Designs of Dar Al-Uloom students attract attention of businesses

Female design students from Dar Al-Uloom University recently showcased several innovative and creative creations that have attracted the attention of businesspeople.
Sixty students displayed their work at the two-day Interior Design Exhibition at the university in Riyadh recently.
Many students have already found commercial buyers in Saudi Arabia. Final year student, Nour Al-Massri, has sold her concept design to Mehbaj Al-Shameya Company.
“I want my ideas to become popular and seen everywhere in the world, so I visited different companies with my projects. Finally Al-Mehbaj Company, a nuts and coffee firm, bought my creative ideas for light fixtures. I am delighted because they have used my ‘Nutty Lights’ design units that I personally developed, in all their shops and branches,” she said.
Al-Massri said there should be more exhibitions held so that students can hone their skills because “there is rich potential in interior design in our country.”
Aya Owaimer, another student, sold her baby crib that doubles as a rocking chair to Ashraf Al-Asoori. Owaimer’s dual function chair was created in mauve with butterfly motifs.
“Being a new mother myself, I was inspired to create a convenient design for new age moms. A personal space where our sophisticated mothers can study and read, while caring for their babies. My design aims to attract a lot of competent women who are taking up this dual responsibility in life and want ease and comfort.”
The maiden exhibition was inaugurated by Nada Al-Nafea, vice rector for the College for Architecture and Digital Design (CADD) at the university. Ayman Al-Musharaf, dean of CADD, also attended the event.
Al-Nafea said the event highlighted the “dedication and hard work” of the students.
With sustainability as a theme, the work included commercial, health care, hospitality, residential, furniture and interior designs.
Joanna Feidi, head of the interior design faculty, said the university wanted to create a platform for students. She said: “This is a promising generation full of potential and commitment to building successful careers, in a role that is becoming more and more acceptable in Saudi Arabia.”
Several students reflected Saudi culture and tradition in their designs, including a Najdi theme. Some had 3-D illuminations, while others used abstract designs for furniture.
Farheen Noor Khan, an instructor in furniture and creative design, said the course would produce many successful professionals.
“It was challenging to produce functional and aesthetically pleasing design pieces that had to meet certain standards and human dimensions, and match structural stability at the same time. Students enjoyed the process and development of their basic ideas into something that was manufactured and became real,” Khan told Arab News.
Subject to the jury’s selection, some students’ projects will be exhibited at the international design show, INDEX, in Dubai in the coming months.
Dar Al-Uloom has over 150 female students enrolled full time in the interior design course.