Ithra Design Challenges 2026 in Saudi Arabia for Creatives from Around the World
Applicant criteria
- 18 - 60
- Both
Opportunity criteria
Opportunity description
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture – Ithra has opened registration for the Ithra Design Challenges 2026, an intensive design experience taking place as part of Ithra Design Week in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
The initiative brings together designers and creatives from around the world to work in multidisciplinary teams on real-world challenges, with the goal of developing innovative and practical solutions across different areas of design. The challenges will run for six days, from November 16 to 21, 2026, and will cover four main tracks: Urban Spaces, Product Design, Visual Communication, and Global Impact.
Around 90 participants will be selected to join the challenges. Participants will receive the guidance and resources needed to develop their ideas, while the winning project from each track will move forward to a subsequent development and production phase.
Benefits
- Participate in an intensive six-day international design experience.
- Work on real-world challenges with a strong practical and applied focus.
- Receive mentorship and guidance from experts and specialists.
- Collaborate with designers and creatives from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
- Access workshops and resources that support the development of design solutions.
- One winning project will be selected from each track.
- Winning projects will move into a development and production phase from December 2026 to April 2027.
- Winning projects will be showcased during Ithra Design Week 2027.
- Build professional connections and network with experts and partners in the design sector.
Eligibility criteria
- Applicants must be 18 years old or older.
- Applications are open to participants from around the world.
- Applicants should have an interest or experience in design or related creative fields.
- Applicants must select one of the four challenge tracks based on their background and interests.
- Applications may be submitted individually or as part of a team.
- Teams must consist of 3 to 5 members.
- Each team member must submit a separate application.
- Applicants must be available to participate in the full challenge period in Dhahran from November 16–21, 2026.