Design Doha, in collaboration with the Years of Culture initiative, announced the Crafting Design Futures Residency Programme, a two-day celebration of design, culture, and craftsmanship taking place on December 1-2 across two locations: the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Education Centre and Clay Encounters.
The residency offers a platform for designers in Qatar to immerse themselves in diverse cultures while sharing their work through public engagement, thought-provoking panel discussions, and interactive workshops. Programme outcomes will also feature prominently in IN-Q gift shops.
Panel discussions will bring together leading designers and artisans to explore critical themes such as cultural identity, sustainability, and heritage-driven innovation, offering fresh perspectives on the intersections of craft and design. Interactive workshops will provide participants with hands-on experiences, including crafting traditional Moroccan zellige designs and creating intricate Palestinian Tatreez motifs.
The residency also emphasises cultural exchange to showcase the collaborative efforts of artisans from Qatar and Morocco as they merge traditional craft practices with modern design philosophies.
The programme: December 1 - Panel Talks at MIA Education Centre, 6-7.30pm - Material Narratives and Crafted Connections - The first panel will explore the intersection of traditional craftsmanship, innovative design, and cultural narratives with multidisciplinary designer Amine El Gotaibi, sustainability advocate Nada El Kharashi, and designers Sara Ouhaddou and Abdulrahman al-Muftah.
Wood, Ceramics and Memory: Shaping Heritage Through Material and Culture - The second panel will delve into the rich intersections of material, memory and cultural identity. Craftsman Hamza Kadiri brings expertise in wood and mythology, artist Majdulin Nasr Allah reflects on nostalgia and displacement, designers Reema Abu Hassan and Bouchra share their mastery of ceramics, and Amine Asselman highlights the Moroccan Zellige tradition. Together, they will reveal how heritage is shaped through personal stories and collective traditions, carving and moulding meaning into their designs.
December 2: Workshops at MIA Education Centre, 5.30-7pm - Design and Embroider Your Own Motifs - Majdulin Nasr Allah will share the story of Palestinian Tatreez embroidery and help participants create their own designs.
Venue : Clay Encounters, Old Doha Port Branch, 6.30-8.30pm - A Cultural Design Exchange - Amine Asselman and Reema Abu Hassan will lead participants on a journey to explore the art of Moroccan zellige design.