Based in Beirut, Joe Elias is a full time volunteer in diverse art disciplines in and around the city.

After completing his studies in visual design at the Notre Dame University (NDU) in 2001, he started working as a visual communicator, art director, and consultant with local / international agencies and clients around the Middle East. His skills include -but are not limited to- publication, typography, branding, animation and digital design. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Education in Educational Management (M.Ed.), expected to be completed during summer 2018, with an emphasis on arts and music education.

In 2005, Elias co-founded “nimslabs”, a multidisciplinary design laboratory operating in Beirut (lb) and Cologne (de). The portfolio of “nimslabs” is diverse and encompasses communication work for both cultural and corporate entities, including international dance, cinema and music festivals, NGOs, filmmakers, as well as TV stations, banks, in addition to local and international brands.

In 2007, Elias joined the International University in Beirut (LIU/BIU) as a lecturer and juror. He helped institute curricula covering conceptual design, communication art, fundamental studies, animation, branding and typography. He has also organized symposiums, workshops, seminars and research presentations on both the undergraduate and graduate level. He is currently Coordinator of Graphic Design Affairs and Associate Director at the Institute of Visual Communication. In addition to his activities at LIU, Elias was invited as a guest speaker at the Lebanese University (LU) on numerous occasions; he is also a TED speaker.

In 2013, Elias co-founded “onomatopoeia – the music hub”, a non-profit organization dedicated to the dissemination of musical culture in the Lebanese community. His work with onomatopoeia has resulted in the creation of a self-funded cultural space, hosting various music-related projects. These include the music skills development program (MSDP), an educational program allowing individuals from various walks of life to study and exchange music knowledge. Elias has organized music talks led by local and international musicologists, and curated numerous musical performances encompassing a wide variety of genres, from traditional Arabic folk music and jazz to electronic and experimental music.