"We focus on crafts, folk stories, tangible and intangible heritage to help us in our design-focused storytelling journey," explains the acclaimed Emirati designer Aljoud Lootah. At 39, she has fast emerged as a leading voice of the UAE's burgeoning design scene, with a body of work that is as original and vibrant as it is authentic to her Gulf roots. Whether she is working on product design, furniture pieces or large-scale installations, her love of patterns, folds and geometric shapes is nearly always notable.
For her successful 'Oru' series of chairs, cabinets and lamps, origami forms were the main inspiration; two products from the series were acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. For the 'Mudeem' collection of handcrafted boxes, which pay homage to the wooden chests traditionally used by Emiratis to store valuables, Lootah combines an intrecciato weave of camel leather with patterned studs that recall those vintage mandoos.
Of all her creations, her favourite is the 'Takya' stool. "It started out as a quick sketch that I did while I was working on another completely unrelated project, but its design really touched my heart," she reveals. "It was inspired by a childhood memory of playing with takyas, large cushions that were commonly used in the past as part of the traditional low-seating majlis. We would love to stack them one over the other and create forts and houses, which we would play inside. My stool is a modern interpretation of that memory."
With every project, the first question is typically what would be the most suitable material, a decision usually based on the complexity of the design, the story behind it and its detailing. "Some materials are capable of elevating the design when they are well considered. We worked with porcelain, crystal, glass, wood, marble, metals and paper, among others," she says. She always sources her materials with sustainability in mind, prioritising those that are recycled or can be given a second chance. In her studio, waste is systematically reduced by re-using anything that remains, so off-cuts from camel leather used on a large-scale project might later appear in a small-scale product or be combined with another material entirely.
Since launching her own brand, Lootah has also delved into interior projects for high-profile clients including the Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, the UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs and Etihad Airways. "We have been very fortunate and we're extremely blessed to be able to work with clients that trust us and provide us with opportunities and the freedom to create," she says, before quickly crediting her tight-knit team at her studio in Dubai Design District. "My team of women plus one man is amazing!"
Her route to this point has not been straight. She had planned to study art at university but ended up with an honours degree in graphic design, freelancing for a few years on branding and graphic projects. Her lucky break came in 2012, when she enrolled in a product design programme offered through Dubai Culture in collaboration with Tashkeel, a contemporary art and design organisation that supports Dubai-based artisans. The six-month course allowed her to attend workshops, visit studios in Barcelona and take in the London Design Festival. "This experience was an eye-opener, as it gave me a change of heart and made me realise that I would like to focus on product design as a career. I established my brand in 2014 and showcased my first collection in 2015. I haven't stopped since!"
Today, with a wave of new design talent emerging from the Gulf, Lootah is enthusiastic and credits her country's leadership and the organisations paving the way for emerging talents, naming Dubai Design District, Dubai Design Week, the Ministry of Culture and Youth, the Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Foundation, Dubai Culture and Tashkeel. Having wrapped up projects over Ramadan, she is now planning her participation in the next Dubai Design Week in November.
However busy she gets, the designer still counts her blessings and cherishes the excitement of each milestone reached. She hopes to see more youngsters take the design route, and offers some words of encouragement. "My advice is be passionate about what you do. We often face challenges in our line of work that may make us feel like giving up, but don't. When you're passionate about what you do, whatever obstacle you face, you will be able to overcome it with a great mindset."
