June Dubai Meetup: Culture-First Design and Designing Innovation

We’re heading back to the Secret Garden at LSB in JBR Rixos this June for another night of lightning talks, good vibes, and some of the best design conversations in town.

Join us for two sharp talks from seasoned design leaders, followed by plenty of time to connect, reflect, and network over drinks.

🗓 Event Schedule
📍 Venue: Secret Garden, Lock, Stock & Barrel – JBR Rixos
📅 Date: Thursday, 12 June
🕡 Time: 6:30 PM – Late

• 6:30–7:30 PM – Arrival & Networking
• 7:30–7:50 PM – Talk 1 + Q&A
• 8:00–8:20 PM – Talk 2 + Q&A
• 8:30 PM onward – More networking!

🎙 Talk 1 Culture-First Design: Building Brands That Truly Resonate
Speaker: Joumana Mahmoud, Experience Design Director at frog

Design shapes how users experience a brand, but without cultural relevance, even the best design can fall flat. Joumana explores how a cultural lens uncovers deeper insights, helping brands go beyond generic solutions to create meaningful, locally resonant experiences.

About Joumana:
With over a decade of experience across industries, Joumana blends strategy and craft to design brands, products, and services that connect deeply with local contexts. She currently leads as a Design Director at frog.

🎙 Talk 2 Designing Innovation in a World of Infinite Ideas: From Noise to Impact
Speaker: Damien Lucien Nunes, Senior CX & Innovation Manager, Majid Al Futtaim

Innovation is everywhere, but how do you make it count? Damien will share how to move past surface-level ideas and build innovation ecosystems that create real impact. Learn how to blend open and closed innovation strategies and leverage the right communities to drive purposeful change.

About Damien:
Damien has 10+ years of experience in service design, innovation, and academia. He currently leads CX and innovation efforts for one of the region’s top conglomerates, driving strategy and transformation across industries.

🎟 RSVP Now
Whether you're deep in design, new to innovation, or just curious about creating impact, this event is for you. Expect bold ideas, great conversations, and inspiring people.