Established Designer

Take the next steps to advance in your career

 

You are a professional with deep knowledge of your discipline and craft, and have more than five years of work experience in your field. Now, you have reached a point where you want to take your career to the next level. Join an inspiring network of creative peers while solidifying your career footprint and making new connections.

 

Membership Fee 1,500 AED/yr

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Eligibility

 

Membership criteria

  • Currently active as a (full-time, part-time, freelance) professional designer in one of the following design segments: Architecture, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Product Design
  • More than 5 years of demonstrated work experience.

 

 

Required application documents

  • Passport copy
  • Portfolio
  • Business/trade license copy (for business owners only)

Benefits

 

Access to the following services: Mentorship Programme • Workshops and Talks•  Legal & Financial Advisory •  Business Incubator • Showcasing opportunities•  Members Directory • networking and social events • Design Resources • Member Privileges

Membership Fee

AED 1,500/yr

Mentorship Programme

 

Matches designers with industry specialists for a 3 month, personalized, one-on-one mentorship programme. The sessions are focused towards tangible career and personal development goals and are aimed at enriching designers’ careers.

Meet the mentors

Workshops and Talks

 

Access to a variety of workshops and training sessions for design sector professionals developed by DDFC and its partners. Workshops and talks will cover a variety of subjects from business, creative skills to debates, panel discussions and market intelligence.

Learn more

Legal Advisory

 

DDFC partners with legal firms to offer members one-on-one Legal Advisory sessions. Designers can get the fundamental legal support they need regarding contracts, intellectual property, legal disputes and copyright laws.

More on Professional Advisory

Financial Advisory

 

  • Access to finance experts
  • Support covering business practice, financial modelling, pricing, profit and loss statements, and managing cash flow.
More on Professional Advisory

Business Incubator

 

  • Access to partner business incubators to promote entrepreneurship and support members setting up their businesses.
  • Facilities include business, legal and financial advisory, subsidized license fees and access to shared and individual offices at accessible rates.
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Showcasing Opportunities

 

Year-round, members will be able to submit their work for the chance to be featured in various platforms such as DDFC events, digital channels, exhibitions and pop-ups through a series of open-calls.

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Members Directory

 

The Members Directory allows members to showcase their professional profiles to promote their work, share their news and network. Visitors may search for members by name and/or discipline. The Designer Directory is Dubai’s main portal to search for talent, recruit and learn about the design sector.

Browse the directory

Networking and Social events

 

Social gatherings offer networking opportunities to connect with fellow creative peers and experts from the design community.

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Design Resources

 

Access to exclusive resources including market intelligence, research studies and business tool kits.

Learn more

Member Privileges

 

Discounted and preferential rates for a variety of goods and services such as materials, equipment, trainings, workshops, support services, wellness, F&B and more.