Saudi Arabia’s AlUla is launching a pioneering initiative celebrating the creative dialogue between heritage and contemporary design through “AlUla Designathon,” a three-day journey of creativity, exploration, and innovation aimed at boosting AlUla’s position as a global hub for design and creativity, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.
Scheduled to take place from November 21 to 23 at Design Space AlUla, the program seeks to empower emerging Saudi designers by providing them with an inspiring, collaborative environment that fosters artistic and professional growth while celebrating cultural diversity.
Drawing inspiration from Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s designation of 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts,” reaffirming AlUla’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant design ecosystem that bridges traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation.
AlUla Designathon focuses on supporting young Saudi talents by offering opportunities to engage with AlUla’s creative landscape, heritage, crafts, and natural beauty under this year’s theme, “The Ingenuity of the Human Hand.” The theme highlights the intersection of human ingenuity, authenticity, and renewal.
The program combines inspiration, discovery, and hands-on practice under the guidance of international curators who will provide mentorship and technical supervision to develop prototypes in fashion design, graphic design, and product design.
Participants will take part in three days of field visits and workshops, beginning with inspiration tours and ideation sessions, followed by prototype development workshops and concluding with project presentations before experts and representatives from the Royal Commission for AlUla.
Organizers also announced the extension of the registration deadline to November 5, allowing more Saudi designers to join this creative event, one of the Kingdom’s leading cultural initiatives in contemporary design.
Through Designathon AlUla, the city reaffirms its role as a global destination for creativity and design, advancing national talent and building a sustainable design ecosystem that intertwines AlUla’s timeless heritage with future innovation.
