Taking place across Mexico, this edition explores the relationship between contemporary design and living craft traditions, creating opportunities for collaboration, research, and the development of new work rooted in dialogue and shared learning.
Crafting Design Futures
Under the theme Crafting Design Futures, the residency will examine the relationship between contemporary design and craft through a process of listening, learning, and co-creation. Rather than approaching craft as a static heritage practice, the programme considers it a living body of knowledge shaped by generations of makers, materials, landscapes, and communities.
Working alongside artisan partners across different regions of Mexico, participating designers will engage with local techniques, material cultures, and methods of production while developing new design outcomes informed by shared learning and exchange.
The programme seeks to explore a central question: What can craft teach design?
The Residency Experience
The residency combines research, cultural immersion, practical making, and professional development. Participants will take part in a structured programme that includes:
- Field research and site visits across Mexico
- Engagement with artisan workshops and communities
- Material and process experimentation
- Mentorship from leading designers, curators, and industry professionals
- Educational modules exploring craft, material culture, sustainability, authorship, and design practice
- Collaborative development of new design outcomes
The programme is designed to create lasting relationships between designers and artisans while encouraging new approaches to contemporary design grounded in mutual learning and respect.
Outcomes
The residency will culminate in a series of original design outcomes developed through collaboration between designers and artisans.
Planned outputs include:
- New furniture and product design works
- Material research and prototype studies
- A research publication documenting the residency process
- Public exhibitions and presentations in Mexico and Qatar
- Contributions to Design Doha Biennial 2026
These outcomes will form part of Design Doha's broader commitment to supporting design research, cultural exchange, and creative production across international contexts.
Looking Ahead
The Mexico | Qatar Residency Programme represents the next chapter in Design Doha's growing residency platform, building connections between designers, artisans, institutions, and communities through shared inquiry and experimentation.
Further details, including participating designers, artisan partners, programme activities, and public presentations, will be announced in the coming months.
