Dubai: One of Dubai’s biggest art and design festival, Dubai Design Week, is all set to return next week from November 5 to 10. And, with it comes a vibrant selection of workshops designed to spark your creativity and ignite your inner artist. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a curious beginner, Design Week has workshops for every skill level and age.
Fundamentals of Design in Sticker-Making
Age 14+
Tuesday, November 5, 1 to 2.30pm
Workshop by: Sara Al Mulla and Aisha Al Ameri, UAE
This is a sticker-making workshop, in which participants will learn to create custom stickers on their iPads using apps such as Procreate or Autodesk, guided by Sara and Aisha through the design process. They will have the chance to print their creations and take home a personalised sticker set.
Sara Al Mulla is a Dubai-based designer specialising in graphic design, while
Aisha Al Ameri is an Abu Dhabi artist focused on branding and photography, both pursuing their studies at New York University Abu Dhabi.
Mixed Media with Archival Photographs
Ages 18+
Tuesday, November 5, 3 to 5pm
Workshop by: Nada Al Mosa, Palestine
Nada Al Mosa is an Abu Dhabi-based Palestinian artist and creative writer whose work explores nostalgia, identity, and diaspora through mixed media, photography, and creative writing. She is inspired by her Palestinian heritage and is committed to preserving memory and chronicling stories of displacement.
In her beginner-friendly workshop, participants will learn how to incorporate pressed botanicals, embroidery, and other media into photographs to create unique collages. The session offers step-by-step guidance on pressing plants, embroidery techniques, and integrating personal or archival photos into creative art pieces. Materials are provided, and all skill levels are welcome.
Tufting Workshop
Ages 12+
Wednesday, November 6, 5.30 to 7.30pm
Workshop by: Handmayk, UAE
An exciting two-hour tufting workshop, where you can unleash your creativity by learning the basics of this engaging craft while experimenting with various colours, textures, and patterns to create your own tufted piece.
Hosted by Asad Azizi, co-founder of Handmayk and a professional tufter, the workshop offers a comfortable and inspiring environment at the region's largest creative festival, perfect for anyone looking to explore their artistic side.
Organic Soy Wax Candle Making
Ages 6+
Thursday, November 7, 3 to 4.30pm
Workshop by: Studio Kinza, Canada
Participate in a candle-making workshops using 100 per cent organic, natural, vegan, and cruelty-free soy wax, where participants learn the fundamentals of the craft, including scent mixing and the benefits of sustainable materials.
Committed to social impact, they also donate a part of the workshop sale to support communities without electricity, ensuring that participants not only enjoy a creative experience but also contribute to a meaningful cause.
Introduction to 3D Printing for non-Professionals
Ages 12+
Thursday, November 7, 6 to 9pm
Workshop by: Ahmad Al Kattan, Syria
In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of 3D (three-dimensional) printing, including how to make it affordable for personal use. A hands-on experience will guide attendees through designing 3D geometries, scanning them, and printing their creations to take home.
Ahmad Al Kattan, a Dubai-based concept designer and architect, focuses on innovative, forward-thinking designs with a deep commitment to sustainability, environmental, and social responsibility. He has over 10 years of experience reimagining concepts across various fields.
Elevate Your Design Business
Ages 21+
Wednesday, November 6, 1pm to 3pm
Workshop by: Fromm.Lab, Qatar, and Italy
This two-hour masterclass is designed for interior, furniture, and product designers, focusing on essential steps in the design process, enhancing creativity, and exploring marketing and distribution strategies. Participants will engage in interactive activities and discussions aimed at empowering their professional growth.
Henna Screen Printing
Ages 16+
Wednesday, November 6, 3.30 to 5pm
Workshop by: Roudha Bu Abdulla, UAE
The workshop will explore henna's use as a design tool, focusing on its pigment properties for screen printing and colouring with henna crayons.
Participants will create a multi-layered poster, combining henna paste for screen printing and henna crayons for adding colour.
Designing Classrooms for Wellbeing with Kidzink Ages 21+
Wednesday, November 6, 10am to 12noon
Thursday, November 7, 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Workshop by: Kidzink, UAE
The workshop explores the latest research in neuroarchitecture and environmental psychology, equipping educators with tools to transform learning spaces and enhance well-being, focus, creativity, and success for both teachers and students.
Kidzink is an award-winning company, which designs and manufactures eco-friendly, high-quality school furniture.
Tatreez Therapy
Ages: 8+
Date: Thursday, November 7, 3 to 5pm
Workshop by: Eman Alkhawaja, Palestine
Learn the Palestenian art of Tatreez, with Eman Alkhawaja. A tatreez artist from Palestine, Alkhawaja started conducting workshops teaching this traditional Palestinian form of embroidery, in 2021.
She has collaborated with organisations like Dubai Culture, Sharjah Art Foundation, and Al Serkal Avenue, sharing her art with over 500 attendees of all ages and backgrounds.
Her workshops cater to all skill levels, providing guidance in cross-stitching and freestyle embroidery. Attendees are also offered high-quality materials.
Glass Fusing Art for Beginners
Ages 16+
Thursday, November 7, 6 to 7pm
Workshop by: Hadia Roushdy, Egypt
Hadia Roushdy, an Egyptian designer with a background in Product Design from the German University in Cairo, discovered her passion for glass art during her studies in Berlin, making it the focus of her creative work.
The workshop offers a hands-on introduction to glass fusing, where participants will learn about glass cutting and fusing techniques in a safe and supportive environment.
Create Biomaterials from Organic Waste
Ages 13+
Friday, November 8, 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Workshop conducted by: Agro Biomaterials, Spain
This workshop will teach participants how to manufacture bioplastics from organic waste, showcasing the potential of this sustainable material as an alternative to synthetic options for designing eco-friendly solutions.
Open to all skill levels, the workshop is interactive, allowing participants to observe, ask questions, and take home a commemorative diploma along with a sample of the bioplastic created during the session.
Stories in Stone: Reviving Jerusalem’s Interiors
Ages 20+
Friday, November 8, 5 to 7pm
Workshop by: Georgina Abboud, Palestine
This masterclass invites architects, interior designers, developers, and creatives to explore revitalising historical buildings in Palestine, focusing on Jerusalem. Participants will learn design strategies for incorporating cultural elements into heritage sites while preserving cultural identities and blending modern design with traditional techniques to create emotionally resonant environments.
Georgina Abboud, an Interior Architect with thirteen years of international experience in high-end projects across various regions, leads the session. She is dedicated to revitalising historical buildings through the power of storytelling.
Curating your Art and Design Portfolio for University Admission
Ages: 15+
Friday, November 8, 5pm to 6.30pm
Workshop conducted by: University of the Arts London, UK
Getting ready to apply to a fine arts or design university? This workshop, hosted by the University of the Arts London (UAL), provides essential guidance for applying to portfolio-based university courses at all levels, covering effective project presentation and allowing attendees to ask questions about the application process.
Ranked second globally for Art and Design in the year 2022 Rankings, UAL consists of six well-known colleges, including Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion, offering a diverse range of courses in the creative field.
Rethinking Plastic
Ages 12+
Friday, November 8, 7.30 to 9.30pm
Workshop by: Precious Plastic, UAE
In the Precious Plastic Dubai workshop, participants will learn about the recycling process and how homemade tools can transform trash into valuable items. They will use locally made machines to shred, melt, and upcycle plastic into decorative or functional coasters, while also discovering initiatives at Precious Plastic Dubai and strategies for reducing plastic consumption.
Precious Plastic is a global online community that aims to change perceptions about plastic, encouraging people to view it as a valuable resource for creating new items rather than waste. The Precious Plastic Dubai Chapter has been part of this movement since 2017.
Differentiate by Design: Maximise Your Portfolio
Ages 17+
Friday, November 8, 10am to 12.30pm
Workshop by: Brand Lounge, Hungary
This masterclass provides designers at all levels the opportunity to present their portfolios and receive personalised insights from industry experts through one-on-one reviews with seasoned creative directors and design strategists.
Participants will also learn best practices for building an effective design portfolio, with practical tips for showcasing creativity, strategic insights, and technical skills.
Material Meets Tech
Ages 5+
Friday, November 8, 1 to 2pm
Workshop by: National Pavilion, UAE
In this workshop, participants will explore Dubai's architectural history from the 1960s to today, using personal photographs to create postcards that reflect their connection to significant local landmarks and spaces, inspired by the exhibition ‘Lest We Forget: Structures of Memory in the UAE’.
The National Pavilion UAE promotes contemporary art practices on an international platform and supports the nation's diverse cultural scene.
Eco-Tumbler
Ages 18+
Friday, November 8, 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Workshop by: Finders Keepers, UAE
Participants will learn hand building techniques to craft their own eco-friendly takeaway tumbler, helping reduce single-use plastic waste.
The workshop is open to all skill levels, with Sandy, founder of Finders Keepers, providing a supportive and creative environment for sustainable crafting.
Second Stitch: Breathing New Life into Old Fabrics
Ages 18+
Saturday, November 9, 2 to 4pm
Worksop by: Material Library of India, India
In this workshop, participants will explore the materiality of textiles and learn how to combine different fabrics into a single piece. Through hands-on activities, they will develop their own techniques, resulting in a reconstructed textile piece that offers a fresh perspective.
The Material Library of India (MLI) is a research and design consultancy that leads initiatives in material sciences and waste management.
Crafting Sustainable Spaces
Ages 25+
Saturday, November 9, 6.30 to 8pm
Workshop by: Paltic Studio, Lebanon
An engaging session, designed for architects, designers, and sustainability enthusiasts, it encourages participants to integrate eco-friendly principles into their projects by exploring innovative sustainable design approaches, materials, and techniques. Participants will also engage in a hands-on design challenge, collaborating to create a functional product using recycled materials.
Paltic addresses the global waste crisis by promoting conscious living and providing tailored workshops through its educational arm, Paltic Works. Co-founded by Nivine and Hala, the brand combines creativity and practicality to make sustainability accessible and engaging for everyone.
REbag
Ages 10+
Sunday, November 10, 4 to 7pm
Workshop by: Hybrid Art, Hungary
In this workshop, participants will repurpose large advertising banners by selecting sections of material, tracing and cutting out patterns, and assembling the pieces with various accessories and embellishments. The workshop coordinator will then use a sewing machine to create customised backpacks or shopping bags, allowing participants to express their unique personalities.
Hybrid Art Management, founded in 2005, has a long history of running programs in art, gastronomy, and sustainability. In 2023, they expanded into upcycling, transforming discarded advertising banners into unique product, while collaborating with organisations that employ individuals with disabilities, reducing plastic waste and providing meaningful employment opportunities.
Creative Covers
Ages: 15+
Sunday, November 10, 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Workshop conducted by: University of the Arts London, UK
Hosted by the University of the Arts London, this workshop invites participants to design creative content for promotional tools, experimenting with collages, montages, and images to create unique projects like magazine covers, social media content, and branding materials. Paper resources and magazines will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring additional images or printouts.
