As a fellow of the 2024 Material Lab Fellowship Programme, Mariam Almuheiri is continuing a project she began in university: Dardish, a bilingual communication tool designed to support children facing selective mutism or communication challenges. To improve the project’s utility and sustainability, she’s upcycling fabrics and other reusable materials, creating a tactile product that benefits children while protecting the environment.
Mariam Almuheiri
Pre-Program - June 2024:
Mariam began her work by researching selective mutism and communication disorders, drawing insights from medical definitions and academic resources. Following her initial research, Mariam interviewed experts such as Ms. Hind Ahmad, Deputy Head of Al Sondos Center, and speech pathologist Ms. Samira Ashour, who explained how tools aid communication. This foundational knowledge shaped her understanding of the ways Dardish can be enhanced.
July - August 2024:
The designer researched existing children’s communication tools to draw inspiration for her designs. She then sketched a variety of shapes using different mediums and softwares, all the while considering the various sustainable materials and techniques needed to make Dardish a tactile and engaging tool for children.
Next Steps:
Mariam is excited to delve into real-life testing of her designs using the textiles and materials she plans to upcycle. Inspired by local culture, Mariam also wants to explore incorporating regional dialects, bridging language barriers in a playful and educational way.
Mariam’s work reflects the fact that we can always choose to incorporate sustainability in our projects, no matter their type or purpose. The designer not only cares about the usefulness of her tool for children with communication challenges, but also prioritises producing it in an environmentally responsible manner, teaching children a valuable lesson about the importance of sustainable production.
Mariam Almuheiri, a 22-year-old Visual Communication graduate, blends traditional crafting, digital design, and sustainability for impactful outcomes that benefit children and caregivers. She's working with fabrics she upcycles throughout the 2024 Material Lab Fellowship Programme.
