About Hajar Design Studio
Story
Rooted in Research, Guided by Respect
At Hajar Design Studio, cultural wisdom meets contemporary design. We create objects that carry stories — beautiful, functional pieces that honor the past while serving modern life.
We are dedicated to uncovering the cultural stories that live within objects. In a world of mass production, people are hungry for meaning, authenticity, and connection to something larger than themselves.
Every project begins with research. We are cultural curators as much as designers, spending months in heritage sites, workshops, and community spaces. We work directly with traditional craftspeople, cultural custodians, and community members to seek authenticity.
Through this approach, we reinterpret tradition while preserving heritage — creating designs that belong to both the past and the present.
Our Mission
Carrying culturally rooted stories into modern life
The UAE is progressing at lightning speed, but it's built on generations of rich traditions and remarkable craftsmanship that deserve to be part of our contemporary story.
Our goal is to bring these traditions to life through a modern lens — making them dynamic, accessible, and meaningful for contemporary living while serving an increasingly sophisticated market of diverse, cosmopolitan, and well-travelled audiences.
Every piece we create carries this mission forward: honoring the past, serving the present, preserving knowledge for the future.
OUR FOUNDER
Meet Hajar Altenaiji
Hajar Altenaiji founded Hajar Design Studio in 2018 with a simple question: what if traditional techniques could speak to today's world?
As an Emirati designer deeply rooted in local culture, she saw the gap between authentic heritage and contemporary design.
Her vision was to create products that tell the authentic story of the UAE. Not as museum pieces, but as functional objects that enhance how we live, work, and connect with our heritage.
Our Studio
From our Abu Dhabi studio, we are perfectly positioned to access both historical archives and contemporary practices. The UAE's rapid evolution provides the perfect backdrop for our work — a nation that honors its heritage while embracing the future.
Our Process
Van Cleef & Arpels Designer Prize 2024
Winner for the iconic Dhow Kite — a piece that demonstrates how traditional Emirati craftsmanship can inform contemporary design without compromising cultural authenticity.
Rolls-Royce "Strive for Perfection" Exhibition
Selected to be featured at the prestigious exhibition and publication marking the 110th anniversary of Rolls-Royce's iconic hood ornament, the Spirit of Ecstasy.
Get in touch
Whether you're discovering Emirati design for the first time, seeking a meaningful corporate gift, or exploring design consultancy that honors cultural authenticity, we'd love to help you find the perfect piece for your story.