Author(s)

ROAA IBRAHIM ASSAS

Abstract

This study investigates Saudi character in general and its Islamic nature in the virtual world in particular. Big changes are underway in the country, evident in entertainment, cultural authorities, art, tourism and more. This paper takes the Ministry of Culture website in Saudi Arabia as a case study, a Ministry that was created only recently on 2nd June 2018 under the leadership of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud. This study found that the Ministry of Culture online interface design is simple and uses a mixture of warm and cold colours in a white space, which improves the usability. The content in general is easy to read. Moreover, the Ministry utilizes social media platforms, i.e. Instagram and Twitter, for advancing its agenda and propaganda. As a result, the design of the website is similar to the design of social networks popular in Saudi Arabia. This study shows how media is a great tool in shaping Saudi culture. It is also one of the aspects that plays a great role in changing the stereotype of Saudi Arabia, abandoning the image of a country that was dependent on oil, is culturally conservative and plagued with terrorism. In conclusion, Saudi Arabia is a rich and colorful culture emerging with a new image and the Ministry of Culture is significantly changing the old stereotypes in line with its vision of 2030. It was not as clear before as it is now as, unlike never before, this Ministry is now the mirror of the Saudi culture for the world to see.

Keywords

branding, web design, media, user experience, Saudi Arabia, culture, stereotype, Ministry of Saudi culture, interface design