id50 2025 – Product Designers

Karim+Elias

Karim+Elias is a dynamic duo of product designers based in the UAE, known for their innovative approach to local materials and traditional techniques. Their work bridges history and modernity, focusing particularly on desert sand and rammed earth – materials that are both abundant and culturally significant in the Arab world. Since founding their studio in 2022, they have sought to preserve ancient crafts while reimagining them for contemporary contexts. Their latest project, ‘The Desert Drops’, marks an exciting chapter in their exploration of sand and glass. This series delves into the gestural form of ‘droplets’, blending sand and melted glass to create visually captivating pieces. As part of this exploration, they debuted their first collectible piece at Maison&Objet 2025 in Paris, France, showcasing the unique relationship between glass and sand, inspired by the desert landscape.

Besides their product work, Karim+Elias have worked on ‘The Desert Relics’, a land art installation that debuted at the inaugural Tanween Festival at the Mleiha archaeological heritage site in Sharjah. The installation is a contribution to Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi’s vision of preserving Mleiha’s cultural and desert heritage. Twelve modular totems rise to monumental heights against the mountain backdrop – taking the symbolic form of stacked vessel vases, a grand bejewelled necklace or a set of ancient stones. Each piece is unique in colour and form and, like all ancient crafts, fully handmade of and from the earth.

Looking to the future, the duo is keen to create spaces with deeper meaning. As Karim and Elias share, “We’ve always envisioned our contextual work translating into spaces of spirituality or prayer. Our work is born from a narrative that honours the past and the primal significance of geo-heritage.” The duo roots their design philosophy in connecting to the land and honouring the past while reimagining it for the future.

Read their interview here.

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Omar Al Gurg, Founder of Modu Method

Known for creating interactive, purposeful objects that foster deep connections between people and their environments, Omar Al Gurg was recently the curator of the fifth iteration of the UAE Designer exhibition at Downtown Design 2024, where he worked with over 30 UAE-based designers. Currently, Al Gurg is working on an exciting project: a new show villa/majlis for Modu Method that he hopes will become a hub for creatives. “I hope to have a new community space where I can host other creatives and be able to develop the sort of environment that influences people to share their ideas more freely, without judgement,” he shares. This new project will be a coworking-friendly space that builds upon previous experiences while nurturing an open exchange of ideas.

From a creative standpoint, Al Gurg and his team are planning to shift their focus in 2025. “The team and I are going to be crafting smaller products that are more space-friendly. We went all out in the previous years with articles that are ‘large and in charge’, so now we want to create something just as playful, but more fun-sized for people to be able to enjoy,” he says. One of his dream projects involves creating a one-stop hub where people can collaborate and push the boundaries of material use. “I’d love to get to know what people are developing with all the technology that we have in today’s world,” he adds.

At the core of Al Gurg’s design philosophy is the motto ‘Get Personal’. He believes that interactive design leads to a more meaningful, sentimental connection with objects. “We always try to design to solve certain inconveniences, [and] that makes for thoughtful design that becomes interactive in return,” he says. What empowers Al Gurg and his team is a commitment to lifelong learning. “When we stop learning, we stop pushing ourselves to be the best we can be,” he reflects, underscoring the importance of continuous growth both in design and life.

Read his interview here.

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KAMEH

Visionary designer KAMEH is renowned for pushing the boundaries of product design through the use of unconventional materials. Currently, they are immersed in creating a new piece that promises to surprise both themself and their audience. “I’m currently creating a new piece using a very unconventional medium. The unpredictability of working with such materials makes the process especially thrilling, as I’m never quite sure how the final result will turn out,” KAMEH says. This dynamic approach to design is a key characteristic of their work.

When asked about their dream projects, KAMEH envisions two exciting collaborations. “The first would be with a performance artist, because I’d love to see how my objects interact in a live, dynamic context. Watching them in action adds a whole new dimension to my work,” they share. Additionally, KAMEH dreams of collaborating with a brand, which they believe would allow them to co-create and step beyond their usual aesthetic. “Embracing a fresh perspective often leads to unexpected ideas, and I find that incredibly inspiring.”

KAMEH’s design philosophy revolves around the concept of ‘perfectly imperfect’. “It’s important to me that people find beauty in imperfection and form a genuine connection with the objects in their homes,” they explain. They view furniture not just as a functional item but as a form of art, bringing a deeper sense of connection to the daily lives of those who interact with it.

Ultimately, what empowers KAMEH is the people they encounter. “I love people; I draw inspiration from the spectrum – whether they’re musicians, artists, designers, architects, everyone has a story to share,” they say, reflecting the diverse sources of influence that fuel their creativity.

Read their interview here.

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Aljoud Lootah

Aljoud Lootah is an acclaimed Emirati designer with a visionary approach to modern luxury. Based in Dubai, she leads Aljoud Lootah Design, a studio where traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary aesthetics in a harmonious fusion of innovation and elegance.

The studio’s portfolio spans diverse design disciplines, including furniture, lighting and object design. Lootah’s masterful use of textures and materials distinguishes her work, resulting in the creation of sophisticated, one-of-a-kind pieces. Her recent Falaj collection, featuring sofas and tables, draws inspiration from the UAE’s verdant oases. These designs pay homage to the organic curves, separations and reconnections of falaj water streams – a modern tribute to nature’s fluidity. Rooted in cultural heritage, Lootah’s design philosophy embraces a balance of tradition and experimentation. She consistently explores novel forms and techniques, crafting pieces that seamlessly merge functionality with artistic expression. Through her studio’s creations, Lootah has established herself as a trailblazer in the design world, earning widespread recognition for her ability to imbue contemporary design with timeless elegance.

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Nada Debs

Nada Debs’ work seamlessly blends heritage with innovation, creating pieces that tell stories of duality – where East meets West, craft intertwines with technology, and tradition embraces modernity. For her, design is not just about aesthetics, but about forging meaningful connections. “At its core, we are about duality – an interplay between contrasting worlds,” Debs explains. “This duality is not a tension but a dialogue: a conversation between heritage and innovation, East and West, craft and technology – creating a design language that is both timeless and contemporary.”

Looking ahead, Debs and her team are excited about the launch of their new space in Alserkal Avenue this spring, which promises to bring her vision to an even larger audience. “We are working on a new furniture collection called Bulbous, focusing on the carving technique,” she shares, also hinting at some secretive collaborations soon to be revealed. Debs’ dream project would be to design a boutique hotel, a venture that would allow her to expand her design language into a holistic, immersive experience. At the heart of Debs’ design process is her strong relationship with her craftsmen. “Our connection to our craftsmen is the source of our energy,” she says, acknowledging that this bond fuels both her and her team’s creative drive.

Read her interview here.

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