Poised to return for its milestone 10th edition from Nov. 5-10, Dubai Design Week (DDW), the Middle East’s premier design festival promises a grand spectacle. This year, the landmark 10th edition of DDW will focus on designing for a sustainable future. This theme will be integrated across the week’s programme of activities in a range of disciplines, including architecture, product design, and interiors.
Curated in strategic partnership with d3 and bolstered by Dubai Culture, the event will spotlight over 500 designers, both internationally acclaimed and emerging talents. They will grace the platform to present their innovative design philosophies and experiences through immersive installations, thought-provoking exhibitions, and a multitude of experiential mediums.
Commenting on the tenth edition, Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3) says: “Collaborative creativity can design a brighter future for the world. This milestone 10th anniversary of Dubai Design Week will showcase the very best of global design, as is evident in the level of expertise and ingenuity on display as well as the calibre of conversations taking place this year.”
She adds, “Dubai Design Week’s landmark edition will unite the design community to provide an international platform to promote regional creative talent, sustainable design, and innovation, reflecting Dubai Design District’s deep commitment to nurturing an enabling ecosystem for Dubai’s ever-growing creative and design community, in which our strategic partnership with Dubai Design Week is key. This year’s festival will be a dynamic and inspiring experience for all who attend, with a diverse range of exhibitions and events that showcase the power of design to shape the world around us.”
Key programming at Dubai Design Week includes:
Trade Show
At the heart of Dubai Design Week is Downtown Design (Nov. 6-9), the Middle East’s leading fair for contemporary and high-quality design. This year’s fair, taking place at the Waterfront Terrace at d3, will be the most extensive to date, featuring a line-up of leading international speakers, designers, and brands participating for the first time.
Installations
This year’s installation program will feature a series of installations and pavilions open to practitioners from the Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region. The theme will focus on vernacular architecture and its role in informing regenerative design. Notably, in 2023, Dubai Design Week commissioned Emirati architect Abdalla Almulla, whose pavilion ‘Of Palm’ was one of the winners of the Monocle Design Awards.
Urban Commissions
Dubai Design Week’s annual competition invites designers and architects to develop outdoor furniture for public spaces. Titled ‘Tawila,’ this year’s competition will explore the table as a facilitator of exchange, tradition, and communal experiences.
Exhibitions & Activations
Hosted by cultural organizations, educational institutions, and design-driven brands, the exhibitions and activations will showcase various design themes, spotlighting talent while fostering cultural discourse and knowledge-sharing.
Workshops
A program of over 50 workshops and masterclasses designed to inspire and elevate skills across all design disciplines will cater to professionals and aspiring creatives of all ages, interests, and experience levels.
Marketplace
A consciously curated retail experience featuring designers, producers, and homegrown businesses from the region will present a range of products, including homeware, jewelry, fashion, and lifestyle items. Additionally, the marketplace will offer food experiences, children’s activities, and live performances.
Talks
The Forum at Downtown Design will host leading international and regional experts within the design industry to discuss the latest trends and innovations in regional and international design.
For more information about Dubai Design Week 2024, including details on current open calls to participate, visit dubaidesignweek.ae.
