MAKE Launches 5th Athath Fellowship To Shape The Future Of Furniture Design
MAKE, in collaboration with the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and with the support of the Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation announces the launch of the 5th cohort of the Athath Fellowship 2025
MAKE is launching their 5th cohort of the Athath Fellowship 2025, in partnership with Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, and with the support of Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, inviting all next-gen aspiring furniture entrepreneurs to reimagine the world of furniture design, taking place from 5th July to 11th October 2025.
Hosted by MAKE at the MAKE’s facility in Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, the program is structured in three distinct phases and will combine two interconnected modules- furniture design and prototyping module and commercial strategy module. The 15-week program is designed to promote the creation of commercially viable prototypes at full scale and provide foundational knowledge to develop preliminary commercial plans. The 5th edition of this fellowship brings together a new generation of talents committed to shaping the regional dialogue on aesthetics, functionality, and innovation in modern furniture design.
This edition opens its applications on 16th May 2025, welcoming those who view furniture as functional design. Selected applicants will be invited to interviews in June 2025. Inclusive of three distinct phases, every phase is dedicated to unravelling unique skills and visionary ideas. The first phase will include ideation and concept development, revolving around design thinking, user analysis and market trends. Following this, the second phase will engage the participants in design development and prototyping. This iterative process will focus on models and test designs, which will offer a hands-on approach to furniture design. The final stage will pivot on prototype fabrication, engaging the participants to create their own prototype while learning the design process.
Additionally, this fellowship program will comprise primary and complementary modules. The “Design and Prototyping” module will discuss furniture and commercial designs, delivered by Thomas Trad, a UAE-based product designer fascinated with manufacturing processes, craftsmanship, and the natural beauty of materials, highlighting design thinking, fabrication techniques and detailing. The “Commercial Strategy” module will address value proposition development, material sourcing strategies, cost and pricing analysis, and marketing approaches. Complementing these, a series of seminars will be delivered by prominent speakers from academia, the design industry, and key support services, offering insights into the legal and commercial frameworks relevant to design practice.
At the culmination of the cohort, participants will present their completed prototypes at Downtown Design during Dubai Design Week in November 2025. This showcase will celebrate their creative achievements and offer invaluable exposure, connecting emerging designers directly with decision-makers, private clients and the community of interiors, architecture, and product innovation.
The program, rooted in cultural relevance, functional design, and commercial appeal, focuses on creating furniture pieces that are market-ready and meaningful. It welcomes all participants with the skills and mindset to become entrepreneurs in the world of furniture design, providing a launchpad for their careers in furniture making and design innovation. Let us build a future where design enhances our lives, where each piece of furniture becomes a living example of creativity and practicality.
