United Arab Emirates

Athath Fellowship

Athath Fellowship, a 15-week intensive professional furniture design and prototyping programme for aspiring entrepreneurs, presented its fellows' market-ready prototypes at Downtown Design 2025.

Delivered in three phases, the programme consists of two primary modules: Furniture Design & Prototyping and Commercial Strategy. Additionally, a series of seminars is integrated throughout the programme, featuring guest speakers.

Fellows are introduced to a range of topics from design thinking, fabrication techniques, detailing, and material selection, to material sourcing strategies, cost analysis, marketing and sales, target audience analysis, and pricing. The final outcome of the programme includes a full-scale, commercially viable furniture prototype—designed and built by the fellow—along with the foundational knowledge to develop preliminary commercial plans for their design.

Connect

Visit the website Send an inquiry

An annual platform for the local creative community, the UAE Designer Exhibition showcases emerging creative talent and budding designers in a curated feature situated within the Downtown Design fair, with the aim of enhancing visibility for early-career UAE designers, expanding their networks and providing commercial opportunity.

‍Supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the UAE Designer Exhibition presents a showcase of independent designers and studios who design with purpose, innovate beyond tradition, and draw from cultural narratives through contemporary aesthetics and modern fabrication techniques.

Contributing to the development of a diverse local creative scene, the UAE Designer Exhibition will return to Downtown Design 2026, taking place 4–8 November in Dubai Design District. The exhibition offers visibility to a wide audience of B2B and B2C visitors, alongside opportunities for mentorship with internationally renowned figures from the creative industry, as well as potential participation in showcases taking place globally.

Athath Fellowship, a 15-week intensive professional furniture design and prototyping programme for aspiring entrepreneurs, presented its fellows' market-ready prototypes at Downtown Design 2025.

Delivered in three phases, the programme consists of two primary modules: Furniture Design & Prototyping and Commercial Strategy. Additionally, a series of seminars is integrated throughout the programme, featuring guest speakers.

Fellows are introduced to a range of topics from design thinking, fabrication techniques, detailing, and material selection, to material sourcing strategies, cost analysis, marketing and sales, target audience analysis, and pricing. The final outcome of the programme includes a full-scale, commercially viable furniture prototype—designed and built by the fellow—along with the foundational knowledge to develop preliminary commercial plans for their design.

Past Participants

Italy

Kartell

Kartell, since its formation back in 1949, has become well-known and well-loved for it unique products and commitment to innovation.

UAE

Urban Nest

Founded by Janaika Elders, urban nest is a Dubai-based design concept store and B2B supplier serving both design-conscious homeowners and the hospitality industry across the Middle East.

USA

Ceramicah

Ceramicah is a Los Angeles-based ceramics studio founded by Micah Blyckert and Alexandra Cadiz, creating hand-crafted pieces with sculptural forms and earthy finishes inspired by natural landscapes.

Part of

Lead Supporter

Athath Fellowship

Past Participants

More Exhibitors