Calling all design visionaries, creative pioneers, and future game-changers. Get ready to be swept away by Design Doha, a groundbreaking new biennial launching in the heart of Msheireb, Doha's beating pulse of innovation. Mark your calendars for 24 February, 2024, because this isn't your ordinary design event. This is a cultural revolution, a launchpad for Arab talent, and a vibrant playground where East meets West in a whirlwind of artistic expression.
Design Doha will begin with a week of special events and exhibition openings from 24-28 February 2024, with programming continuing through 5 August 2024. The main exhibition, Arab Design Now, will be available for viewing until August 2024. The satellite exhibitions, namely Colors of the City: A Century of Architecture in Doha, Weaving Songs in collaboration with Turquoise Mountain, and 100/100 HUNDRED BEST ARABIC POSTERS Round 04, will remain open for public viewing until March 2024.
Here’s a glimpse of what to expect at Design Doha 2024:
Exhibitions that Defy Definition
Imagine architectural marvels intertwining with textiles woven from ancestral threads. Witness over 20 curated activations by regional design studios, each a portal into a universe of uninhibited creativity.
South Korean maestro, Choi Byung Hoon’s vision will find its permanent home at the National Museum, a testament to the power of artistic audacity. And soaring above the Doha Design District, a Dutch dragon, commissioned by Dutch designer Joris Laarma will take flight, a mythical symbol of the boundless potential within us all.
Arab Design Now: Where Heritage Meets Hypermodernity
Dive headfirst into a captivating survey of over 70 Arab designers who are redefining the future of design, curated by Rana Beiruti, founder of Amman Design Week. Witness how tradition is transformed through contemporary lines and how ancient craft techniques are reborn as contemporary masterpieces.
Sustainability becomes the hottest new trend, not a buzzword, but a deeply ingrained ethos. Prepare to be humbled by the ingenuity and resourcefulness of these design heroes, who are proving that progress doesn't have to come at the expense of our planet.
The Design Doha Forum: Where Minds Collide and Cities Reimagine
Stay tuned for thought-provoking debates with global design titans, curated by Dr. Jelena Trkulja, the Senior Advisor for Academic and Cultural Affairs at Qatar Museums. We're not talking about trends or color palettes, but about the very soul of design, its power to shape inclusive cities, equitable spaces, and a future where everyone has a seat at the table.
Imagine design as a bridge not just between aesthetics, but between cultures, economies, and ideologies. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and equipped to become an active agent of change in your own creative sphere.
The Designers Breakfast Club: Fueling the Next Generation of Trailblazers
Are you an emerging designer hungry to hone your craft? The Design Doha Breakfast Club, in partnership with design powerhouse FROMM (A design platform based between Qatar and Italy), is your launchpad to stardom. Expert coaching will ignite your creative fire, polish your portfolio, and equip you with the tools to conquer the world of design.
Whether you’re interested in interior, furniture, or accessory design – get ready to learn from the masters, network with fellow visionaries, and turn your passion into a thriving reality.
Open Calls for Designers
In preparation for the biennial, there will be two open calls for submissions. The first, the Design Doha Prize, will be awarded by an international jury to four design practitioners based in the MENA region. These chosen individuals, specializing in categories of interior, product, furniture, and craft design, will not only receive a prestigious monetary award but also benefit from valuable mentorship opportunities with top design experts, and gain exposure to international markets, enriching their careers and amplifying their influence in the world of design. The open call will go live on December 12th.
The second open call provides graphic design students, recent graduates, and established graphic designers based in Qatar the opportunity to work with UNESCO's Creative Cities Network to create the official logo of Doha Design City.
Design Doha isn't just an event; it's a cultural revolution in the making. It's a celebration of Arab excellence amplified on a global stage, a platform for collaboration that transcends borders and disciplines. It's a gateway to a future where design is not just admired, but wielded as a tool for progress, inclusivity, and a world that embraces the beauty of our shared humanity. So pack your curiosity, your thirst for knowledge, and your wildest creative dreams, Design Doha awaits.
For more information: Design Doha
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