Made for Jordan is a creative design project developed in collaboration with Goethe-Institut, exploring how Jordan’s rich cultural heritage can be transformed into meaningful contemporary souvenirs. Through a hands-on Design Thinking process, participants researched local heritage, explored stories and cultural elements, generated ideas, and developed concepts through continuous prototyping, testing, and feedback.

The project combined heritage, creativity, and digital fabrication, resulting in a collection of prototypes that reinterpret Jordanian identity in a modern and meaningful way while strengthening participants’ skills in research, creative thinking, product development, and making.

| صُنع للأردن هو مشروع إبداعي تم تطويره بالتعاون مع معهد غوته (Goethe-Institut)، بهدف استكشاف كيفية تحويل عناصر من التراث والثقافة الأردنية إلى هدايا تذكارية معاصرة تحمل هوية وقصة من الأردن. اعتمد المشروع على منهجية التفكير التصميمي، بدءاً من البحث وفهم عناصر التراث، مروراً بتوليد الأفكار وتطويرها، وصولاً إلى بناء النماذج الأولية واختبارها وتحسينها بناءً على التغذية الراجعة.

جمع المشروع بين التراث، الإبداع والتصنيع الرقمي، وأثمر عن مجموعة من النماذج التي تعيد تقديم الهوية الأردنية بأسلوب معاصر، مع تطوير مهارات المشاركين في البحث والتفكير الإبداعي وتطوير المنتجات وتحويل الأفكار إلى نماذج ملموسة.

As co-founders of menalab, Nadine and I had the privilege of serving as instructors and facilitators during the transformative Made for Jordan bootcamp. But we weren’t alone—another esteemed instructor joined us on this creative journey. Together, we guided participants from diverse backgrounds, all eager to explore the intersection of design thinking, traditional Jordanian crafts, and modern aesthetics.

Our journey took us from the bustling streets of Amman to the serene landscapes of Petra. Against this backdrop, participants learned to blend age-old craftsmanship with contemporary design principles, creating pieces that resonated with both heritage and innovation. Whether it was weaving intricate patterns, sculpting clay, or experimenting with digital fabrication, each moment was infused with creativity and purpose.

And here’s an important detail: the Made for Jordan bootcamp was made possible through the generous support of the Gutte Institute in Amman, Jordan. Their commitment to fostering creativity and cultural exchange allowed us to bring this program to life.

And here’s an important detail: the Made for Jordan bootcamp was made possible through the generous support of the Gutte Institute in Amman, Jordan. Their commitment to fostering creativity and cultural exchange allowed us to bring this program to life.

As I reflect on the Made for Jordan bootcamp, I’m reminded that creativity knows no boundaries.

Design Thinking Workshop: Shaping Human-Centered Solutions

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