Courtesy of Swarovski.
When Dubai’s Swarovski Creative Center opened its doors in the bustling hub of Dubai Design District (d3) in September 2017, Nadja Swarovski, member of the Swarovski Executive Board said: “We look forward to seeing it become an inspirational hub for design in the region, helping to enable creative talent to develop and thrive.” And they are doing just that.
Following its opening last year, the creative space has just announced its inaugural Designer in Residence program. Aimed to nurture and support the local design community in the region, the program invites graduate designers who are based in the UAE to complete a two-month residency at the Swarovski Creative Center based in Dubai Design District, where they will create a sustainable, crystal art installation that will be displayed at the next edition of Dubai Design Week in November 2019.
Designers must have up to seven years of professional experience to apply for the program. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to a “crystal product presentation” to propose their design concept to Swarovski, who is tasked with selecting the winning designer.
In addition to having their final artwork displayed at d3 during Dubai Design Week, the winner will also receive sponsorship, design and application consultation, and PR and social media support throughout the duration of their two-month residency, which starts in March 2019.
“Prologue” Swarovski Installation. Courtesy of Dubai Design Week 2017
It won’t be the first time that the crystal jewelry company takes part in the annual week-long event. Last year, Swarovski exhibited “Prologue” by British designers Patrik Fredrikson and Ian Stallard – a large-scale, outdoor installation dreamed up with 8,000, glittering topaz-colored crystals – to celebrate the opening of its new creative center in d3.
Situated at the Mezzanine Level in Building 7, adjacent to Nakkash Gallery, the Swarovski Creative Center spans over 1900 square feet, and is set to host creative workshops, panels, exhibitions, and events for Middle Eastern creatives across fashion, jewelry, art, and film. Local designers are also encouraged to utilize the space to hold meetings and work on their designs. The new program joins the plethora of recent initiatives aimed at supporting homegrown talent from the UAE.
Applications for the Swarovski Creative Center Designer in Residence program are open from November 12 until December 6. The applications can be submitted to the Swarovski Creative Center in Building 7, Dubai Design District.
Now Read: 5 Reasons to Visit Sharjah’s First-Ever Fikra Graphic Design Biennial
