Curriculum Vitae

Amal Abdalla

Artist · Educator · Interdisciplinary Designer

As an artist and educator, I use an interdisciplinary approach that blends visual art and digital media with educational experiences. My practice explores the gamification of learning and the integration of cultural heritage into contemporary interactive design. My future work targets the unique artistic individuality of each person as they project their own interests and personalities onto my interactive projects.

01

Education

2025–Present

Ph.D. Student & Researcher, Art Education

Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
2022–2024

MFA, Graphic Design

East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
GPA: 3.7 / 4.0
Thesis
Blending Lines: Interactive Experiences with Arab Culture

Examines the integration of Islamic geometric patterns and traditional Kufic calligraphy into contemporary interactive design. The work bridges Arab cultural heritage with modern design practices through immersive physical and digital installations, including hand-crafted wooden geometric motifs with macrame Kufic calligraphy and projection-based digital installations driven by ultrasonic sensors and a Raspberry Pi that respond to visitors' movements.

2018–2020

MS, Creative Technology

Illinois State University, Normal, IL
GPA: 93.7%
2011–2014

MS, Art Education

Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
GPA: 82.0%
Thesis
Redesigning Art Education Book as an Interactive E-book
2010–2011

Diploma in Education

Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
GPA: 90.3%
2009–2010

Diploma in Curriculum Planning and Development

Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
GPA: 92.2%
2005–2009

BS, Art Education

Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
02

Experience

2019–2023

Graduate Teaching Assistant

East Carolina University & Illinois State University
  • ART 1011 — Visual Organization Graphic Design (ECU, 2023): Foundational graphic design concepts including elements and principles of design, typography, grid systems and layout, and a culminating final project.
  • ART 1014 — Narrative in Art and Design (ECU, 2023): Introductory course developing skills in animation and motion graphics through storytelling, visualizing, and animation production.
  • Software Design in the Arts I (ISU, 2019–2020): Building web pages based on standards-compliant HTML and CSS while following design methods for accessible, professional websites.
  • Designing Meaningful Immersive Experiences (ISU, 2019–2020): Current technologies including VR/AR and their roles in shaping mediated experiences.
  • Design and Culture in Creative Technologies (ISU, 2019–2020): How events in culture and society shape technology design, and how creative applications of technology affect culture.
2020

Research Associate

Creative Technology Program, Illinois State University, Normal, IL

Digital Darien Project: Researching and creating digital applications to display and educate about the Darien Gap archaeological sites and stories on smartphones and computers.

2019

Art Educator

Illinois Art Station, Illinois State University, Normal, IL

Taught the public about the visual arts through art-making. Prepared and taught a Stop Motion class for middle schoolers.

2016–2017

Activities Coordinator

MAS School, Urbana, IL

Designed and executed educational aids, school decorations, stage preparations, and invitations for school events.

2011–2013

Graduate Teaching & Research Assistant

Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt

Taught graphic design classes for undergraduate students. Redesigned the Art Education book as an interactive e-book.

03

Publications

2021

Carlson, K., Gill, L., Irannezhad, F., Abdalla, A., & Sunkajun, A. (2021). Uncharted Territories: Developing Digital Experiences for Anthropology and Archaeological Exploration. EVA London 2021: International Electronic Visualization & the Arts Conference.

2014

Abdalla, A. (2014). Redesigning Art Education Book as an Interactive E-book. Master's Thesis, Minia University, Egypt.

04

Presentations

2023

RCAW 2023 — Research Conference on Art & Writing

East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Title
Gamifying Visual Art Education: From Schoolbooks to Interactive Apps

Presented research exploring challenges in visual art education and solutions through educational game design. Topics included the redesign of an Egyptian art education schoolbook into an interactive e-book, the UI/UX design for an educational game application called Art Game, and a gamified application called Visual Balance for teaching design principles.

05

Exhibits & Workshops

2023

Empersand Exhibition — 'Balanced' (Poster Design)

East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
2019

Designing for Diversity and Inclusivity (Collaborative)

Culturally Responsive Campus Community Conference (CRCC), Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2019

Arabic Calligraphy Workshop: The Aesthetics in Arabic Calligraphy

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
2018

Digital Cardboard (Collaborative)

ATK450 Students Exhibit, Transpace, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2018

Bridging the Gap Between the West and the East Using Calligraphy

Culturally Responsive Campus Community Conference (CRCC), Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2018

Interactive Games Using Machine Learning

ATK380 Students Exhibit, Transpace, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2016

Arabic Calligraphy Workshop: Introduction to Arabic Letters

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
2009

The Nature of Daily Life

Students Exhibit, Palace of Culture, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
06

Honors & Awards

2018–2020

College of Fine Arts Graduate Tuition Waiver

Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2017

Excellence Award

MAS School, Urbana, IL
2014

Top Master's Thesis Award

Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
2009

Top Art Education Students Award

Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt