Qatar is rapidly emerging as a key player in the global design landscape, driven by a new generation of talented designers and original initiatives. Through platforms like M7 and international events such as Design Doha, Qatar is preserving its rich cultural heritage while positioning itself as a leader in the contemporary design world. This article explores the efforts propelling the nation onto the global stage
M7 – A platform for emerging talents
M7 is a space dedicated to Qatar’s innovation, technology, and design scene, built to help respond to the growing demand of new industries. This place displays various exhibitions and aims to create new synergies between artists and develop strong cultural programs with other countries. It has also become an important venue in the country, hosting multiple-scale events during the year. The creative ecosystem of the center offers various spaces for creators to work or present their production, like exhibition spaces, co-working rooms, studio and atelier, and of course a restaurant. There is also an incubator for young fashion designers.
More than an architectural landmark for Doha or a museum for Qatar, M7 is an initiative encouraging all artists and young designers of the country, but also foreigners, to pursue their careers. It serves as an incubator for the next generations of talented professionals within an industry that is still relatively new to Qatar.
New gen of Artists
VCU was the first art-focused school in Qatar was opened 26 years ago, and it was also the first American college campus to be built in Doha’s education city. The international university opened the way for the modern development of Qatar’s design community. Since then, numerous initiatives shaped the country’s capital city to make it one of the major cultural and creative hubs in the region, with a global reach stretching across all continents.
Abdulrahman Al Muftah is an inspiring example of this newly trained generation of designers. After undertaking a master’s degree in Design Entrepreneurship at VCU, in Qatar, he has continued working in the country as a multidisciplinary designer. His work was showcased at the M7 design hub in 2021, and he created multiple collections since then. Sustainability and reusable materials are at the heart of his creations.
The deep connection with Arabian culture is a central element of his inspiration. Nature, agriculture, and raw materials are all reminders of the emotions and memories driving his creative process.
Women Upfront
Women designers are ready to defend Qatar’s heritage and art while developing innovative processes and materials with a more sustainable and ethical approach. In the last decade, they started to be seriously considered as artists of their own, and given the chance to work freely, alongside men designers. Several Qatari women’s names are now globally recognized for their work and talent. Here are a few examples.
Shaikha Al Sulaiyi is known for her unique approach to luxury decor, especially since her Imagining Utopia collection. Her work features colorful pieces, and geometric and modern designs influenced by the traditional stained-glass windows of Qatari homes. Each piece reflects a different aspect of Doha’s life with a blend of tradition and innovation. But Shaika Al Sulaiti also stands out because of her sustainable approach to design, showing that luxury can be combined with ethical practices.
Well known for the brand she founded, 1309, named after her mother’s birthday, Ghada Al-Subaey has become a notorious figure of Qatari’s fashion scene. Inspired by her teenage years’ experimentation with fabrics, she is used to collaborating with other artists to create new prints and uses 70% vegan material in her clothes. Her latest collection celebrates the empowering connection amongst women, with design reflecting the balance between light and shadow as reminders of the resilience of the feminine spirit.
Celebrating cultural heritage with Design Doha Biennial
The Design Doha Biennial, launched in February 2024, provided an important platform for designers from across the MENA region. Some of the biggest names in various disciplines converged together in Doha to present their work and participate in unique programs and events.
The event’s central piece was the Arab Design Now exhibition, on display at the M7 from February to August 2024. This collection gathers works from multiple regional designers, focused on innovative use of materials, aesthetic and technical innovation, and the modern interpretation of art and cultural heritage.
There were nearly 20 different exhibitions to explore during the Biennial, presenting a wide variety of techniques and practices, ranging from ceramics, wood, glass, and graphic design to urbanism, architecture, and landscaping.
More than a gathering of exhibitions, Design Doha is also about interaction and exchanges, taking the form of workshops, forums, and learning labs.
Finally, a new special price was created to reward the creativity of 4 designers working in 4 different categories: product design, interior design, furniture design, and craft.
Of course, the Biennial is a clever move from Qatar, dragging attention to the country’s new ambitions in the cultural sector, with the recent opening of multiple museums and other initiatives, like the M7 and the forthcoming Lusail Museum. The point of this Biennial is also to create new synergies between the artists of the region, to allow them to exchange with each other, not only with the public.
Collaboration with other countries
Cultural diversity is central in Design Doha, like in the entire cultural policy of Qatar Exchanges with foreign countries have been massively encouraged by the state with initiatives like Years Of Culture. Every year, a foreign country collaborates with Qatar to organise common events about art and culture. This celebration of shared culture and history is a great occasion to create new bonds with international partners and to stimulate the design industry by bringing together the best creative minds of each country.
After 12 editions, and twelve different collaborations with countries like France, Indonesia, the UK, Morocco, and several MENA countries, Years Of Culture is a great success and a source of enrichment for Qatar. It should be renewed for several future editions, and grow even bigger as the country is increasingly turning towards culture and tourism.
Qatar’s design scene is showing how the country’s commitment to blending tradition with modernity. As new designers, supported by national initiatives, are gaining international recognition, Qatar is reaching a new status among the world’s leading design centers. The success of events such as the Design Doha Biennial shows Qatar’s capacity to influence global design trends while keeping a deep connection with its cultural roots. As the nation continues to invest in its creative industry, the future of Qatar’s design landscape looks both promising and inspiring.
qatar is not joking 😍