JOIN THE GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH ART & DESIGN: DIDI X TERRA CARTA DESIGN LAB 2023 - 2024
In the vanguard of design and sustainability, the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Terra Carta Design Lab aims to lead the world toward a future of sustainable innovation. Founded by His Majesty King Charles III, in his former role as the Prince of Wales, and the visionary Sir Jony Ive, this initiative is a call to the world's brightest young minds to blend artistry and innovation in crafting solutions for a more sustainable future.
Among the world leading design higher education institutions, the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI) was selected as one of the top four design universities globally to participate in this prestigious challenge. This honor places DIDI in an esteemed league with the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad (India), Rhode Island School of Design (USA), and the Royal College of Art (UK). Each institution is recognized for its contributions to the realms of design education and sustainability.
The Terra Carta Design Lab is a quest for innovative and scalable solutions that seamlessly weave together the threads of art, science, design, and engineering. With an emphasis on high-impact, low-cost solutions, the initiative aims to support nature, people, and the planet, confronting the climate crisis with actionable strategies. The challenge transcends traditional boundaries of design thinking, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to address the pressing environmental issues of our time.
In Autumn 2024, the Terra Carta Design Lab will celebrate the selection of two winners from every partner school, each set to receive not just commendation but also enriching opportunities. These victors will be graced with mentorship and funding. The mentorship will go beyond mere market readiness and will nurture these ideas that contribute significantly to the global sustainability dialogue. Past winners have collectively raised £18m in funding, hired new employees and completed a range of pilot programs to bring their climate solutions to the market. As stated by Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, this competition aims to "inspire accelerated action on the world’s sustainability targets" through creativity and design.
This initiative uses multidisciplinary collaboration, to tackle the multifaceted challenges of the climate crisis. It is a platform where the leaders of tomorrow, nurtured by institutions like DIDI, can display their creative prowess and innovative thinking on a global stage. DIDI’s participation, following a series of sustainable design initiatives in line with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, underscores the university's unwavering commitment to nurturing well-rounded creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs. This commitment goes a step beyond education, instilling a sense of responsibility towards sustainable future development and economic growth.
The Design Lab is a powerful symbol of how creative collaboration can be the driving force behind the sustainable transition that our world so urgently needs. It is a harbinger of hope, leading us to a future where design and sustainability are not just interconnected but are fundamentally inseparable, and will help redefine the boundaries of what is possible in the pursuit of a sustainable world.