A biennial showcase for excellence and innovation in the design community in Qatar and the MENA region is set to open in 2024 as part of Qatar Museums. Under the leadership of Qatar Museums' Chairperson, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Design Doha will provide practitioners from all over the Arab world with a new platform to build professional pathways and engage with acclaimed designers from around the world.
In addition to building museums and galleries and presenting great exhibitions and collections, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa said Qatar Museums also develops the nation's creative industries and helps emerging talents achieve success. Considering there are not enough platforms in our region for designers to showcase their work, the inauguration of Design Doha honors the excellence and innovation of our region's design community. Arab designers have a lot of talent, and we're hoping to provide a platform to support them as they advance their creative businesses and share their talent."
Inaugural Design Doha
The inaugural Design Doha will be led by Glenn Adamson from 24-28 February 2024. Events for Design Doha will take place in Msheireb, a creative neighborhood that fosters collaboration, creativity, and innovation. The Doha Design District is the heart of Msheireb, one of the smartest and most sustainable cities in the world, which was meticulously designed to be in harmony with local traditions and modern standards with the help of its bespoke Seven Steps architectural language. In this district, Design Doha plays an important role in further activating it as a creative hub.
More than just exhibitions
Besides architecture, urbanism, and landscape design, Design Doha will feature textiles, wood, glass, ceramics, and graphic design exhibitions. Among these are over 20 activations curated by partner design studios based in the region. A site-specific commission by South Korea-based designer Choi Byung Hoon will go on permanent view at the National Museum of Qatar, and a commission by Dutch designer Joris Laarman entitled the Doha Dragon will be installed in the Doha Design District. Juried prizes will provide monetary awards, mentorship opportunities with international design experts, and market exposure. There will also be a series of illuminating conversations with global leaders in the design and creative industries at Design Doha.
The exhibition program will be anchored by Arab Design Now, a regional survey of over 70 Arab designers, which will be on display from 24 February to 5 August 2024 at M7, Doha's centre for innovation, entrepreneurship, fashion, and design. Curated by Rana Beiruti, founder of Amman Design Week, Arab Design Now examines how local and regional designers balance contemporary design with traditional methods derived from the region’s heritage, with a particular focus on environmental and sustainable design. A century of architecture in Doha, Weaving Songs in collaboration with Turquoise Mountain, and 100/100 HUNDRED BEST ARABIC POSTERS Round 04 will also be unveiled at M7 during the biennial.
Doha Design Hubs
Design Doha will take place throughout the five-day biennial at Qatar Museums' M7, Liwan Design Studios and Labs and Doha Design District located in Msheireb, which is part of Qatar Creates, Qatar's national cultural movement that promotes, curates, and celebrates Qatar's diverse cultural activities and connects Qatar's creative industries to residents and global audiences.
Dr. Jelena Trkulja, the Senior Advisor for Academic and Cultural Affairs at Qatar Museums, curates the Design Doha Forum, the headline programming event for the biennial. This initiative aims to position Doha's design sector within a global context, with a particular focus on the design of inclusive and equitable cities. The Forum will bring together Qatar-based and international design experts, who will explore how design can contribute to creating urban spaces that are inclusive and equitable for all. The Design Doha Forum offers a unique opportunity to connect with designers, professionals, and other experts while gaining insight into the evolving world of design through engaging discussions and diverse perspectives.
FromM, a design platform based between Qatar and Italy, will run The Designers Breakfast Club throughout Design Doha. Through targeted coaching, this programme aims to enhance creative processes, promote personal and professional development, and equip designers with valuable skills for success in interior, furniture, and accessory design.
During Design Doha, Liwan Design Studios and Labs will host an event for creatives to launch their annual design publication, Al Journal, which connects local and global design voices and encourages collaboration and commentary on creative, cultural, and intellectual issues related to design.
Calls for submissions
Two open calls for submissions will follow the announcement. 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, specialising 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. On December 17, the open call will go live.
On 7 December, UNESCO's Creative Cities Network will launch the second open call for graphic design students, recent graduates, and established graphic designers to design the official logo of Doha Design City.