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7 Nov 2024
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All Dubai kids have three favourite words — Dubai Design Week.
Shivering in excitement? Me too…
This year, Dubai Design Week returns for its 10th edition, celebrating a decade of creative milestones and cultural impact. Held at Dubai Design District (d3) from November 6-10, this year’s festival showcases over 1,000 designers and brands from more than 50 countries, spotlighting Dubai’s emergence as a global design hub.
Design and Innovation as a Trademark
This landmark edition offers a stuffed programme featuring over 40 large-scale installations, 10 exhibitions, more than 60 workshops, and, as always, the acclaimed Downtown Design fair.
Here, top-tier brands like Poltrona Frau, B&B Italia, and debut exhibitors such as The Conran Shop, showcase cutting-edge interiors, lighting, and home décor, while Editions, the region’s first fair for collectible design, offers unique, limited-edition pieces for enthusiasts and collectors alike. Read about our favourite Editions exhibitor here.
Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior VP at d3, describes the festival as a testament to Dubai's influence in the global creative landscape. "This year’s programme shows how Dubai is not only part of the design conversation but actively shaping it,” she notes.
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Mette Degn-Christensen, Director of Downtown Design, shares that the idea behind Editions came from observing a gap in the market. “Years ago, we noticed that people loved visiting the exhibitions but weren’t purchasing,” she says. Editions aims to bridge this gap by offering collectible art and design pieces across a range of price points. “It’s not about creating an ‘affordable art fair’ — it’s about making unique pieces accessible to all, so collecting can feel inviting rather than intimidating.”
Mette describes Editions as catering to a new, culturally curious audience that appreciates quality craftsmanship without the traditional constraints. “We wanted something that doesn’t feel elitist, where visitors can enjoy and take part in the art world without feeling intimidated,” she notes. She emphasises Downtown Design’s approach, which focuses on selecting pieces that reflect contemporary aesthetics and resonate with the market while also supporting artisans.
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Cosentino; The Conran Shop; Brokis
Pablo del Val, Art Dubai’s Artistic Director, reflecting on the impact of Editions at Dubai Design Week, shared that the event is designed to make art collecting approachable. "Since COVID-19, Dubai has shifted culturally," he notes, pointing to the city's developing sophistication and rich cultural programming. “Editions invites people into the contemporary creative world without the pressure of huge budgets, allowing anyone to engage and collect without feeling overwhelmed by the art market’s demands.”
Pablo envisions Editions as an inclusive “candy shop” of art and design, where locals and visitors alike can explore collectible art pieces that don’t come with prohibitive price tags. By diversifying the size and price range of works, the event creates an inviting space that encourages active participation and a relaxed, joyful approach to collecting. “Whether it’s buying a small print or a unique design, the atmosphere at Editions is far more about interaction than formality," he explains.
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Dubai Design Week
Regional Talent at ABWAB and Urban Commissions
Homegrown creativity is on full display in ABWAB, the festival’s dedicated showcase for regional designers. Highlights include Iraqi architect Ola Saad Znad’s reed-crafted installation inspired by traditional mudhifs, and an eco-friendly housing concept made from palm waste by Jordanian-Palestinian designer Dima Al Srouri. This year’s Urban Commissions winner, TukTukDum by Oman’s Altqadum studio, uses Gulf music traditions to craft a unique communal experience through interactive design.
Natasha Carella, Director of Dubai Design Week, reflects on the event’s 10-year journey, noting, “Dubai Design Week is now the longest-running and largest design festival in the region, and this growth is a testament to Dubai’s evolving creative landscape.” She observes how Dubai has shifted from being primarily import-focused to becoming a hub for local designers and institutions that nurture emerging talent. “Today, we see design studios established here, bringing incredible diversity to the scene.”
Natasha emphasises the festival’s inclusive approach. “We’re dedicated to showcasing voices from across the MENA region to dispel monolithic perceptions of the Arab world,” she says, adding that this year’s participants bring depth and nuance to their work, from exploring regional architecture to sustainable materials.
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ABWAB x APresent
Workshops, Talks, and a Marketplace for All
Dubai Design Week’s workshops and masterclasses make design accessible to everyone, with hands-on sessions in areas like sustainable textile practices and 3D printing. The Dubai Design Week Marketplace, happening on the weekend of November 9-10, brings together over 70 regional artisans and local food vendors in a family-friendly, vibrant setting celebrating craftsmanship and heritage.
Through its workshops and exhibitions, Dubai Design Week aims to make design accessible to everyone. “We want people to feel that anyone can be a designer, no matter their background or experience,” Natasha Carella notes. The event’s broad programming, from hands-on workshops for beginners to advanced sessions for professionals, reflects this ethos, making Dubai Design Week a platform for all to explore and contribute to the creative world.
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TukTukDum by Altqadum
Looking Forward by Preserving the World
As it celebrates its first decade, Dubai Design Week continues to expand its reach and impact. Natasha Carella, Director of Dubai Design Week, emphasises the festival’s vision: “We’re here to advance design as a force for good — driving conversations around sustainability, culture, and community impact.”
Dubai Design Week is also committed to social sustainability. “Our partnership with MADE51 and UNHCR offers a platform for refugee artisans to sell their work, giving them a means of livelihood with dignity,” she explains. For Natasha, the goal is to “drive positive impact, not only environmentally but socially, by supporting marginalised communities and local talent.”
For a full schedule of events, visit Dubai Design Week and enjoy the amazing design creatures.
Missing out on the coolest events in Dubai? We know where you’ll be in November: The Crowd Test Festival — the very first Art and Music Festival by The Sandy Times.
The lineup is incredible: Mainline Magic Orchestra from Spain, Eden Burns from New Zealand, and a lot of your favourite DJs like Hani J, Hassan Alwan, Bazzzuk, and more.
Mark your calendar, snag your tickets, and get ready: November 16, 2024, from 5 PM to 3 AM at Monkey Bar, Dubai.
Tickets are available here
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