Dubai Design Week has consistently grown in prominence and impact over the years, and its upcoming ninth edition promises to be no exception. This annual event, set to take place from 7th to 12th November, is the largest design festival in the region. Here are some of the highlights and changes you can expect in this evolving edition:
Downtown Design: The highly anticipated Downtown Design, the cornerstone of Dubai Design Week, is marking its tenth anniversary with the most extensive showcase to date. This prestigious fair has gained recognition as a hub for contemporary and high-quality design, featuring the latest collections, innovative products, creative concepts, installations, and industry events. For those seeking the latest trends in interior design, furniture, lighting, and home accessories, this event remains the ultimate destination.
ABWAB: The 2023 program reintroduces Abwab, a feature that annually spotlights regional design talent from across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. This year, Emirati architect Abdalla Almulla, founder of MULA design studio, is taking the lead to create an architectural pavilion with a focus on sustainability and materiality. This promises to bring a fresh perspective to the event, emphasizing innovative ideas and approaches.
Urban Commissions: The design competition, Urban Commissions, is making a return, inviting designers and architects to propose innovative outdoor furniture designs in the public domain. The winning design will be unveiled at the festival and has been chosen by an expert panel, ensuring the highest quality and creativity in these commissions.
Installations: One of the defining features of this year’s program will be the more than 20 outdoor installations and projects that will be scattered throughout d3. These installations will explore the convergence of design, science, and technology, with a focus on reimagining traditional materials and fostering sustainable practices. Expect to see cutting-edge projects such as 3-D printed architectural pavilions made from biodegradable materials and eco-cooling walls created from sustainable alternatives.
Exhibitions & Pop-Ups: Dubai Design Week will continue to host a series of exhibitions showcasing the latest in design, featuring both emerging and established designers. The program encompasses a wide range of themes, from visual culture to sustainability, and highlights the creative talents from the region and beyond. It’s a unique opportunity to explore innovative ideas and projects in the world of design.
Talks, Workshops, and Masterclasses: The event offers a diverse lineup of talks, workshops, and masterclasses catering to visitors of all ages. These sessions provide insights and hands-on experiences, bringing together experts from various design-related fields. It’s a chance to learn from professors, facilitators, and craftsmen, making the event an excellent educational platform for design enthusiasts.
Marketplace: For those looking to bring a piece of Dubai Design Week home, The Marketplace (11-12 November) is a curated outdoor shopping experience. It offers visitors a chance to discover unique goods, sustainably sourced products, delicious food, and various activities, making it a must-visit destination for the whole family.
Creative industries are not solely engines of economic growth – they shape societies and identities. By focusing on this intersection, Dubai has forged a formidable platform fueling creative innovation, collaboration, and opportunities. Through Dubai Design Week, we look forward to providing a platform for extraordinary talent hailing from d3 and the UAE, the broader region, and beyond, to exhibit their work and influences globally. This year, as always, talent will embrace our call to ‘Rethink the Regular’ and springboard brilliant ideas, creations, and perspectives that show us where the creative compass points. Dubai Design Week is an integral part of d3’s lively autumn calendar which reflects our vision to secure a sustainable, resilient creative economy.
Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of d3, part of TECOM Group
Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and member of the Dubai Council, in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District, a member of TECOM Group PJSC, and supported by Dubai Culture, Dubai Design Week will host its most diverse program of events and activities, including exhibitions, new commissions, pop-ups, talks, workshops, as well as other innovative design projects and experiences.
A key feature of this year’s program will be large-scale outdoor installations with a focus on how design, science, and technology can converge to reclaim materials from our past and reimagine new forms that foster sustainable practices, with immersive public interventions made from materials such as palm leaves, loofah, sugar, and paper pulp, with 3D printed architecture at the forefront.
The event aims to attract more than 150,000 visitors to d3’s global creative hub, including architects, designers, thought leaders, influencers, and public audiences from the region and around the world, further cementing Dubai’s position as the design and creative capital of the Middle East and a UNESCO City of Design.
Building on the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, this year’s Dubai Design Week has evolved into the most innovative edition of the festival to date. Our program has been developed in partnership with d3 for both the design community and the general public alike. We aim to foster a dialogue around sustainability through engaging and thought-provoking initiatives and focus attention on how different practices can converge to look at sustainability, which we see as pivotal for the future of the design industry.
Natasha Carella, Programming Director for Dubai Design Week
Dubai Design Week has come a long way since its inception in 2015. Today, it stands as a major international design event that showcases innovation, supports local talent, and plays a pivotal role in shaping Dubai’s identity as a thriving center for design and creativity in the Middle East. Its global recognition and reputation continue to grow, making it a prominent platform for designers to showcase their work, connect with industry professionals, and gain exposure not only in the Middle East but on a global scale.
Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group’s business district portfolio, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Science Park, and Dubai Industrial City, plays a significant role in fostering the creative and design industries in the region. With its continued support, Dubai Design Week is poised to evolve and expand further, leaving an indelible mark on the world of design.
