The Dubai Design and Fashion Council (DDFC) has announced their latest platforms which are aimed at connecting emerging creatives with industry experts and leading design companies: the DDFC Mentorship Programme and the DDFC Internship Programme. In line with DDFC’s mandate to promote talent development and raise the profile of Dubai as a regional and global destination for design and fashion, the initiatives will cater to a growing creative community by actively supporting the development of emerging creatives, while providing businesses with access to a dynamic pool of talent from the region.
The DDFC Mentorship Programme is a career acceleration platform which provides participating designers with the opportunity to leverage the expertise and experience of industry leaders to enable them to grow and develop their businesses. The initial offering includes a range of key disciplines such as Creative, Business Planning and Strategy, Finance, Sales and Marketing, Production, and Innovation. The Programme is structured in five-month cycles, during which designers will be paired with mentors with whom they will work to define objectives and goals based on each designer’s key challenges. To participate, candidates are required to reply to the open call through DDFC’s social media platforms (Instagram: @ddfc_dubai and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ddfcdubai/) and website providing details of their business activities, professional background and current challenges. Candidates will be selected and matched with industry leaders relevant to their area of development on an individual basis.
Dr. Amina Al Rustamani, Chairperson, Dubai Design and Fashion Council, commented on the launch of the programmes: “With a growing pool of talent, an expanding design community in d3 and the recent announcement of the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, the Emirate’s design and creative industries are experiencing impressive growth, offering new opportunities for young people to pursue an education and career in design. Today, we are launching key platforms that will connect emerging creatives with design industry leaders, and companies operating in the field of design and fashion. Harnessing the potential of our new generation, these programmes will equip designers with real-life experiences as they begin their careers. We will continuously assess the impact of our initiatives on the industry, and evaluate and evolve them as needed.”
“As outlined in the Dubai Plan 2021, the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is to make Dubai a model for sustainable economic development underpinned by innovation and creativity. The Dubai Design and Fashion Council is mandated to support this vision by driving the development of a design ecosystem in the Emirate and incubating creative talent. The launch of the DDFC Mentorship and Internship Programmes allows us to propel the industry further, and ensure its sustainable development.” Dr. Amina Al Rustamani added.
In order to meet the region’s growing demand for designers, DDFC is also announcing the DDFC Internship Programme, a platform that will connect up-and-coming talent with leading design companies and fashion houses. The DDFC Internship Programme is aligned with DDFC’s mandate to promote talent development by providing creatives with professional experience, and offering businesses access to professionals with the right skill sets. Designers can also apply for the DDFC Internship Programme through the open call on DDFC’s social media platforms and website.
The MENA Design Education Outlook, a ground-breaking report released by DDFC in collaboration with d3 which analysed the design education landscape across the region, revealed that the design industry is expected to grow at six percent over the next five years, a figure that significantly outpaces global growth. As a result, the region requires at least 30,000 design graduates by 2019, representing the need for a nine-fold increase in young designers to achieve sustainable growth of the design sector in MENA. This urgent need further reinforces the value that the DDFC Mentorship and Internship Programmes will bring to the region’s creative community.
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