Design Commission Abu Dhabi and Emirates Post invite UAE-wide entries for Eid Al Etihad 55 stamp
Design Commission Abu Dhabi, chaired by H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, and Emirates Post have launched a nationwide open call for designs for the official Eid Al Etihad 55 commemorative postage stamp.
Nationwide open call to mark the UAE at 55
Design Commission Abu Dhabi (DCAD), under the chairwomanship of H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, has opened a nationwide competition in partnership with Emirates Post to select the official Eid Al Etihad 55 commemorative postage stamp. The initiative invites UAE Nationals and residents—including professional designers, visual artists, illustrators, graphic designers, university students and emerging creatives—to submit work that captures the nation’s identity and aspirations.
Established in 2025, DCAD’s mandate to advance Abu Dhabi-owned intellectual property and foster sustainable creative industries is extended through this national platform. Under the narrative Be Part of History, the commission aims to place creative participation at the heart of a milestone national moment, enabling the UAE’s creative community to help define how the country’s story is visually documented for future generations.
Entrants are encouraged to explore themes such as people, culture, innovation, heritage, architecture, nature and technology, and to interpret these subjects within the technical and brand guidelines provided by Emirates Post. Each applicant may submit one entry comprising between three and six designs that adhere to a single consistent theme. Submissions must include the story or concept behind the proposal.
Participation is governed by the competition’s terms and conditions, including eligibility, submission, intellectual property and data protection requirements. Emirates Post will retain the right to approve and, if necessary, make technical or other modifications to the winning design to satisfy postal, production and branding standards, in line with the competition rules. Intellectual property provisions governing the winning design will be applied in accordance with the stated terms.
Applications are open until 7 October 2026. A joint committee of DCAD and Emirates Post board representatives will evaluate entries in October, selecting three finalists. The winning design will be announced on 3 November 2026. Subject to Emirates Post’s final approval and applicable technical requirements, the chosen design will be developed and issued as the official Eid Al Etihad 55 commemorative stamp. Cash prizes are set at AED10,000 for first place, AED7,000 for second and AED3,000 for third.
For applicants and those seeking guidance on submission requirements, DCAD and Emirates Post have published full terms and technical specifications online. The open call seeks to create a lasting cultural symbol that reflects the UAE’s progress while celebrating the role of its creative community in shaping national memory.
Source: WAM