Ithra calls on creative Saudi youth to participate in latest innovation challenges

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Saudi Arabia’s Dhahran has launched six new design and innovation challenges for creative Saudi Arabian youth in the Kingdom.

The Tanween Challenges, which will run from August 27 to October 21, will allow participants to work with industry experts to design and develop projects and products.

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The different challenges also include workshops and courses that will be offered virtually and in person at Ithra.

The first challenge is “Reimagining the Crafts of Saudi Arabia” and will run from August 27 to 29 in partnership with Qormuz, a professional Saudi Arabian heritage product company.

Participants will be asked to create a contemporary product inspired by the Kingdom’s traditional crafts. The winning product will be displayed in Qormuz stores.

The “Visualizing the Data of Culture” challenge, running from September 2 to 4, is open for graphic design and multimedia students at the Imam Bin Abdulrahman Faisal University (IAU).

Participants will have to use infographics to tell a story about Saudi Arabia’s culture.

The third challenge is “The Future of Creative Placemaking” challenge and is set to run from September 5 to 7.

Participants will have to redesign a neighborhood in Saudi Arabia, addressing its shortcomings and enhancing its strengths. They will have to use their creativity to transform a public area into an attractive and sustainable community space.

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The fourth challenge is “Creativity Needs You” where participants will compete to design the most compelling single-picture ad on the benefits of a creative career for the general public.

They will have to work with professional copywriters and visual communication specialists to optimize their designs.

The challenge will run from September 17 to 19.

The fifth challenge is the “Cardboard Furniture” challenge, which will run from October 5 to 7.

Participants will create and construct original furniture designs using only cardboard.

The “New Outdoors” challenge will allow participants – in collaboration with the Riyadh-based design firm Product Care – to develop a physical product that will connect tourists with outdoor experiences in Saudi Arabia.

The top projects in all the challenges will be published or featured in Tanween. Ithra hosts several events throughout the year including theater performances, musicals, film screenings, workshops, and cultural events.

The King Abdulaziz World Cultural Center (Ithra). (Supplied)