Cover Story

E-CREATIVITY FROM HOME

It’s new for everyone but somehow it seems the world is understanding the need of the hour—to stay at home and deliver the best! UAE businesses have also made sure to come out with unique and novel ideas using online platform to keep the momentum going. Here are some companies who’re doing exceptional works with their innovative and engaging online activities

CONSENTINO

Cosentino Middle East, which has announced the launch of Cosentino e-Events – an online events platform, aimed at connecting practitioners in the design industry. Under this initiative, Cosentino Middle East plans to host Lunch n’ Learns, panel discussions, case study presentations, and fun knowledge sharing sessions that will benefit the industry and boost camaraderie. Hosted on Microsoft teams, the sessions will be live and also allow guests to interact with the featured speakers and panellists.

The company is holding regular sessions on key topics where leading experts from the

design industry share their views.

Talking about the initiative, Miriam Llano, Middle East marketing manager said: “In these times of social distancing, we have had to temporarily close our doors and pause all our events that used to hugely benefit the design community. Since then we have been thinking about ways to keep the community connected. The idea behind launching Cosentino e-Events is to bring the events to wherever the designers are – in the comfort of their homes or workplaces. We are committed to our role as a catalyst for innovation, growth and meaningful interactions in the industry.”

Miriam Llano

HAVELOCK ONE

Syed Kashif Akhtar, group managing director at Havelock One Interiors, on how the company is steering through these times of uncertainty. Any unforeseen global challenge tests an organisation’s resilience and readiness. The current COVID-19 outbreak is no different. At Havelock One Interiors, we immediately knew that only a thorough risk assessment and the right infrastructure in place would enable us to mitigate the threat to our people and our business.

The company digitsed its processes and operations a while ago, which pays off now, as everyone needs to be more flexible and agile.

In terms of our action plan, Havelock One formed a COVID-19 task force, a centralised response team, consisting of crucial internal contributors like IT, HR, admin, HSE, finance, internal auditing as well as myself and the group operations director. Together, they looked at all stakeholders, as well as macro and micro economic factors to consider, right now and in the future. The company introduced immediate health and safety campaigns and measures, across our sites, offices and factory. Whether it be testing for temperatures, distributing additional PPE, increased sanitisation at all facilities or allowing for remote work, Havelock One makes sure that their teams and affiliates safe.

Then, Havelock One thought about our external stakeholders: How do we ensure business continuity across all our markets? We looked at our supply chain, suppliers and sub-contractors, and at our clients. How can we support these parties or come up with alternative sourcing strategies to minimise the impact on our current projects and deliverables?

Subsequently, the idea was to adjust our budgets and financial outlook while keeping tight control on our immediate business commitments. The employees have been very

Syed Kashif Akhtar

supportive of Havelock One’s COVID-19 business continuity strategy, and in turn, the company provides continuous guidance and safety measures to help them protect themselves, their co-workers, and families. Cleary, they have introduced rather radical changes to their work set-up, which as a result, leave Havelock One well prepared for the short- and long-term future of our business.

CUNDALL

Richard Stratton

Cundall has launched a global campaign to help the business community to stay connected while working from home to share the knowledge that will be useful and valuable to all. The campaign called #CundallChallenge #OneLessonLearned will entail Cundall’s staff to challenge each other within the company and beyond to share their top one lesson learned and publish it online within 48 hrs.

As the world is looking to adapt to the changing marketplace, Cundall wants to spread the message of support by offering advice on how one can improve yourself in the workplace, whether that is methods for improving communications in meetings, design tips, or achieving career ambitions.

The brand will be promoting the one lessons learned remotely from MENA, UK and Europe, Asia, and Australia. Richard Stratton, managing director MENA & Partner at Cundall, said: “With recent changes in how we operate as a business, it is essential for all of us to stay connected and share with each other to create a strong business community. We are all in this together and by collaborating, we can make this challenging time better for all.”

DUBAI INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND INNOVATION (DIDI)

Even the education institutions are making the best use of the virtual platform. Like Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI) has adopted a digital bootcamp-style format for the extracurricular contest that challenges students to solve real-world problems by merging visual literacy, digital fluency, and strategic proficiency.

Participation in Project Design Space has grown year-on-year with more than 4,500 students from 100 UAE schools taking part. And with schools adopting online learning due to exceptional circumstances, Project Design Space remains in full swing thanks to the adoption of

Mohammad Abdulla

virtual communication and video conferencing.

The switch was praised by Nike, LEGO Middle East, Emirates Nature-WWF, RAKBANK, and Dubai Festival City Mall, who have set diverse design challenges ranging from interior design to digital transformation for competitors from grades 5 to 12.

Mohammad Abdulla, president of DIDI, said: “We are focussed on supporting the UAE’s knowledge economy by developing students with hybrid skills who can thrive in a world where today’s jobs may not exist in the future. Project Design Space plays a vital role in demonstrating to students and parents that design matters more than ever before and switching to a digital bootcamp reflects our commitment to help students unleash their creative innovation.”

Urszula Bieganska, head of marketing at LEGO Middle East and Africa said: “DIDI’s digital bootcamp will ensure every student who invested time after school on Project Design Spaces receives the recognition they deserve, and we are thrilled with this commendable decision. Our strategic collaboration with Project Design Space matters because it is through initiatives like these that we encourage our youth to develop their creativity and put it to use in solving various types of challenges, and this is what The LEGO Group is well known for. We look forward to contributing to continued growth of the UAE’s innovative education design industry.”

Project Design Space’s revised format will see students send a video submission of their prototype to faculty members, who will review each submission digitally. The top 10 teams will receive detailed feedback from DIDI faculty via video.

A virtual open-house session are happening during April and May on a virtual collaboration platform with DIDI faculty for students to tweak their designs ahead of the final.

Faisal Al Hassan

WAREHOUSE421

Warehouse421, the home-grown arts and design centre has launched its virtual experience and online programmes featuring a series of video lessons, podcasts, book readings, community talks, and curatorial tours, enabling audiences to remotely engage with regional narratives in art and design.

The online sessions started in March 2020, Warehouse421 conversations launched its first episode ‘Art and Artists in Times of Disruption’, tackling the current interruptions in the local art ecosystem and the various ways that livelihood in the arts can continue during times of disruption. The podcast is available through Warehouse421 website, YouTube channel, and Spotify, and will soon be accessible through all podcast platforms.

Commenting on taking Warehouse421 online, Faisal Al Hassan, manager of Warehouse421 said: “Learning and artistic experiment is at the heart of Warehouse421’s mission, and we wanted to provide an avenue for the creative community, be they practitioners or audiences, to engage with art and design digitally while they are safe and social-distancing.

“Through this virtual experience, we hope that regional creatives can continue to develop their artistic practices, connect with one another, and engage with art and design in new ways.”

In April 2020, the digital program will continue to engage with members of the Warehouse421 community, sharing their tips on staying well, connected, and productive when socialdistancing. April will give creative practitioners the chance to watch video workshops on patternmaking, sewing, and jewellery making and designing, and the public can watch curatorial overviews of space’s current exhibitions.

On April 1, audiences were able to tune into Munira AlSayegh and Hashel Al Lamki discussing the curatorial themes spanning The Cup and The Saucer, whereas, on April 5, curator Murtaza Vali spoke about The Stonebreakers, the show inspired by the historical and ongoing importance of maritime trade to the development of the port cities of the Arabian Gulf.

Warehouse421’s digital initiative will continue with an April podcast episode featuring Artist Hashel Al Lamki and Curator Munira Al Sayegh, moderated by Sara Bin Safwan, as they hold a Monday Meeting, a cornerstone of their process of developing the centre's current exhibition, The Cup and The Saucer.

IKEA

With the extra hours everyone is spending at home, now could be the right time to revamp your space. Want to add more colourful touches to your living room, get your bedroom more organised or even make more space in your kitchen? IKEA has got you covered with its recently launched online home planning & interior design services.

IKEA consultants will help you create the perfect room setting and choose the right product design that suits your needs and meets your style. The platform offers free digital consultation from IKEA’s experts for kitchen, wardrobe, and storage space planning. Meanwhile, the Interior design services start at AED250 and will let you to have a one-on-one conversation with a professional to help you make your perfect home.

All you need to do is visit the IKEA website or call to book a one-on-one appointment with one of the designers, which you can do from the comfort of your home. IKEA’s priority is always the health and safety of its employees and customers and during this critical time it is taking all necessary health precautions as advised by the World Health Organisation to ensure everyone’s well-being is safeguarded.