Calling Artists and Innovators to Design Official Products Celebrating UAE's 54th National Day

UAE Opens Design Competition for 54th National Day Celebrations, Emphasizing Local Creative Talent

The UAE Union Day Team has launched a nationwide call for artists, designers, creative companies, and manufacturers to submit designs for official products commemorating the country's 54th National Day on December 2. The initiative, running until October 17, represents a strategic shift toward showcasing homegrown creative talent while building deeper emotional connections to national identity through locally-designed commemorative merchandise.

Creative Industries Take Center Stage in National Celebrations

This design competition marks a significant departure from traditional top-down approaches to national celebrations. By inviting submissions from across all seven emirates, the UAE is positioning its creative sector as a key stakeholder in national storytelling—a move that aligns with global trends toward cultural diplomacy and soft power projection.

Issa Al Subousi, Director of Strategic and Creative Affairs at the Union Day Team, emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative. "This call represents an opportunity for partnership and cooperation, where people meet with a spirit of creativity in harmony that strengthens emotional bonds with our shared national story," he stated.

Beyond Symbolism: Economic Implications for Creative Sectors

The competition offers tangible economic benefits for selected participants, who will see their designs mass-produced and distributed as official Union Day merchandise. This approach mirrors successful creative economy strategies in countries like South Korea and the UK, where government backing of local design talent has created substantial export industries.

For the UAE's burgeoning creative sector, official endorsement could provide crucial market validation and international exposure, particularly as the country positions itself as a regional hub for creative industries alongside its traditional strengths in finance and trade.

Digital-First Approach Reflects Modern Governance

The competition's digital infrastructure—with applications processed through dedicated websites and social media channels—demonstrates the UAE's commitment to streamlined, accessible government services. Even unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to use official visual identity assets for their own celebrations, creating a distributed network of brand ambassadors.

This inclusive approach extends the celebration beyond official channels, potentially generating organic social media engagement that amplifies the national day's reach both domestically and internationally.

Strategic Timing Amid Regional Competition

The initiative comes as Gulf states increasingly compete for cultural influence and creative talent. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has allocated substantial resources to creative industries, while Qatar leverages major sporting events for cultural showcasing. The UAE's emphasis on grassroots creative participation offers a distinct model that could influence regional approaches to cultural policy.

By celebrating the December 2, 1971 union through contemporary creative expression, the UAE is effectively modernizing its national narrative while maintaining historical continuity—a delicate balance that could serve as a template for other nations navigating tradition and modernity.