Call for Participation
There is an urgent need to protect, preserve, and reimagine the Palestinian cultural legacy through contemporary creative practices. As part of an ongoing doctoral research initiative at the ID+ Research Institute for Design, Media and Culture, University of Porto, in collaboration with the Design and Applied Arts Department at Kadoorie University, Aroub Branch, presents
Threads of Creativity
2nd International Design Challenge & Exhibition
The initiative invites artists, designers and art and design students to engage with traditional Palestinian motifs and integrate them into contemporary design conceptualisation and application. The objective is to sustain the visual and material value of Palestinian iconography and ensure its continued relevance for future generations.
“Threads of Creativity” is an artistic platform celebrating heritage, innovation, and identity through contemporary design. This open call invites graphic designers, visual artists, and university students from Palestine and around the world to explore and reinterpret traditional Palestinian Tatreez (embroidery) motifs within a modern design context.
Theme and Guidelines
Participants are invited to explore traditional Palestinian embroidery motifs through innovative and contemporary approaches that preserve the authenticity of the original symbols while expanding their scope of application.
https://ibb.co/n8YwXMWS
https://ibb.co/j9zw6tPh
The suggested source library for visual references of Palestinian iconography is www.tirazain.com.
Participants may explore any colour palette that enhances their visual concept.
The newly created patterns should demonstrate potential for application in diverse graphic formats, such as branding, packaging, posters, or textiles.
Every designer can submit up to 3 different designs.
The submission email: up202103781@edu.fba.up.pt
The best works will be showcased at the Threads of Creativity exhibition, which will be held online.
Submission Requirements
Final designs should be submitted in both JPEG and PDF formats.
Please include your name and location in the filename: for example, Ahmad Khaled_Palestine
Deadline for submissions: 15 August 2025
We look forward to seeing your creativity weave together the past and the future of Palestinian visual culture.
Belal Herbawi Ph.D. Researcher
Integration of Palestinian Heritage Motifs in Contemporary Graphic Design Practice, PhD in Design,
Supervisors:
Dr. Abhishek Chatterjee, Prof. Heitor Alvelos
Porto University, Porto, Portugal
Recent Research
https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/85914/121.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1343&context=iasdr.
https://ria.ua.pt/bitstream/10773/42691/1/UD24_06.pdf