Programme Structure
Phase I: Ideation & Concept Development​​
3 weeks in duration
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​Fellows develop unique design briefs, define value propositions, and research their target audience and market. Their concepts are presented through sketches, concept statements, design intentions, and initial commercial insights. This phase emphasizes design thinking, market analysis, target user understanding, and concept development.
*Critique session concluding Phase I
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Phase II: Design Development & Prototyping
7 weeks in duration​
After finalizing the design concept in Phase I, fellows move into design development through full-scale prototyping. This allows them to explore scale, proportions, and ergonomics while simultaneously refining their commercial strategies by assessing material costs, production feasibility, and market fit. The iterative process leads to the construction of a partial 1:1 prototype using selected materials to test design decisions in areas such as joinery, surface treatments, and manufacturability.
*Critique sessions are scheduled midway and at the end of Phase II
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Phase III: Final Prototype Fabrication
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5 weeks in duration
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During Phase III, fellows focus on fabricating their complete, full-scale final prototypes with selected materials. Throughout this phase, they engage in hands-on studio sessions with the Design Lead, where they troubleshoot design and fabrication challenges, refine their techniques, and enhance material finishes. At the same time, fellows solidify their commercial strategies through finalizing pricing, exploring marketing approaches, and preparing to showcase their final outcomes.​
*Critique session concluding Phase III
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Showcase
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After the conclusion of Phase III
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An annual showcase concludes each cohort, and the final prototypes created during the programme are displayed to the public. These showcases highlight the Athath Fellowship's contributions to the local furniture design scene by making custom-made, culturally influenced designs accessible to a broad audience, ranging from children to adults.​
In addition to the annual showcase, fellows of cohort 2025 will present their completed prototypes at at Downtown Design during Dubai Design Week in November 2025. This will provide them the opportunity to connect directly with a wider community of decision-makers, and private clients.
​Seminars
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Scheduled throughout the programme ​
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The seminars feature a curated list of guest critics and seminar speakers. These individuals come from diverse backgrounds, and their expertise spans academia, industry, and support services. By engaging with these industry leaders, fellows expand their professional networks and gain opportunities for mentorship and collaboration.
Some of the notable past speakers include:
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Dr. Pradeep Sharma
Director of Arts, Culture and Heritage
Salama bint Hamdan Foundation
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Nada Debs
Designer & Founder
Nada Debs
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Caitlin Nation
Regional Manager MENAT
Normann Copenhagen
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Suraya Turk
Managing Partner
Legal Circle
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Omar Al Gurg
Founder
Modu Method
