Design Doha, a biennial event organized by Qatar Museums to celebrate and promote contemporary design from Qatar and the MENA region, recently made its debut in Dubai. The event included a private event at Skooni Art Foundation & Residence and a ‘Reading Lounge’ activation at Dubai Design Week 2024 in the Dubai Design District. This international launch also marked the release of “Arab Design Now,” a publication that showcases design talent in the region across various disciplines.
The publication, released in collaboration with Silvana Editoriale, features 360 pages of exquisite illustrations and is edited by curator Rana Beiruti. It highlights the central presentation of the inaugural edition of Design Doha and aims to shape the future of design in the region. Acting Director of Design Doha, Fahad Al Obaidly, expressed the significance of bringing the Arab Design Now publication to Dubai and hosting the event during one of the region’s largest creative festivals. The goal is to spark conversations about design in the wider MENA region and emphasize the publication’s role in shaping the future of design.
The private event held at Skooni Art Foundation & Residence introduced the Arab Design Now publication to Dubai’s creative community. It featured a presentation by Al Obaidly and a panel discussion titled “Living the Dream: Arab Design Now,” moderated by Glenn Adamson, Artistic Director of Design Doha. The discussion explored evolving narratives in Arab design and included voices like Nada Debs, Omar Al Gurg, and Nisreen and Nermeen Abudail. Attendees had the opportunity to network with prominent figures in the design world, fostering connections that will contribute to the future of Design Doha.
Design Doha’s presence at Dubai Design Week includes the activation of a ‘Reading Lounge’ in the Dubai Design District, allowing visitors to experience contemporary Arab design while engaging with the book and its key themes. The Art Jameel Pop-Up Bookshop will have the publication available for sale, allowing design enthusiasts to bring a piece of Arab design history home. The participation of Design Doha at Dubai Design Week aims to strengthen ties with Dubai’s design community and promote collaboration among designers in the MENA region.
Overall, Design Doha’s debut in Dubai is a significant milestone for the organization and the region’s design community. The event not only showcases the talent and creativity of designers from Qatar and the MENA region but also facilitates important conversations about the future of design in the region. By bringing the Arab Design Now publication to Dubai and engaging with the creative community, Design Doha is paving the way for greater collaboration and innovation in the field of design across the MENA region.
