Highlights from Tanween 2024

Tanween Projection on Ithra building, Courtesy of Ithra Studios

Taking place between 31 October and 2 November 2024, Ithra’s seventh annual Tanween Design Conference recently concluded in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, leaving a global audience of designers inspired to embrace and learn from creative setbacks. Under the theme of ‘Fail Forward’, Tanween 2024 brought together industry leaders, creatives and enthusiasts in a robust lineup of workshops, exhibitions and panels. This year’s conference emphasised the value of resilience and experimentation, creating a platform for networking, idea-sharing and professional growth.

Shahad Alwazani, Tanween Programme Lead, spotlighted the power of failure as a stepping stone to success, encouraging attendees to adopt a fearless approach to experimentation. The conference showcased engaging talks, hands-on workshops and exhibitions that transformed setbacks into moments of innovation and learning. Tanween’s keynote speakers included design veteran Michelle Jafery, who reframed setbacks as vital “stepping stones”, and environmental architect Guillaume Crédoz, who highlighted sustainability as an opportunity for reinvention. Visionary tech designer Ross Lovegrove urged attendees to “move away from the mechanical to the biological”, envisioning a future where design aligns with nature’s rhythms.

Throughout the conference, panels and workshops addressed diverse challenges in the design world. Artist and innovator Sebastián Errazuriz delved into AI’s impact on creativity, while curator Rana Salam encouraged attendees to reflect cultural identity in their design.

A centrepiece of Tanween, the Isola x Ithra International Exhibition showcased ‘Behind the Curtains: Scenes of Craft’, a display inviting visitors to experience the world of craft and material innovation. Ten acclaimed studios exhibited works centred on circular design and material research. Tanween also unveiled the Creative Solutions Residency Showcase, where attendees experienced immersive storytelling through cutting-edge technologies like AR and VR, showcasing Ithra’s commitment to pushing boundaries in design and storytelling. A highlight of the event was the Tanween Mega Challenge, where Ithra and the Pilgrim Experience Program announced three winning projects designed to improve the Hajj pilgrimage experience. Selected from over 60 international entries, the winning teams presented creative solutions addressing communication, waste management and health and wellbeing for pilgrims.