Saudi Design Festival 2023 positions Riyadh as a design capital

Saudi Design Festival 2023 positions Riyadh as a design capital

- The SDF Launch Weekend and Design Forum featured talks by industry leaders, masterclasses, workshops and engagement by local institutions and universities over three days.

- SDF 2023 introduces a citywide format, with three major Design Destinations— Oud Square, Gallery Design, and The Boulevard Riyadh; alongside activations in over 30 locations across Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

- SDF 2023 also featured the online pilot program of the festival, expanding the educational and professional enrichment reach beyond its locale.

Riyadh: Organised by creative cultural consultancy, &bouqu, Saudi Design Festival (SDF) returned to Riyadh from January 12-23. The second edition marks the expansion of the festival’s offerings, unveiling a brand-new vision and format that celebrates design in its multiple forms, locally and globally.

SDF 2023 was simply the starting point for the festival’s vision to grow in breadth and depth, serving as the launchpad for the festival’s 2-year cycle programming. Basma Bouzo, co-founder/CEO of &bouqu and Saudi Design Festival, shares:

“Since our early days as Saudi Design Week, and now as Saudi Design Festival, our aim has always been to provide a platform to showcase designers and local talent, to amplify their voices, and elevate the design conversations in the region. And as the sector evolves, so does