Design Ras Al Khor

Monsters in Wood – DRAK16: Design Ras Al Khor

As a contributor to DRAK16: Design Ras Al Khor (Issue 02, October 2016), I conducted research and authored insights on the interplay between nature, materiality, and design aesthetics in the UAE. My contribution, "Monsters in Wood,"explored the cultural symbolism of beetles, their role in wood craftsmanship, and how they have historically influenced jewelry and artistic motifs.

Drawing from cultural narratives and ecological insights, my research examined how beetles—often seen as destructive forces in nature—have paradoxically been revered in historical adornment, craftsmanship, and contemporary jewelry design. This essay linked biology, heritage, and visual storytelling, offering a fresh perspective on how the natural world shapes artistic and material culture.

Through this work, I reinforced my expertise in cultural storytelling, research-driven design analysis, and heritage-inspired creativity, contributing to an ongoing discourse on the intersection of nature, craft, and contemporary aesthetics in the UAE.