About AIB
The Arab International Bank was established in 1974 by virtue of an international treaty concluded by the governments of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Libya, Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
I was lucky enough to land the opportunity to design the Gold VISAs line while I was a resident designer there. After extensive deliberation, the CEO asked for an ancient egyptian theme to match the bank’s historic status. Each card has either a landmark, or a symbol that would correlate to the modern day use.
Corporate USD card
The corporate USD card was created with a background of the Papyrus texture to show the documentation and communication method used in ancient Egypt; mirroring the contracts used in modern day international corporate transactions.
Corporate EGP card
The corporate EGP card was created by merging the "Ankh" the ancient Egyptian a symbol for life and life after death, and Isis's wings that symbolize prosperity and safety. Symbolizing the transactional nature of the card, while embodying the safety AIB provides for all the clients.
Debit USD card
The Debit USD card features close ups of tablets where transactions were documented. Tablets were chosen for this as they are the most spread out of Ancient Egyptian artefacts across the world; and the debit USD and credit USD are two cards most used for travel and international transactions.
Debit EGP card
The debit EGP featured the Edfu Temple which served as the stage for the divine marriage between Horus and the goddess Hathor. This union symbolized the harmonious balance between the pharaoh's power and the fertility and beauty represented by Hathor, ensuring the prosperity and continuity of the kingdom. Something that seemed very appropriate mirroring what we need in the most basic card that is used in everyday transactions.
Credit EGP card
The credit EGP was marked to be the highlight of the line by the bank. What more iconic landmark for that than the illusive Temple of Karnak. A place believed to be the portal to the soul of ancient Egypt.
Credit EURO card
The credit EURO card features the Trajan Kiosk, aka Pharaoh’s Bed, is a historic hypaethral temple that is located on Agilkia Island, in the reservoir of the Old Aswan Dam along the Nile River. It was attributed to the Roman Emperor Trajan from the times Romans were in Egypt, making it a great symbol for the Euro region and thus, the currency.
Credit USD card
The credit USD card features The Abu Simbel temple. It was constructed as a place for people to worship Pharaoh Ramses II as a god following his death. As One of the most famous and easily recognizable temples of ancient Egypt, it made for the perfect addition to the top used credit card of the line.