Dubai Design Week returns for its 2019 edition this month serving as a regional hub for creative forces.
The main exhibition venue Downtown Design is located in Dubai Design District and sees design-based companies from all across the world travelling to Dubai to showcase their latest innovations and projects. The six-day event also includes the Global Grad Show which brings together projects from 100 universities from around the world, and Abwab; the curated interactive project containing original designs from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.
Held under the patronage of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, this year’s Downtown Design will see more exhibitors than ever with 100 new brands championing the growth of the region’s design industry and concreting its place on the global scale. For the first time, visitors will be able to engage with a multi-faceted expression of contemporary design as three leading practices will present never-seen-before concepts specially commissioned for the fair. Downtown Editions will also return as a dedicated section for limited edition and bespoke design, celebrating the next generation of talent.
Installations will feature throughout, highlighting creativity from around the world: Preciosa will present their large-scale interactive installation Carousel of Light, technology artist Anthony James will bring his dynamic glass and LED sculpture Icosahedron and global architecture practice LWK+ Partners will present an interactive space that reflects both the heritage and modernity of the studio’s home base in China.
Downtown Design’s Trade Programme continues to address the needs of the competitive design industry, helping members to raise their profile and forge industry relationships. Featuring a series of networking events and privileges, put in place to help design professionals make the most of the fair’s platform, it facilitates opportunities for architects and interior designers to connect with peers, brands and industry influencers.
The Forum at Downtown Design will present a number of talks over the six days which will see design professionals sharing their knowledge and insights into brand building, the current market trends and the future of the industry. There will be unique opportunities for design professionals to network, as well as raise their profile in the region. Themes will range from how to build a business in design to managing clients in design firms and design marketing.
The Global Grad Show will also return, showcasing 150 graduate projects from over 100 universities across the world. Visitors are invited to interact with the graduates and discover the projects and innovative ideas, giving a glimpse into the next generation of the industry. This year’s programme will include a conference about social impact education and an initiative supporting graduates to develop social startups.
This year will also see the return of Abwab – the exhibition created to focus on design talent in the region. In this year’s edition designers are challenged to recreate the local classrooms of their cultures – with designers coming from India, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and more. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit each pavilion and interact within the space.
Dubai Design Week will run from 11-16 November 2019.
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