Tanween, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture’s (Ithra) flagship design event, returns for its eighth edition this week from 17 to 22 November in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, . Building on the success of 2024, Tanween transforms Ithra into a hub of creativity, innovation, and cross-cultural exchange, bringing together designers, educators, and creatives from across the globe. This year’s theme, Design the Unspoken, invites participants to anticipate hidden needs and respond with bold, forward-looking solutions, emphasising the subtle dimensions of human experience.
The programme features a rich mix of curated exhibitions, immersive installations, hands-on workshops, panel discussions, and mentorship opportunities. Highlights include The Exo-Cortex by French artist Jérémy Oury, making its Saudi debut, and Shared Oasis, co-curated with Ithra’s partner Isola, which explores design’s role in responding to unspoken needs and everyday rituals. Terminal G, developed with Iwan Maktabi and BrickLab, presents works from designers across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Lebanon, while the Grad Show showcases 54 projects from 26 universities across 14 countries, spotlighting the next generation of design talent.
Central to the edition are the Tanween Challenges, six-day design sprints under the theme Design for the 90%, where 90 participants co-develop real-world solutions across four tracks: the Global Impact Challenge, reimagining learning in rural communities; the Urban Spaces Challenge, designing inclusive micro-environments; the Product Design Challenge, developing multifunctional tools for farmers; and the Visual Communication Challenge, producing inclusive campaigns for diverse communities.
Additional programmes include Tanween Majlis, a dynamic series of panel discussions with regional and international creatives, hands-on workshops for professionals and enthusiasts, A Day with Experts mentorship sessions, and the Design Market, featuring 3D-printed objects, fashion, and decor. Across Ithra’s Plaza, Great Hall, and Lush Gardens, Tanween 2025 reaffirms its role as a multidisciplinary platform, connecting design communities and highlighting the transformative potential of creative practice.