Athath Fellowship Furniture Making for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Makerspace Al Zeina is launching an exciting professional programme for aspiring designers this Autumn. 

©Ammar Kalo 

Makerspace Al Zeina in collaboration with the American University of Sharjah invites all those with an ambition to become a furniture designer to take part in this unique professional programme, taking place in Abu Dhabi this year. Running from October 2021 – February 2022 the Athath Fellowship is a professional 15-week course aimed at training those that already have a keen interest in furniture design but are looking to expand their expertise and to progress their skillset into launching a business model. 

 

The course will be led by Ammar Kalo: Furniture Designer, Architect, Associate Professor at the American University of Sharjah and winner of the silver award at the 2015 Milan Design Week. Kalo will take the students through the history of furniture design, production and prototyping and ultimately a presentation of their final piece. Guest lecturers and speakers will contribute including those with critically acclaimed Design House Fritz Hansen in Denmark. All the practical skill training will be delivered in the studio with the Makerspace team. 

“This program is focused on developing design and fabrications skills while also looking at the business side of things and how to effectively launch a design start-up: which is a gap in the current market.” Ammar Kalo

 

The 15-week course will be broken down into 3 phases and offers those that participate the chance to develop a concept, create a prototype, explore the areas of production and to develop a final business model to launch a new career. This is an intensive and hands-on programme with the majority of the course requiring full in person attendance at Makerspace with a percentage of the theoretical modules being delivered online. 

©Fritz Hansen

Key outcomes:

·       Developing, designing, and fabricating one key piece of furniture with the goal of it being mass produced. 

·       Training in material sourcing and learning new technical skills including digital and manual. 

·       Business and entrepreneurial skills on how to launch and grow a brand and bring the product to market. ·        

·       Becoming a well-rounded designer and entrepreneur with the skill set to move on from the course and start a business in the local area and the confidence in your brand creation and how to pitch it to clients. 

     

For further information visit the website: www.athathfellowship.ae

A Christmas dinner date

The festive period is upon us and 2020 if FINALLY coming to an end: that is reason enough to celebrate and plan a Christmas dinner table that is a treat to behold. Whether you like traditional reds and greens, glitz and glam or a colourful collection of baubles here is a little something to help create the foundations to your dream festive dining setup. 

Top Left: Tribe Dubai Top Right: JYSK Bottom: West Elm 

Take your seat

If you have a small studio or a vast castle (lucky you), just for two or a whole clan you need a table and chairs to dine upon.  Think about the versatility of your dining area, will you be working there when the festivities end? Do you need a crafty area for the kids? 

Benches are great for tucking under and giving you more space while keeping your eye line clear just add in some contrast chairs and you have a stylish place to eat. You may need to have a table that extends to give you that extra room when required, think about how many you need to fit round and if its a concealed leaf or additional ends that add in. What about a table that is durable and won't mark easily - a metal or conrete table top is just the ticket. A round table is sociable and great for a small space. Whatever you choose, you will hopefully enjoy lots of fun times dining with friends and family (obviously when COVID disappears) 

Top Left: Zara Home Right: Bound No.82 Plates: H&M Home

Set the table

This season I am all about natural woods, stoneware and some crisp china adding in some clean lines with the roughness of wood to add contrast to your table. A tartan table cloth, cotton or linen napkins will add softness to your tablescape. I like using plants and flowers in the centre, springs of rosemary tucked into napkins rings, they add aroma. If you want to keep it festive think about mistletoe or holly. 

Top Left: Home Centre Top Right: Ikea Bottom: HKliving @ Urban Nest

Cheers

You need a selection of good looking glassware that matches, a water glass, a wine glass and a hot drink cup. These festive mugs just bring joy and a splash of colour to the table. You could use them to serve your deserts if you so desire. Make sure you have the correct glassware for each drink, water glasses, red wine, white wine, champagne there is a lot to think about. Plan your drinks with your courses and have them ready to roll. You do not have to invest lots of money, nobody is expecting crystal! 

Top: Wood Culture Bottom Left: Home Centre Centre: Carrefour Bottom Right: Pan Emirates

Boozy 

If it's for the booze to be rolled out, to use as a food trolley to trundle out the turkey and trimmings, or just to stack your glasses on and look cute: a drinks trolley is a must. Rattan for the boho vibe, white for a minimalist feel, black mental and wood for an industrial interior and gold to add the glitz. These four fulfil all interiors, and would look great while you play hostess. (even if its just for your immediate family this year) If you only need it to transport food for dinners you can stack stunning books, vases, plants and other trinkets when not in use to make it work for you. 

Meri Meri

Go out with a bang

Crackers are fun, colourful and a great addition to the table. They get everyone chatting, telling jokes (albeit bad ones) and wearing dorky hats. My go to for party crackers, kids decor and all things fun and colourful is Meri Meri. Available directly or from a number of retailers including Ace Hardware and Mumzworld in the UAE. Their crackers and paper napkins are always on the kitsch side adding that festive fun that is required, no more so than in 2020!