tanween returns from 17-21 november, 2025
The 8th edition of Tanween, held at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran in 2025, returns with the theme ‘Design the Unspoken.’ Ithra’s annual celebration of design includes workshops, challenges, exhibitions and a grad show, to design markets, panels, and immersive two-day programs with global experts, Tanween gathers designers, artists, researchers, and enthusiasts from around the world. With contributions from entities such as Snøhetta, Concéntrico, calligraffiti pioneer elSeed, award-winning Saudi designer Lujain Abulfaraj, and top international universities, the annual program (17-22 November) reinforces Ithra’s growing position as a global platform for design dialogue, and cultural exchange.
To see the full program overview, follow the link here!
Tanween is back at Ithra with workshops, challenges, exhibitions and a grad show, to design markets, panels, and immersive two-day programs with global experts | all images courtesy of Ithra
workshops, panels, and full days spent with global experts
The Tanween Workshops offer eight interactive sessions designed to spark experimentation and broaden creative practice. Open to both professionals and amateurs, the workshops immerse participants in new design perspectives, encourage unconventional thinking, and strengthen technical and conceptual skills. Each session blends hands-on activities with guided exploration, enabling participants to test new materials, processes, and ideation methods that stretch the boundaries of their existing practice.
Another core element of the event is the fast-paced design hackathon, known as the Tanween Challenges that bring together 90 shortlisted participants from across the MENA region and the world for six intensive days of design investigation. Divided into four tracks — the Global Impact Challenge, Urban Spaces Challenge, Product Design Challenge, and Visual Communication Challenge — each sprint invites multidisciplinary teams to propose original, resource-conscious solutions rooted in design. Winners are recognized at the closing ceremony, after which their projects move into development with production partners and are featured in the 2026 Tanween Challenges Exhibition.
open to both professionals and amateurs, the workshops immerse participants in new design perspectives
Each challenge narrows its focus to a pressing issue or context, beginning with the program’s most socially driven track. Addressing severe educational disparities in marginalized areas, the Global Impact Challenge welcomes 30 participants to reimagine equitable access to learning. Designers, educators, researchers, and innovators develop early-stage concepts supported by expert mentorship, focusing on sustainable, entrepreneurial models that empower both students and schools. The challenge encourages turning infrastructural limitations into platforms for opportunity, reshaping education into a transformative force for underserved communities.
The Global Impact Challenge leads the program, inviting 30 participants to rethink educational access in marginalized communities by transforming infrastructural gaps into opportunities for sustainable learning solutions. Meanwhile, the Visual Communication Challenge celebrates Saudi Arabia’s multicultural landscape, tasking designers with creating campaigns that highlight cultural overlap, strengthen community identity, and build inclusive narratives through digital and physical storytelling. Both tracks emphasize empathy, research, and creative strategies that connect design with everyday social realities.
a core element of the event is the fast-paced hackathon known as the Tanween Challenges that bring together 90 shortlisted participants from across the MENA region and the world for six intensive days of design investigation
Building on this people-first approach, the Product Design Challenge turns toward regional heritage by asking designers to develop a functional gadget inspired by the date palm. Participants explore tools that ease agricultural workloads, respond to harsh environmental conditions, and honor the deep relationship between farmers, land, and palm. In parallel, the Urban Spaces Challenge addresses rising social isolation by reimagining shade as a catalyst for connection. Teams design pavilions that encourage presence, interaction, and shared experience, drawing on global research that positions loneliness as a growing public health concern.
Across all four tracks, participants prototype ideas, test concepts, and refine their solutions with expert support. Winning projects are celebrated at the closing ceremony and then move into development with production partners before being showcased in the 2026 Tanween Challenges Exhibition.
Eli Synnevåg and Mayur Mehta from Snøhetta during their Tanween Majlis panel discussion
a day with Snøhetta
Another major highlight of Tanween’s 8th edition is the ‘Day with an Expert’ program, which goes beyond conventional instruction, offering three intimate, two-day mentorships with leaders in the global creative field. Participants shadow experts, join site visits, engage in advisory sessions, prototype ideas, and share a networking dinner. Each experience is framed around professional growth, reflective practice, and transformative dialogue.
Led by Eli Synnevåg and Mayur Mehta, ‘Think the Snøhetta Way’ immerses participants in the studio’s distinctive approach to architecture and landscape through conceptual mapping, sensory exploration, and speculative interventions on the architectural landmark Snøhetta originally envisioned for Ithra. Alongside this, Saudi designer Lujain Abulfaraj offers a two-day creative reset focused on intuition and childhood imagination, supported by drawing exercises, moodboarding, and a discovery visit to Bait Barq Studio. Completing the trio, artist elSeed guides participants through the creative and strategic foundations of large-scale public work, including a field visit to observe a mural coming to life in Al Khobar. Across all sessions, dialogue, mentorship, and hands-on exploration help participants connect design thinking with personal growth and community impact.
the Tanween Majlis hosts 10 panel discussions featuring thinkers and innovators from around the world. from left to right: Shahad Alwazani (Tanween Program Lead), Natasha Carellais, Gabriele Cavallaro, Fahad Al Obaidly, Bisher Tabaa, and Meriana Wehbe
Other activities include The Tanween Majlis, which hosts 10 panel discussions featuring thinkers and innovators, as well as international design week leaders such as Natasha Carellais – Director of Dubai Design Week, Gabriele Cavallaro – CEO and Co-founder Isola Design Group, Fahad Al Obaidly – Director of Design Doha Biennial, Bisher Tabaa – Co-director Amman Design Week, and Meriana Wehbe – Director of Public Relations and Creative Events at We Design Beirut. Through these conversations that examine evolving landscapes across design disciplines, visitors are given the space to ask questions, debate ideas, and gain insight into emerging practices. In addition, Tanween’s six exhibitions guide visitors through a multifaceted exploration of contemporary design.
Additionally, set as a global launchpad for emerging talent, the Grad Show presents standout work by graduates in graphic, fashion, interior, product, and architectural design. Nominated by top universities worldwide, these emerging talents enter the professional landscape through Tanween’s platform, connecting with industry stakeholders and expanding networks across the region’s rapidly growing creative economy. The showcase shines a light on new design vocabularies, experimental research, and the next generation of innovators.
Last but not least, the Design Market brings together a curated selection of objects, from 3D-printed pieces and contemporary jewelry to fashion, graphic prints, and collectible décor. Designed as an immersive marketplace, it celebrates craftsmanship and experimentation while offering visitors a place to discover statement pieces, shop limited editions, and experience the region’s expanding design culture.
the workshops encourage unconventional thinking, and strengthen technical and conceptual skill
participants get to test new materials, processes, and ideation methods
each session blends hands-on activities with guided exploration
the Design Market brings together a curated selection of objects, from 3D-printed pieces to collectible décor
Tanween reinforces Ithra’s growing position as a global platform for design dialogue, and cultural exchange
designed as an immersive marketplace, it celebrates craftsmanship and experimentation
project info:
dates: 17-22 November, 2025
location: 8386 Ring Rd, Gharb Al Dhahran, Dhahran 34461
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