Design Doha launches Arab Design Now, a First-Of-Its-Kind Book Surveying Design in the MENA Region

Design Doha, Qatar Museums’ biennial showcase for excellence and innovation in the design community in Qatar and the MENA region, has released Arab Design Now, an unprecedented survey of local and regional design talent across disciplines, from architectural and material innovations to contemporary crafts, furniture, fashion, graphic, and object design. Published by Qatar Museums in collaboration with Silvana Editoriale, the exquisitely illustrated full colour 360-page book, edited by curator Rana Beiruti, celebrates the central presentation of the inaugural edition of Design Doha.

Arab Design Now includes a foreward by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, an introduction by Glenn Adamson, Artistic Director of Design Doha and essays by Rana Beiruti and curator Noura Al Sayeh-Holtrop, detailing the diverse practice and philosophies that characterise contemporary design from the region; and profiles of more than 70 designers across the fields of architecture, furniture design, and craft.

The book’s design is based on an interstellar motif, which draws inspiration from the symbolic significance of stars in Arab culture. Each artist and collective featured in the book is envisioned as a key point in a network or night sky that links them into a constellation of creative perspectives.

Fahad Al Obaidly, Deputy Director of Programming and Partnerships of Design Doha said “This landmark publication is a long overdue survey of the vibrancy of Arab design and a deep dive into the creative processes of the amazing designers featured in Arab Design Now. This publication marks a significant moment for Design Doha as we prepare for our second edition in 2026. I am confident that this publication will not only become an essential reader for the advance dialogues about design in the MENA region, but also elevate the distinctive practices of our leading practitioners on the global stage.”

Arab Design Now is on sale now and available worldwide in both English and Arabic editions.

The launch event for the publication was supported by The Ned Doha and took place in the hotel’s Private Members Club on September 28. The special evening included a presentation and book signing ceremony by the editor Rana Beiruti.

For more information on the event and future initiatives by Design Doha, please visit designdoha.org.qa/en/.

Arab Design Now
Edited by Rana Beiruti.
Contributions by Noura Al Sayeh-Holtrop, Hozan Zangana, Hala Kaiksow, Hussein Alazaat, Naqsh Collective, Dima Srouj, AAU Anastas – Architects (Stone), Mobius Design Studio, Studio Nada Debs, Fatma Sehlawi, and Amina Agueznay
Co-Published by Qatar Museums/In-Q and Silvana Editoriale
Softcover with flap, with open spine, 160 × 220 mm
360 pages; 270 ILLUSTRATIONS
Printed in two editions: English and Arabic
Retail Price: €45 / $50 / QR180
Publication Date: September 2024

Distribution of the book in the United States, Canada, GCC, Middle East, Asia, Australia is handled by D.A.P. (https://www.artbook.com).

Distribution of the book in Great Britain, Ireland and Scandinavian countries is handled by A.C.C. (https://www.accartbooks.com).

Distribution of the book in the following European countries: France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, is handled by Garzon Diffusion International.

Distribution of the book in Latin American countries: Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, is handled by Garzon Diffusion International.