Tribune News Network
Doha
Design Doha, Qatar Museums’ biennial showcase for excellence and innovation in the design community in Qatar and the MENA region, has released Arab Design Now, an unprecedented survey of local and regional design talent across disciplines, from architectural and material innovations to contemporary crafts, furniture, fashion, graphic, and object design.
Published by Qatar Museums in collaboration with Silvana Editoriale, the exquisitely illustrated full colour 360-page book, edited by curator Rana Beiruti, celebrates the central presentation of the inaugural edition of Design Doha.
Arab Design Now includes a foreword by Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, an introduction by Glenn Adamson, artistic director of Design Doha and essays by Rana Beiruti and curator Noura Al Sayeh-Holtrop, detailing the diverse practice and philosophies that characterise contemporary design from the region; and profiles of more than 70 designers across the fields of architecture, furniture design, and craft.
The book’s design is based on an interstellar motif, which draws inspiration from the symbolic significance of stars in Arab culture. Each artist and collective featured in the book is envisioned as a key point in a network or night sky that links them into a constellation of creative perspectives.
Fahad Al Obaidly, deputy director of Programming and Partnerships of Design Doha said "This landmark publication is a long overdue survey of the vibrancy of Arab design and a deep dive into the creative processes of the amazing designers featured in Arab Design Now. This publication marks a significant moment for Design Doha as we prepare for our second edition in 2026. I am confident that this publication will not only become an essential reader for the advance dialogues about design in the MENA region, but also elevate the distinctive practices of our leading practitioners on the global stage.”
Arab Design Now is on sale now and available worldwide in both English and Arabic editions.
The launch event for the publication was supported by The Ned Doha and took place in the hotel’s Private Members Club on September 28. The special evening included a presentation and book signing ceremony by the editor Rana Beiruti.
For more information on the event and future initiatives by Design Doha, please visit designdoha.org.qa/en/.Internationally distributed catalogue celebrates headline exhibition of the design Doha Biennial