Tashkeel: Cultivating Dubai’s Design Future
At the forefront of Dubai’s creative renaissance stands Rania Naffa, Director of Tashkeel Dubai, the acclaimed arts organization dedicated to supporting and incubating the region’s emerging design talents. Founded in 2008 by Her Highness Lateefa bint Maktoum, Tashkeel is more than a creative space—it is an engine for cultivating a distinct Emirati and Gulf design identity in a rapidly globalizing world.
Under Naffa’s leadership, the flagship program Tanween has expanded its reach, commissioning local artists and designers to transform inspirations drawn from the UAE’s natural and cultural heritage—such as desert architecture, traditional weaving patterns, and native flora—into innovative products and installations. Tanween’s initiatives have garnered international recognition, with several commissions exhibited at Dubai Design Week and selected for global design fairs in Milan and London. This emphasis on regional narratives within contemporary design marks a significant shift from replication toward authentic creative authorship.
Beyond product design, Tashkeel engages in Arabic calligraphy workshops, critical design discourse, and mentorship programs, aiming to build cultural infrastructure within Al Quoz’s arts district and empower emerging practitioners. Naffa’s vision fosters a sustainable creative ecosystem where artists gain business acumen, technical skills, and international exposure. The organization’s educational programs also reach youth across the UAE, nurturing creative confidence as a national priority.
Tashkeel’s impact under Rania Naffa’s stewardship is palpable in Dubai’s evolving design landscape: it bridges the gap between tradition and innovation, providing a platform where local creatives can tell their own stories with sophistication and global resonance.
Photo credits: Tashkeel
Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.
Oksana Bozhko
Vladyslava Garkusha
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