Dubai is set to further establish its status as a cutting-edge, vibrant global design hub with the return of Dubai Design Week this October (24 to 29).

This year’s Design Week will feature more than 100 events taking place in Dubai Design District (d3) over six days, with significantly more visitors and renowned exhibitors expected to attend.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the event is organised by Art Dubai Group in partnership with d3, and sponsored by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Design and Fashion Council and Audi. 

Dubai Design Week aims to support UAE-based multidisciplinary design talent and celebrate the city’s forward-thinking approach to urban enterprise, as well as offering a global stage to ideas and innovations with the potential to improve the lives of people and society around the world.

Last year’s inaugural citywide event attracted design aficionados, designers, architects and thought leaders from more than 150 of the world’s leading studios, agencies, brands and educational institutions to present work, exchange ideas and showcase innovation in design.

A number of programmes will be held during the week. Downtown Design returns for the fourth time as the region’s only quality-driven design trade fair and the commercial centrepiece of Dubai Design Week. The Global Grad Show is a unique exhibition of innovation, inventions and technology with 135 projects from 51 leading global universities.

The Abwab initiative is dedicated to exploring the design narrative of countries in the Menasa (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia) region and will see emerging and established graphic designers, product designers, photographers and architects respond to the theme of ‘The Human Senses’.

The ‘Iconic City: Cairo Now! City Incomplete’ exhibition follows last year’s focus on Beirut and takes inspiration from the Egyptian capital’s host of red brick buildings in varying stages of completion, aiming to gauge the current mood of the city’s creative scene. 

In landmark locations across Dubai, a series of 15 public, site-specific installations by renowned international, regional and local designers will unite and transform the city throughout Dubai Design Week’s six days.

Central to Dubai Design Week is a daily free-to-attend programme of talks and workshops held at d3 which will serve as a rich introduction to the design scene in the UAE, and build on the many events and exhibitions happening throughout the week and beyond.