Ithra Design Challenges

About Ithra

Ithra welcomes you to a new adventure and new experiences that fuel your creativity, inspiration and…

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Unleash your inner innovator and challenge your creativity by taking on the Ithra Design Challenge!

Ithra Design Challenges is a dynamic six-day design sprint that offers a unique opportunity for designers across all disciplines to tackle real-world problems while fostering creativity, design thinking, and collaboration. 90 shortlisted participants from all over the world will get the opportunity to craft original, practical solutions within tight timeframes and limited resources. Each of the 4 challenges welcomes 20 to 30 participants (individuals or in teams) to put their creative skill sets to the test.

Supported by challenge partners and a supplementary program of workshops and talks, participants will gain the knowledge, mentorship, and resources needed to tackle their challenge briefs and propose practical solutions.
One winning project from each track will be selected for recognition in the Ithra Design Week closing ceremony. The selected project will then be pushed to the next stage of the challenge, working closely with the production partner to further develop and fabricate the project. All the selected projects will be featured as developed outcomes in an exhibition curated by Ithra in 2027.

This year, Ithra Design Challenges invites innovators to ask: What is the next norm? What feels fixed is often simply unexamined. Yet as the world shifts, so do we, offering opportunities for design to respond, adapt, and reconfigure what we’ve come to accept as standard. Rather than replacing what already exists, participants are encouraged to question the assumptions that shape it and reimagine them through design. In a world defined by constant change, the most impactful solutions are those that remain responsive, adaptable, and open to evolution, to design beyond norms.

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Challenge Outcomes

Gain knowledge

Participants will join a journey of collaborative innovation across various industries. Each challenge will welcome 20 to 30 participants to transform their ideas into tangible products with the help of challenge partners, a supporting program of workshops and expert guidance.

See your idea come to life

Beyond the one-week challenge, the Tanween journey extends through a comprehensive production phase, culminating in real-world applications that contribute positively to society and our planet.

Collaborate with production partners

The challenges not only foster professional growth and networking but also connect talented individuals with institutions and potential professional paths. Participants have the chance to witness their projects’ full execution until they enter the market, gaining financial returns and ensuring our shared legacy is marked by wisdom, compassion and stewardship for the Earth.