming from a family rooted in science, engineering, education and business, her decision to major in graphic design was a clear departure from expectations. On campus, she moved between studios and artistic experiences that gradually reshaped her career. What began as a focus on design expanded into a broader creative practice that continues to evolve across disciplines and media.

That trajectory crystallized through experimentation with different creative services, from album covers and graphic design to animated videos and edits. While producing demos for other artists, she began taking on more of the process herself—writing scripts, recording voiceovers, and refining the final output. Client feedback soon confirmed the direction, as her versions were often preferred over outsourced work.

“It was a lightbulb moment,” Solan recalls. “And since then, I started saying, okay, I’m an A-to-Z animator. I can script write, voiceover, even add in sound effects, mix them with music… It’s a full-on thing from start to finish.”

That early shift was followed by a clearer sense of purpose after graduation, where she found herself working with NGOs, “because if the power of being a graphic designer and animator—and turning information into visuals and visual storytelling—doesn’t come without a cause, it’s pretty much meaningless,” she says.

Her commitment to purpose-driven work is grounded in both intention and awareness. “A big part of design and animation is psychology,” she adds. “First of all, you have to care… If I have a skill, I want to put it in the place where I’m actually serving a higher purpose.”

This belief defined the next phase of her career: A nine-year independent practice in animation and visual storytelling for advocacy-driven campaigns, working with organizations such as Rainforest Action Network, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Amnesty International, Global Forest Coalition, ITPC MENA and the British Council.

A parallel career emerged from her venture into the performing arts while still at LAU. “It was the starting point,” she says of joining the university choir. “I hadn’t had any kind of exposure to it before… I went there, I auditioned, and got in.” Under the direction of Leila Dabaghi, she trained as a soprano while continuing her design studies. “I owe a lot to her, because probably without it, I wouldn’t have known that I may have a voice I can sing with.”

Now, music and performance are a part of Solan’s life. She performs original songs with her ensemble band and has contributed to several LAU initiatives, including fashion modeling at the annual LAU fashion show and performing at the inauguration of the Gezairi Building, as well as performing in and desiging at TEDxLAUWomen in collaboration with the Arab Institute for Women (AiW).

Her creative practice is defined by integration rather than separation. “I’m a firm believer in all these artistic disciplines working together,” she says. “Especially nowadays… It’s very one-dimensional to have one form of creativity.” Sustaining that range, while exciting, is not easy and requires perseverance. The balance, she adds, is constantly shifting.

Throughout it all, graphic design remained her anchor, shaping her work across music, performance and branding. In addition to her professional pursuits, she co-founded Alternative Kitchen, a platform that promotes plant-based living and advocates for sustainability, health and animal rights.

Looking back, she acknowledges the uncertainty that came with following her artistic calling. “It was really scary the first few years,” she says. “You don’t know what the future holds.”

Her advice to current students reflects that same conviction. “Don’t hold back on doing what you love, because this love will fuel you,” she says. “If your energy is drained doing something you don’t love, you’re not going to have the energy to do anything.”