Beirut Design Week 2013 Report

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REPORT CONTENTS

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MESSAGE FROM ORGANIZERS & MAP

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EVENTS 24.6/ BDW13 LAUNCH EVENT: NEWCOMERS EXHIBITION MAR MIKHAEL DAY 25.6/ GEMMAYZEH & SURSOCK DAY 26.6/ BEIRUT 2090 POSTER COMPETITION & FOOD TASTING ACHRAFIEH DAY 27.6/ HAMRA DAY 28.6/ SAIFI, PORT & DOWNTOWN DAY

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BEIRUT DESIGN WEEK 2013 CONFERENCE

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THE CRAFT MASTERS TOUR IN BOURJ HAMMOUD

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WORKSHOPS

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COMMUNICATION & PRESS

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Dear Friends, For the second year in a row, Beirut Design Week took over the city between june 24th and 30th, exploring all forms of Design through exhibitions, workshops, talks, open studios, parties, film screenings, and the conference. In the streets of Achrafieh, Gemmayzeh, Mar Mikhael, Hamra, and Saifi there was an unmissable vibe in the air. During the hot summer days, groups of people walked along looking through their BDW catalogues searching for their next designer destination, while music, food and laughter surrounded others clustered around design studios or boutiques .

Last year, for the first time, we went on a venture to discover what a Design Week in Beirut could become. We let it grow naturally and organically into the second year; learning from the feedback we get from participants and stakeholders, and redesigning our strategies to bring a better experience to our audience. Therefore in 2013, due to popular demand, we organized the week so that each day is focused on a certain part of Beirut and it worked in perfect harmony.

As a non-profit organization, MENA Design Research Center is devoted to creating a platform for designers and design enthusiasts to share knowledge, to inspire and to trigger discussions about the role of Design in our society. Our dedication to uphold Beirut as the Design Capital of the MENA region, as well as bring in the latest developments in the field still holds as our first priority.

Moreover, with the launching event as the Newcomers Exhibition, we hope to help set the stage and empower young talented designers to step into the market and achieve their goals.

In this report of Beirut Design Week 2013, we have gathered the highlights of the week for your reference and enjoyment. Whether you were in Beirut or abroad, we hope this documentation will remain for you -as it is for us- one the many memories to come of the BDW initiative.

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO The entire team at TAGbrands, Anis Printing Press, Lebanese American University, Promonet Media, British Council, American Embassy, Danish Embassy, Platform 39, University of the Arts Philadelphia, Banque Libano-Francaise, Solidere, Saifi Village, AltCity, American University of Science and Technology, Le Gray, and all our media partners.

We look forward to seeing you again next year,

Doreen Toutikian and Maya Karanouh Beirut Design Week Founders and Organizers

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QUOTES

“Here, the disparity between what design means to the consumer and what it means to the producer remains agape. Experiencing both sides in close proximity is one of the pleasures of BDW. You can see Rima Khatib’s design art by the pool at Le Gray hotel, drive into the mountains for a demo of Architettura Sonora’s site-specific speakers, attend a panel discussion with Michael Anastassiades, and catch the Newcomers show with its unusual prints and outlandish prototypes.” -Wallpaper Magazine “It was great exposure which allowed me to sell most of my products. Being featured in such an exhibition gives credibility to my work and a push” Dima Boulad (Newcomers Exhibition) captioned from Executive Magazine

The food design workshop was a great experience. We had never experimented with food as creatively as we did with Ms Wehrung!” Hasan Bdeir (participant in Food Design workshop)

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“Beirut Design Week acts as trampoline for Lebanon’s creative community. Providing a glimpse into the sociopsychographic of a nation in transition, this provides visual testimony of the unbreakable spirit of Lebanon, even riddled with conflict, political instability and economic recession. Feeling like cultural Columbus, I followed the Beirut’s inner compass able to explore the interesting, inspiring and intriguing initiatives developed by Lebanon’s designers and artists.” -Soniya Kirpalani, Documentary Filmmaker

“Doreen Toutikian and Maya Karanouh are wonder women. This is how we can explain the feats of strength they’ve performed during Beirut Design Week 2013. The MENA Design Research Center event served as a laudable platform of cultural exchange between our city and the world. Third time may be a charm, yet we were charmed and bewitched the second time around.” -Curve Magazine

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WHERE?

This is the official map of Beirut Design Week 2013, indicating over 60 venues where open studios, events, workshops, talks, exhibitions, conferences, and tours took place. The densest areas are Mar Mikhael and Saifi Village, then follow Gemmayzeh and Hamra. Achrafieh is the most dispersed. The whole concept behind Beirut Design Week is defiant to traditional fairs, because we encourage people to leave their cars, take the map and walk in the inner streets and large roads of Beirut, discovering all the little design boutiques and studios, meeting new people from the same community and interacting with the country’s most prominent and upcoming designers and architects.

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WHEN?

24-30 /06/2013

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PARTICIPANTS

WORKSHOPS

WHEN?

WHEN?

2012 2013 WHEN?

2012 2013 WHEN?

9 29 52

84

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LOCATIONS

LIKES

WHEN?

WHEN?

WHEN?

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2012 2013

2012 2013 WHEN?

EVENTS EXHIBITIONS, TALKS, CONFERENCE, FILMS

2012 2013 WHEN?

WHEN?

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42 EVENTS EXHIBITIONS, COLLECTION LAUNCHES, RECEPTIONS, & MORE

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24.6 BDW13 LAUNCH EVENT: NEWCOMERS EXHIBITION

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The NEWCOMERS EXHIBITION was the launching event of BDW 2014 at atelier NS in mar mikhael. The street was closed down with the help of the local municipality, where a general audience of more than 400 people enjoyed a night of design, conversation, drinks, and food.

WHO? The 10 newcomer designers of Beirut Design Week 2013 come from different fields and backgrounds. They are dima boulad, facmodo design, ghassan salameh, jo baaklini, maya khouri, nadeen khatoun, premonious, patil tchilinguirian, postextiles (UK), satish by roula dfouni, and scene beirut. MENA Design Research Center continues to support the young designers entrepreneurship ecosystem throughout the year, by helping with marketing, other promotional events, funding, consulting and building a collective community.

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24.6 MAR MIKHAEL DAY

The Mar Mikhael day along with the Newcomers Exhibition included Cynthia Raffoul, Madame Reve, Liwan, Rima Khatib, Karim Bekdache, Maria Halios Design, Jum, Nayef Francis, Papercup, The Bakery / Rapidmanufactory, Wondereight, Khaled El Mays, and Rosamaria Concept Store with Nadim Haddad, Niloufar Afnan & Krikor Jabotian.

KHALED EL MAYS

MADAME REVE

KRIKOR JABOTIAN

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ROSY ABOURROUSSE ROSAMAMRIA CONCEPT STORE

MARIA HALIOS

LIWAN

RIMA KHATIB @ LE GRAY JUM

RAPIDMANUFACTORY

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The Gemmayzeh Sursock Day included C By Cynthia, Atelier S/Z, Dehab, Mac Design, Nounzein (Nada Zeineh), Nobrand, Over The Rainbow, Sarah’s Bag, Tasché’s, AIGA Middle East, Damj, Wondereight and Siege Social.

25.6 GEMMAYZEH /SURSOCK DAY

C BY CYNTHIA

DEHAB

OVER THE RAINBOW

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MAC DESIGN

NOUNZEIN (NADA ZEINEH)

SARAH’S BAG AIGA MIDDLE EAST

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ATELIER S/Z

TASCHE EXHIBITION

26.6 ACHRAFIEH DAY

GREEN & GLAM

Achrafieh Day included events from Joanna Dahdah, Blank Space, Green & Glam, Atelier G, Cindy Glass, Najla El Zein, The Rug Company, White Sur White, Henry Dakak Jr., Made For Brands, Maajoun, Panel Discussion By Solidere At Beirut Exhibition Center, & Architettura Sonora Hosted By Vladimir Djurovic Landscape Architecture.

THE RUG COMPANY

MADE FOR BRANDS WHITE SUR WHITE

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HENRY DAKAK JR.

ATELIER G BY GRACE RIHAN

BEIRUT EXHIBITION CENTER CONFERENCE

MAAJOUN

BEIRUT EXHIBITION CENTER CONFERENCE

VLADIMIR DJUROVIC LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE & ARCHITETTURA SONORA

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26.6 BEIRUT 2090: POSTER COMPETITION & FOOD DESIGN TASTING

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On the same day as Achrafieh Day, MENA Design Research Center in collaboration with Platform 39 organized the winners ceremony of the Beirut 2090 Poster Competition as well as the Food Tasting of the food design workshops given by Magali Wehrung.

RANA YAZIGI, MAYA KARANOUH & DOREEN TOUTIKIAN

WINNER: RANA ZAHER

2ND RUNNER UP

1ST RUNNER UP

The Beirut 2090 Poster Competition invited all participants to imagine their city 77 years into the future. The MENA Design Research Center received over 300 applications. Some boasted sarcasm, others were positive and some were strikingly poignant. The winner was Rana Zaher from AUB, the 1st runner up Fouad Mezher & Rabih Ibrahim and the 2nd runner up was Stephanie Richa.

BEIRUT 2090 POSTER COMPETITION WINNER

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Hamra Day’s participants inlude Carwan, LalaQueen, Abi-Hanna Design Space, Nadine Mneimneh, Polypod, Design Road Exhibition, Kashida / A Fish In Sea, Nabil Gholam Architects, Wood&, Altcity and Leloft271.

26.6 HAMRA DAY

PANEL DISCUSSION BY CARWAN

ABI HANNA DESIGN SPACE

LE LOFT 271

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DESMEEM SCREENING AT ALTCITY

POLYPOD

DESIGN ROAD EXHIBITION AT ON/OFF LALA QUEEN

KASHIDA

NADINE MNEIMEH

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NABIL GHOLAM ARCHITECTS

26.6 SAIFI, PORT & DOWNTOWN DAY

Saifi, Port and Downtown day included participants such as Cai Light , Chakib Richani, Espaces Ephemeres Featuring Ronald Abdala, Johnny Farah, Milia M, Nada Debs, Oddfish, Maison Rabih Keyrouz, Randa Tabbah, Starch, Purrl, Creative Space Beirut At Bokja, Sttch, Nada G, Karen Chekerjian, & Randa Khalil Raad

SAIFI

NADA DEBS

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SUZANNE LEE AT NADA DEBS

SCREENING OF SONYIA KIRPALANI’S DOCUMENTARIES

CAI LIGHT AT BALIMA

MILIA M

STARCH

JOHNNY FARAH

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ODDFISH

CREATIVE SPACE BEIRUT AT BOKJA

CREATIVE SPACE BEIRUT AT BOKJA

ESPACES EPHEMERES FEATURING RONALD ABDALA 28 | BDW 2013 REPORT

PORT DISTRICT BOUTIQUES

KAREN CHEKERJIAN

NADA G

RABIH KEYROUZ

RANDA KHALIL RAAD JEWELLERY

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BEIRUT DESIGN WEEK CONFERENCE 2013

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29.6 THE CONFERENCE

The Beirut Design Week Conference 2013 took place in the Lebanese American University featuring 14 talks and panel discussions from professionals and educators around the world.

MICHAEL ANASTASIADES ON A PHILOSOPHY OF COMMITMENT

RUEDI BAUR ON CIVIC DESIGN

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN MASTER STUDENTS FROM PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS WITH JEREMY BEAUDRY

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LAU BEIRUT

GUILLAUME CREDOZ ON 3D PRINTING & ARCHITECTURE

CONRAD-BERCAH WITH AYSSAR ARIDA & IMAD GEMAYEL

BROFESSIONAL REVIEW PANEL

SARAH THELWALL & JASON STEEL

RANY SADER ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

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SUZANNE LEE ON BIODESIGN FUTURES

3D SYSTEMS ON CITY X PROJECT

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THE CRAFT MASTERS TOUR IN BOURJ HAMMOUD

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THE CRAFT MASTERS TOUR IN BOURJ HAMMOUD

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During the week, MENA Design Research Center in collaboration with Angelique Sabounjian of Tasche, organized a tour of Bourj Hammoud (a suburb of Beirut known for its Armenian community and a vast craftsmanship ecosystem). The Craft Masters Tour was an informative journey introducing the most prominent craftsmen and women in the area, whose work ranges from glass and metals to textiles & jewellery.

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29 WORKSHOPS

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BIOCOUTURE BY SUZANNE LEE WORKSHOP ORGANIZED BY MENA DESIGN RESEARCH CENTER IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BRITISH COUNCIL Suzanne lee taught the participants how to make the batch that will eventually grow into the cellulose fibers

Participants learnt how to create patters and dye the material with natural ingredients such as fruits and spices

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FOOD DESIGN BY MAGALI WEHRUNG

What will lebanese food look like in the year 2090?

CHERRY TOMATOES IN ARAK MAGALI WEHRUNG

WORKSHOP ORGANIZED BY MENA DESIGN RESEARCH CENTER

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INTERACTION DESIGN BY RAZAN SADEQ RAZAN SADEQ, A GRADUATE OF THE COPENHAGEN INSTITUTE OF INTERACTION DESIGN, GAVE THIS 2 DAY WORSHOP.

HOW TO CREATE BASIC INTERACTIONS WITH ARDUINO?

WORKSHOP ORGANIZED BY MENA DESIGN RESEARCH CENTER IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DANISH EMBASSY

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A BIG THANKS TO LAMBA LABS AND ALTCITY FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

CITY X PROJECT BY 3D SYSTEMS

BDW KIDS HOW DO KIDS IMAGINE THE PERFECT CITY AND HOW CAN 3D PRINTING HELP IN VISUALIZING THEIR IDEAS?

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FASHION ILLUSTRATION & COMMERCIAL = BORING RIGHT? BY JASON STEEL

JASON STEEL, FASHION DESIGN EDUCATOR GAVE 2 WORKSHOPS AT LAU BEIRUT

WORKSHOP ORGANIZED BY MENA DESIGN RESEARCH CENTER IN COLLABORATION WITH LAU DESIGN DEPT. 44 | BDW 2013 REPORT

DESIGN FOR SOCIAL IMPACT

BY T+HUIS

WORKSHOP ORGANIZED BY MENA DESIGN RESEARCH CENTER

T+HUIS IS A DUTCH DESIGN FOR SOCIAL IMPACT NGO, THAT DEPENDS ON DESIGN THINKING AND DESIGN RESEARCH METHODS. THEY SHARED THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND DESIGN TOOLS WITH THEIR WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS.

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JEWELLERY DESIGN WITH NADA ZEINEH

RECYCLE & DIY BY DESIGN ROAD BEIRUT

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DESIGN IT, BRAND IT, DONATE IT WITH KASHIDA

MORE WORKSHOPS

ARABIC LETTERING WITH MAAJOUN

FLIP FLOP BY CINDY GLASS

BELT MAKING BY JOHNNY FARAH

BDW 2013 REPORT | 47 MMM PLUG-IN & DESIGN PROCESS BY LINDA SELWOOD CHOUEIRY & SIMON MHANNA

SKETCHING FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN BY WALID NASRALA AT WONDEREIGHT

VISUAL ALPHABET BY KARIM ABOU RIZK AT WONDEREIGHT

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DESIGNPRENEUR 2.0

BY MIRADA MADRID AT WONDEREIGHT

MORE WORKSHOPS

THE BROFESSIONAL REVIEW WORKSHOP WAS GIVEN BY A PANDA AND HIS ASSOCIATES IN ORDER TO KEEP THE INFAMOUS BLOG’S WRITER A SECRET.

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COMMUNICATION & PRESS

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CATALOGUE

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WEBSITE, FACEBOOK & TWITTER

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30 SECOND TELEVISION COMMERCIAL ON NATIONAL STATION MTV

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0:09

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0:06

0:11

0:20

POSTERS

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THE BEIRUT DESIGN WEEK RED FLAG BECAME A RECOGNIZED ICON THROUGHOUT THE CITY

EACH EVENT VENUE & PARTICIPANT WAS GIVEN A RED STICKER INDICATING THE ALLOCATED NUMBER AS SEEN ON THE 56 | BDW 2013 REPORT MAP.

MOST PARTICIPANTS DESIGNED THEIR OWN PRINTED AND DIGITAL INVITATIONS FOR THEIR EVENTS DURING BEIRUT DESIGN WEEK 2014, USING THE BDW OFFICIAL LOGO.

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INTERNATIONAL PRESS COVERAGE

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SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS INTERNATIONAL PRESS COVERAGE INCLUDES WALLPAPER, MONOCLE RADIO, LSN, AND A NATIONAL BDW 2013 REPORT | 59 DANISH NEWSPAPER

REGIONAL PRESS COVERAGE

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LOCAL AND REGIONAL PRESS INCLUDE THE SPECIAL DESIGNER’S BAZAR ISSUE OF CURVE MAGAZINE, EXECUTIVE MAGAZINE, CEDAR WINGS OF MEA, AND AGENDA CULTUREL, AND ARAB BDW 2013AD. REPORT | 61

MOST SUCCESSFUL EVENTS & WORKSHOPS OF BEIRUT DESIGN WEEK 2014 62 | BDW 2013 REPORT

SUZANNE LEE’S BIOCOUTURE WORKSHOP NEWCOMERS’ EXHIBITION ROSAMARIA’S VARIOUS EXHIBITIONS VDLA & ARCHITETTURA SONORA EXHIBITION MAGALI WEHRUNG FOOD DESIGN WORKSHOP AIGA MIDDLE EAST LAUNCH PARTY SARAH’S BAG COLLECTION LAUNCH SOLIDERE’S PANEL DISCUSSION ATELIER G’S FASHION SHOW CREATIVE SPACE BEIRUT’S SILENT AUCTION THE CRAFTS MASTERS TOUR NADA ZEINEH’S COLLECTION LAUNCH RAPIDMANUFACTORY’S OPEN STUDIO MADE FOR BRANDS’ OPEN STUDIO DESIGN ROAD’S RECYCLE & DIY WORKSHOP BEIRUT 2090 POSTER COMPETITION BDW 2013 REPORT | 63

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