BEIRUT: Giving directions to anyone in Beirut, especially tourists, is not the easiest of feats. Although most streets are named, it is eccentric to find someone who knows what they are – aside from streets like Bliss, Hamra, the Damascus Road and so on. Usually any directions you give revolve around what you deem to be important landmarks in the area, and you rely on memory to find your own way around Beirut.

This was the inspiration behind “Beirutkon,” the latest design exhibition at the Beirut Art Center. When Anastasia Nysten, Carlo Massoud and Marc Dibeh three years ago participated in a workshop held by a designer from Milan, they were presented with a map of Beirut and asked advice on what to visit and where to go. Within a few minutes they had filled the map with notes according to their own references and pinpointed their favorite spots in the city.

Having all studied industrial design at ALBA, Nysten, Massoud and Dibeh collaborated with illustrator Joelle Achkar to present their show in the BAC’s design space, which is hosting a series of exhibitions promoting products by Lebanese designers.

In “Beirutkon” you are invited to “take ownership of Beirut, your way,” as it is written on the display space. It’s not just a rhetorical invitation either, as you can purchase copies of the products for yourself “that can be customized to reflect the different realities of life in Beirut.” As you read and giggle at the notes left on a blank map of Beirut, displayed next to a bucket of coloring pencils, it is quite tempting to pick up a map and get started on adding some remarks about what makes Beirut memorable and unique for you.

“We wanted to veer away from the traditional souvenirs that you can buy in Lebanon,” said Dibeh, 26, who now has his own design and interiors studio in Beirut. “The products … are meant to be young, trendy and unpretentious.”

“Personalization was important,” said Nysten, 24, who currently works at Karen Chekerdjian Studio and is the editor-in-chief of Le Cercle Magazine. “We wanted people to be able to pass on their own souvenirs to their friends and say, ‘I would like you to have the same journey of Beirut as I did.’”

“Light it your way,” illustrated by Achkar, 27, is a candle holder with a picture of a typical Beirut street that you can color to “light up your little corner of the city … from wherever you are in the world.” Think of it as being back in art class at school.

The artists collaborated with Blatt Chaya to produce “Tile it your way,” where you can mix and match ten traditional Lebanese floor tiles – these tiles are instantly recognizable and always catch your eye in any house that is lucky enough to still have them.

“Tell it your way” is a collection of six cards, also illustrated by Achkar, which can be rearranged to depict street scenes with five common Beiruti stereotypes – the vain Lebanese woman, for instance – that are represented as cartoon animals.

Finally, “Wear it your way” is a long white t-shirt that can be cut along the dotted lines according to whether you want it to be a v-neck or long-sleeved or a hoodie, etc.

These items are all available for purchase, of course, and the purchase price – ranging from $5.00 for the paper map of Beirut to $50.00 for the uncut t-shirt – isn’t cheap.

Nysten, Massoud and Dibeh also display individual pieces that they believe represent an aspect of life in Beirut. They are not, however, part of the collection of souvenirs.

Nysten chose to design three stools “because you can always see chairs, sofas and stools outside on the streets where people sit, talk and play backgammon.” Dibeh presented three coffee tables and Massoud, 27, who was on holiday at the time of print, displayed a collection of 10 model steam shovels. All products are available to purchase upon order.

Press material for “Beirutkon” states, “All products are motivated by our own way of living and created in our neighborhoods.” Indeed, the products would all make for original gifts to friends and family in Beirut as well as abroad. But you would be forgiven for being tempted to keep them for yourself to display in your own room or at home.

“Beirutkon” is at the Beirut Art Center until Oct. 1. For more information, please contact 01-397-018.