Design Doha: Insights, Predictions, And Impressions

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by Alexandra Mansilla

Design Doha: Insights, Predictions, And Impressions

11 Apr 2024

On February 24th of this year, a significant event for the entire Middle East kicked off — the inaugural Design Doha, established under the leadership of Qatar Museums’ Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. This event holds great importance as it aims to celebrate regional design excellence, providing a platform for showcasing the diverse talents and innovative approaches within the region's design community. The biennale will run until August 5th, and it is truly worth checking out.

Who are the key figures we should pay attention to? What role does this event play in the design world? We had the chance to ask these questions (and more) to the organisers of the biennial, its guests and participants. A big thanks to Dmitrii Kitavin for his significant help in preparing this article.

Fahad Al Obaidly, Deputy Director of Programming and Partnerships of Design Doha

— What was the goal of the event, and do you feel you achieved it?

— The goal of the biennial is to cement the aesthetic and creative identity of the diverse Arab design landscape and give it a global platform.

In the opening week alone, we witnessed many instances of international engagement with MENA designers, such as Isola Design showcasing a designer from the Arab Design Now exhibition and inviting them to take part in Milan Design Week. This was after they noticed their work during Design Doha opening week and coverage of their work in international publications.

Examples like this prove that we more than achieved what we set out to do and are already seeing the impact of our efforts.

— Based on the event's outcome, have you identified areas of interest that you plan to focus on for future events? What zone was extremely popular among visitors?

— Our flagship exhibition, “Arab Design Now”, the Design Doha Prize, and the Design Doha Forum were the most popular programmes that audiences were interacting with. The daily networking events which took place during the opening week were also a great success, and I have similar programmes planned further down the line.

Hapiru Stool by Hozan Zangana, 2023; Medallion by Booabbood, 2023; Nahiru bench by Hozan Zangana. All images — Courtesy of Design Doha

— What design trends did you observe among the event's participants?

— Themes that stood out to me, common to the work of many of the participants, were the translation of craft to contemporary practices and the empowerment of artisanship and their local communities.

— Can you describe the design culture in the MENA region in a few words?

— From the land to the people. By the people to their land.

Ornamental by Lameice — Glass collection, 2020-2022

— Can you mention some emerging talents in the MENA design community?

— The ones that caught my eye were Abdulrahman Al Muftah from Qatar and Carlo Massoud from Lebanon. There was also Adrian Muller, studio manager of Muller Aprahmian, who produced Sahel Al Hiyari’s work for Arab Design Now. I very much look forward to welcoming him to be a part of our next exhibition.

Instagram: @carlomassoud

Jovana Zhang, founder of PINWU design studio and Róng Design Library

— What main conclusions have you made after visiting Design Doha?

— First of all, Doha took me by surprise! It's articulate, welcoming, focused, and stylized in a way that epitomizes a perfect design destination. The conclusion is clear: I need to visit here more often.

— What names of exhibitors should we pay attention to and why?

— I think the entire Design Doha biennale is incredible. I particularly enjoyed the exhibitions "Weaving Poems" and also found "Hundred Best Arabic Posters" quite enjoyable.

Courtesy of Design Doha

— How do you see the future of design in the MENA region?

— This is my first time visiting Doha and the Middle East in general. All I can say is that it exceeded my expectations! What is presented is a nice mix of modern contemporary vision with traditional craftsmanship. I believe that this is the right path.

Dmitrii Kitavin, Creative director and set designer at Kitavin Studio

— What main conclusions have you made after visiting Design Doha?

—The Qatar Museums team consistently presents stunning exhibitions with the highest level of organisation, and Design Doha was no exception. I travelled to Doha specifically for this event and was extremely satisfied with the selection of works and the way they were displayed. The curators did a great job and selected truly worthy designers.

— What names of exhibitors should we pay attention to and why?

— I was most impressed by the work of Naqsh Collective, inspired by traditional embroidery. The works are made of marble with metal inserts. Their details can be examined for hours, and, as is customary with traditional embroidery, every symbol has a meaning, and the pattern can be read like a chronicle.

Naqsh Collective. Courtesy of Design Doha

— How do you see the future of design in the MENA region?

— The future of design and art in the region seems promising, with nearly every country launching substantial initiatives to nurture the industry. This not only draws an increasing number of talented individuals to the region but also fosters the growth of local talent, brightening the prospects for the region's cultural landscape.

Anna Naumova, creative director of Chelebi

— What main conclusions have you made after visiting Design Doha?

— Doha Design Biennale holds great potential for innovation, sustainability, and cultural richness, driven by a combination of traditional influences, technological advancements, and global trends, which was beautifully curated with a great diversity of techniques and ideas.

— How do events like the biennale catalyse networking and foster support within the design industry?

— First of all gathering of industry professionals, since biennales attract designers, architects, artists, and industry representatives from around the world, providing a platform for them to meet and connect.

Participation in a biennale allows us to showcase our work to a diverse audience, potentially leading to collaborations, partnerships, and opportunities for exposure. It's always about networking and access to influential figures in the design industry.

By showcasing cutting-edge designs and innovative concepts, biennales inspire creativity and push the boundaries of design, fostering a culture of support and collaboration within the industry. The design showcases work with wide narratives and forms a cultural landscape of the region.

Photo: Nikita Berezhnoy

— Can you please describe the work that you are presenting during Design Doha?

— Our main goal was to show work made by local Azerbaijani artisans and the principle of designing objects which are based on national heritage and reflect the idea of how contemporary design can work with traditional art and craft.

— How do you see the future of design in the MENA region?

— The future of design in the MENA region appears promising, taking into account the fact that designers in the MENA region are likely to continue blending traditional aesthetics and craftsmanship with modern technologies and design principles, creating innovative and culturally rich products. There is a growing emphasis on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices worldwide, and this trend is likely to influence design in the MENA region as well.

With globalisation and increased connectivity, designers in the MENA region are likely to engage in more cross-cultural collaborations, exchanging ideas and influences with designers from other regions to create diverse and globally relevant designs.

by Alexandra Mansilla