Ithra Announces Registration For Design Challenges At Ithra Design Week

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), an Aramco initiative, has opened registration for the 8^th edition of Ithra Design Challenges. This six-day design challenge features four creative tracks and will take place as part of Ithra Design Week from November 16-21 at Ithra in Dhahran.

Positioning design as a lens for inquiry and future-making, Ithra Design Week fuels exchange across disciplines, cultures, and ways of thinking, making a direct contribution to the creative economy in Saudi Arabia and beyond. This year's theme,“ What is the Next Norm?”, encourages participants to challenge existing assumptions and develop adaptive, forward-thinking solutions rather than simply replacing current ones.

The Design Challenges

90 shortlisted participants from across the globe will compete across four specialized tracks:

Urban Spaces: Designing lightweight, open-ended playgrounds to spark curiosity and spontaneous play in cities. Product Design: Reimagining classroom seating as flexible tools that enhance student engagement and well-being. Visual Communication: Creating a modern visual language to improve the accessibility and experience of electric mobility in Saudi Arabia. Global Impact: Developing multidisciplinary solutions to help communities adapt and thrive amidst extreme heat.⁠‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​⁠

Participants will engage in an intensive schedule of workshops and talks, utilizing design thinking to develop practical solutions under tight deadlines.⁠⁠ One winning project from each track will be recognized at the closing ceremony and will advance to a development phase with a production partner. All winning projects will be featured in a curated Ithra exhibition in 2027.

Exploring the Design Districts

Ithra Design Week will be hosted across four thematic districts:

The Scene: The hub for workshops and the venue for the Design Challenges. The Agora: An open-air space featuring art installations and interactive experiences focused on inclusivity. The Hype: A large-scale exhibition showcasing the work of design graduates. The Canvas: An architectural exploration of large-scale design installations within the Desert Garden.

Registration is open until October 24 via the challenges page on the official Ithra website:⁠‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​⁠ Ithra Design Challenges | Ithra.

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