Established in 2013, Tashkeel’s Design Program is now in its third year of supporting UAE-based designers to develop a range of products which work towards defining a production process, design and aesthetic that responds to its environment, the Emirates. As part of Tashkeel’s long-term commitment to supporting locally-based designers, this programme enhances the diversity of the region’s cultural skills and resources, influenced from traditional to modern elements of the UAE. Tashkeel annually selects talented designers from an open call, providing an opportunity to create products that exemplify a design, style and production processes innate to the UAE.
This year the judging panel has selected the following designers: Amer Aldour, Zuleika Penniman, Jumana Taha and Mentalla Said, from an overwhelming number of applications. Final products will be showcased and available under Tashkeel’s design product label ‘Tanween’ during Design Days Dubai during March 2016.
In collaboration with Small is Beautiful, a research program and annual global conference which supports and inspires creative micro businesses, providing the designers with an exclusive opportunity of sustained mentorship with established designers and curators through a series of workshops. With continuous evaluation throughout the programme, the designers are encouraged to produce work individually and in groups, encouraging experimental and collaborative practice, while receiving constructive feedback and exploring new methods.
This year the program will be supported by the Dubai Design & Fashion Council (DDFC) that was established following a Royal decree last year by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, to raise the profile of the Emirate as a global destination for design, and to create opportunities for emerging regional design and fashion talents. By building a framework for the industry, the DDFC aims to position Dubai as the emerging center for design and fashion.
Lateefa bint Maktoum, Founder and Director of Tashkeel says about this program: “Here at Tashkeel our aim is to ensure that artists and designers have a place to develop and refine their work, finding their voice within the medium they choose, and that they have a venue to showcase those results. Now in its third edition, our Design Programme continues to provide opportunities for emerging designers and the generous support that we are receiving this year from the Dubai Design & Fashion Council will add so much to the programme, providing access to their wide network of mentors, in addition to the specialists who will be delivering the programme of workshops. I am delighted with the success the programme has achieved to date. Through Tashkeel we aim to have a strong impact on the development of the art and design scene and to nurture the best talent we can find from designers living and working in the UAE.”
Nez Gebreel, CEO of the Dubai Design & Fashion Council, commented: “Incubating and developing talent is a key initiative of the DDFC. We are proud to be a part of this edition of the Design Programme as strong supporters of the design community in the country, especially one which is aligned closely with our mandate in supporting designers within the UAE,” There is a tremendous amount of talent in Dubai and we are pleased to support mentorship opportunities such as Tashkeel’s Design programme which
Architect and engineer Amer Aldour, jewellery designer Zuleika Penniman, and duo Jumana Taha and Mentalla Said, will begin work on the development of their prototypes through a series of laboratories developed in collaboration with Roanne Dods, co-producer of Small is Beautiful, as well as design collective Glithero, Fi Scott, founder of Make Works, Amanda Game, curator at the RCA London and further experts in related fields.
To view a film of last year’s edition of the Tashkeel Design Program, please click here.
