A file photo of Msheireb Downtown Doha.
Doha: The second edition of the Innovation by Design Summit, along with the expanded Msheireb Awards for Innovation in Design, successfully concluded at Msheireb Downtown Doha on Wednesday, highlighting Qatar’s emergence as a prominent hub for world-class design.
Presented by Msheireb Properties in partnership with Fast Company Middle East and supported by Doha Design District, with Media City Qatar as a strategic partner, the events gathered over 400 design experts, creative professionals, and industry enthusiasts from across the globe to foster essential discussions regarding the future of design.
The extensive one-day programme functioned as an interactive platform for exploring the influence of design on business, technology, and culture. The sessions covered topics such as artificial intelligence, sustainable architecture, immersive media, and cultural exchange, featuring discussions titled “Building the Nervous System of the AI Age,” “Designing for an Uncertain World,” and “When Art Meets Algorithm.” The summit attracted key figures from the regional industry, such as Samar Maakaroun, Partner at Pentagram; Tarek Miknas, CEO of FP7McCann Middle East, North Africa and Turkiye; Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of Marketing at Saudia Airlines; Melanie Fessel, Principal of TerreformX Europe; Homara Choudhary, CEO and Founder of Homara Media; Mohamed Kabbani, Director of Campaigns & Creative Studio at Ooredoo; and Rashid Al-Derham, Co-Founder and CEO of Madad Fintech.
Speaking at the event, Eng. Ali Al Kuwari, CEO of Msheireb Properties, said: “This Summit illustrates how design thinking is essential for developing progressive societies and crafting meaningful solutions. It aligns seamlessly with our vision to position Doha as a global hub for innovative ideas.”
Significant presentations featured “Spaces That Speak: Designer Spotlight,” which explored the intersection of craft, culture, and environment, as well as “The New Language of Creativity: Insights from Cannes,” which analysed how creativity adapts to contemporary challenges.
Panel discussions focused on “Multidimensional Journeys: Designing for Real Human Experience” and “Connecting Worlds: Design as Cultural Exchange.” Eng. Jassim Mohamed Al-Khori, CEO of Media City Qatar, said: “The Innovation by Design Summit 2025 was an extraordinary assembly of creative and business leaders that highlighted how design, technology, and sustainability can foster genuine progress.
As a strategic partner, Media City Qatar is dedicated to supporting initiatives that ignite innovation, aid in economic diversification, and enhance Qatar’s status as a centre for next-generation ideas.”
The evening’s Msheireb Awards for Innovation in Design marked a notable evolution in the programme’s scope, expanding beyond corporate recognition to celebrate individual visionaries shaping the contemporary design landscape.
Ravi Raman, Publisher of Fast Company Middle East, observed: “What we witnessed represents a paradigm shift. The discussions prove that tomorrow’s most successful enterprises will be those guided by design principles. This is where that transformation begins.” Corporate Excellence Categories saw “R/GA” honoured in Technology-Driven Design for AI-powered platforms and immersive AR/VR experiences.
“Landor” claimed Retail and Experiential recognition for the Imperia branding project, whilst “Masdar City” received the Sustainable Design award for renewable energy initiatives and zero-carbon neighbourhoods. “Joe Doucet” was acknowledged in Travel and Hospitality for innovative hotel concepts, and “Across Renovation” earned Architecture and Urban Planning recognition for revitalising historic buildings.
Emerging Designer Categories celebrated regional innovation across three distinct areas. Yasamin Shaikhi from VCUarts Qatar won Product Design & Innovation for “Food Waste Renaissance: From the Table, For the Table,” transforming food by-products into functional lighting that advances circular design principles.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdullah Al-Thani received Art & Design Expression recognition for his multimedia exhibition “Intaj” and creative platform “Intajat,” bridging heritage, art, and cultural storytelling whilst supporting local creative ecosystems. Bachir Mohammed was honoured in Design for Social Impact for “Echo of Lost Innocence” a large-scale installation of 15,000 concrete-bound teddy bears symbolising children lost in Gaza, using art to raise awareness and support humanitarian relief.
The awards were presented by Eng. Al Kuwari and Eng. Al-Khori, highlighting the partnership shaping Qatar as a regional design destination where global expertise meets local creativity.
