Designer eyes are focused on the United Arab Emirates’ standout skyline this month as Dubai Design Week 2024 salutes 10 transformative years of design innovation and cultural influence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This landmark edition of the major Middle East design event unfolds from 5 to 10 November in the heart of Dubai Design District (d3) under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

Dubai Design Week has evolved over the past decade into a dynamic platform examining the intersection of creativity, commerce and culture within the rapidly growing design industry of the GCC alliance – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – which is valued today at US$26 billion. Reflecting Dubai’s unique position as a global design hub, it successfully marries local craftsmanship with international innovation.

Attracting 500 designers, brands and creative leaders from more than 40 countries, this year’s festival promises to be an exhilarating showcase of contemporary thinking in design. Leveraging its 10 years of experience, it presents a series of installations, exhibitions and experiential happenings that highlight the evolution of design in the region.

“As we celebrate our 10th edition, we look forward to bringing together designers from around the globe to exchange ideas and demonstrate the positive impact that can be fostered through design,” says Natasha Carella, Director for Dubai Design Week. “Responding to the complexities of a modern world, sustainable practices and the nuances of vernacular architecture across the region and wider global south take centre stage this year, with thought-provoking programming that explores creativity in all its forms and how design can better our common future.”

Downtown Vibes

One of the flagship events is Downtown Design, which returns to d3’s Waterfront Terrace from 6-9 November. As the leading contemporary design fair in the Middle East, it features the latest collections, innovative products and emerging design solutions. Attendees can expect creative pop-ups, engaging installations and networking events alongside a lineup of talks, keynotes and master classes at The Forum. For anyone passionate about interior design, furniture and home accessories, Downtown Design is a must-see.

D3 is part of Dubai business-district developer TECOM Group, whose Senior Vice-President Khadija Al Bastaki underlines the importance of the annual design fest to Dubai and the wider Emirates. “The creative industries are as much fuel to the economic engine as they are architects of identity and culture,” she says.

“Dubai’s focus on nurturing creative communities with dedicated platforms has contributed to a rich, multicultural and native design narrative that represents the emirate’s ambitions, vision and ethos. Dubai Design Week has been instrumental in weaving that narrative over the past decade, providing a powerful platform that promotes talent from d3, the UAE and beyond, influencing the global design dialogue across subjects like diversity, sustainability and belonging.”

Original Editions

In a watershed moment for regional art and design, this year’s event introduces Editions, the region’s first fair dedicated to limited-edition art and design. Running concurrently with Downtown Design, it will host more than 50 galleries, design studios and collectives, offering unique works of contemporary design, photography, ceramics and more. By catering to a diverse audience and price range, Editions invites more art enthusiasts to discover and collect original pieces.

Al Bastaki [or Carella?] adds: “We look forward to welcoming design stakeholders to celebrate the brilliant creations and ingenuity evident across this year’s programme – including the debut of Editions in strategic partnership with d3 – shaping the future and resilience of Dubai’s creative economy.”

Table Talk

Dubai Design Week’s annual Urban Commissions competition, which encourages designers to create innovative community-oriented furniture and installations, took ‘Tawila’ (table in Arabic) as its theme this year. Submissions were evaluated based on their potential impact and creativity by a jury of international design experts – including influential figures such as urbanist Alamira Reem Al Hashimi, landscape architect Robert Shakespeare, and design consultant Cyril Zammit.

The winning design was TukTukDum, a unique table by an Oman-based studio Altqadum designed to stimulate interaction and inspired by the music culture of the Gulf states. Celebrating traditional communal gatherings, it transforms the humble table into a dynamic space of exchange and collaboration, inviting users to participate in the creative process.

Folk Heroes

A Dubai Designer Week stalwart, the Abwab programme – named for the Arabic word for doors – continues its commitment to support designers from the Southwest Asian and North African (Swana) region by commissioning installations that engage with contemporary issues. Since its establishment in 2015, Abwab has helped more than 180 designers explore themes like regional identity and vernacular architecture.

The latter comes to the fore this year as practitioners interpret how community-centric architectural methods using local materials and techniques can suit new environments. Expect a breathtaking array of over 30 installations, including a pavilion made from pre-fabricated earth blocks by Dubai-based studio Bone, and a traditional Japanese teahouse of 3D-printed sawdust constructed by Tokyo-headquartered Mitsubishi Jisho Design.

Inspiration Participation

Dubai Design Week engages audiences beyond mere observation by hosting workshops designed to inspire creativity and elevate skill sets across multiple disciplines. These sessions, led by experts from educational institutions, design collectives and cultural organisations, cater to aspiring creators of all ages and expertise levels.

“With the emirate being a Unesco City of Design, Dubai Culture is dedicated to providing an educational ecosystem that cultivates fresh ideas and the many individuals driving them forward,” says Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the authority’s Arts & Literature Sector.

Additionally, the Dubai Design Week Marketplace, occurring on the weekend of 9-10 November, curates an outdoor retail experience melding local artisans, homegrown businesses and sustainably sourced products. This thriving enterprise embodies the spirit of collaboration and creativity that defines Dubai’s design ethos.

Beyond Aesthetics: Cultural Reflections

At its core, Dubai Design Week serves as a mirror to the UAE’s evolving identity over the past decade. The festival has matured from a local initiative into a significant international design event, driven by its commitment to innovation, community engagement and cultural exchange. In its 10th year, it takes a moment to reflect on what design has meant for the region. As the design landscape continues to evolve, its influence is a testament to the power of creativity in shaping communities.

“Our responsibility towards the cultural and creative industries in the emirate helps us steer the growth of the creative economy and cement Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity and a thriving hub for talent,” says Kharbash.

With esteemed global partners, curated exhibitions from cultural institutions, and an unwavering commitment to local talent, the event encapsulates the rich tapestry of Dubai’s design narrative. From installations invoking ancient technologies to explorations of modern sustainability, Dubai Design Week 2024 will reinforce the notion that design is not just about aesthetics – it is a powerful tool for social change, community building and cultural understanding.

As Dubai Design Week prepares to take the stage for its milestone edition, it promises to deliver an inspiring array of experiences that celebrate a decade of creative growth and industry impact. With an anticipated audience of design enthusiasts, industry professionals and curious onlookers, the festival is primed to further solidify Dubai’s status as a leading global design capital.