Dubai Culture is running its third Makers\u2019 Month this weekend at Earth Roastery in Al Quoz \u2013 panel discussions, talks, and hands-on workshops “designed to sharpen skills and foster collaboration between manufacturing and the creative industries”. The principles are sound: encourage local manufacturing businesses to see what\u2019s going on the crrative field, encourage creatives to think about using local production facilities if they have one-offs or short runs to make, generally help the creative sector up its act in thinking commercially. And there are incentives to highlight: Khulood Khoory, Director of the Projects & Events Department at Dubai Culture, said the weekend would emphasise “Al Quoz Creative Zone\u2019s unique resources, investment opportunities, and proven models”.<\/p>\n
The workshops range from the basics \u2013 sustainability, craftsmanship, starting up a business \u2013 to more advanced topics like using AI in product design workflows. And some of the presentations are sure to be packed out: Alhaan Ahmed of ARDH on \u2018Designers as Entrepreneurs: Crafting Sustainable and Desirable Solutions for the Future\u2019 looks a good one. \u2018The Art and Business of Ceramics: Craft, Growth, and Community\u2019 with a strong panel is another good subject, the delicate balance beween art, community and commerce.<\/p>\n
The programme \u2013 download the PDF here<\/a> \u2013 also features a guided bus tour organised by Make Works UAE to visit three local factories: a furniture manufacturer, a multipurpose production facility, and a printing house and design studio. The tour offers live demonstrations and real-time exposure to the creatives\u2019 processes, “underlining Al Quoz Creative Zone\u2019s technical expertise and craftsmanship\u201d.<\/p>\n Attendance is free, but you\u2019ll need to pre-register. And no, we don\u2019t know why a weekend event is titled as a month …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"