The number of visitors to Dubai Design Week increased by more than 60%

• Khadija Al Bastaki: We are proud to be strategic partners for two major events
• Participation of 500 designers and architects from all over the world
• 300 specialized organizations participated, including 175 for the first time

Organized by TECOM Group in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District, the Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design events concluded with great success in terms of visitor numbers and scope of activities including exhibitions, various creations. activities and rich conversation sessions.

The festival has succeeded in attracting tens of thousands of experts, professionals and enthusiasts to the Emirate of Dubai, achieving a more than 60% increase in visitor numbers over last year’s edition. Design and creative industries in Dubai have seen growth, confirming the emirate’s position as a global destination for design and creativity, strengthening its position in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Dubai Design Week saw the participation of more than 500 creative designers and architects, while “Downtown Design” saw the participation of more than 300 companies specializing in design fields, including more than 175 exhibitors for the first time. Participating brands presented innovative designs, architectural installations and exhibitions as well as workshops, meetings and creative conversations. In line with the United Arab Emirates and the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), participating brands also discussed ways to promote sustainability and design for the future of the creative industries. It will be held in Dubai later this month.

8 million jobs

Dubai’s creative economy has become a key driver of sustainable economic growth, poised to double the creative industries’ contribution to Dubai’s GDP to 5% by 2025. According to a report published by Deloitte, the global creative economy is likely to grow by 40%. % by 2030, and contribute to the creation of more than 8 million new jobs.

By the end of 2022, foreign direct investment into Dubai’s cultural and creative industries will increase to $2 billion, ranking first in the Middle East and North Africa region, supported by Dubai’s creative economy strategy and flexible legislative and regulatory frameworks.

Growing stage

Khadijah Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of TECOM Group – Dubai Design District, said this year’s editions of Dubai Design Week and “Downtown Design” are a testament to Dubai’s growing status as a global creative capital. He said: “We are proud to be strategic partners of these two major events in the creative industry, as they have succeeded in highlighting the work and creativity of designers and talent at regional and global levels. A forum for exchanging visions, expertise and experiences with the aim of shaping the future of the sustainable design industry, it is “Design , enhancing Dubai’s status as a global destination for creativity and the arts”.

Regional Forum for Architecture

Dubai Design District in collaboration with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Gulf Branch organized the fourth edition of the Regional Architecture Forum under the theme “Sustainability – Past, Present and Future” in conjunction with Dubai Design Week. Participating in the forum, which will continue till December 12. In Dubai Design District, there are more than 35 architectural studios, whose roster includes renowned international firms in the field, including “RIBA” members or clients in Dubai Design District. “Foster + Partners”, “Zaha Hadid Architects” and “UN Studio”. , with a group of local and regional studios.

“North Star”

TECOM Group’s in5 Business Incubator, which specializes in supporting and developing entrepreneurs and emerging companies, presented the innovative work “The North Star”, the largest exhibition hall in the region implemented with 3D printing technology, as the artwork was designed. By Nyxo Studios, an emerging company in Babysitter.

“Code”

Displayed in the corridors of the Dubai Design District, “The Code” is an innovative artwork that comes as an initiative of Dubai Internet City, which compliments the leadership and vision of Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. May God save the Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Consisting of stacked glass panels, the work reflects Dubai’s ancient heritage and its future aspirations, as it is produced from His Highness’s poems that appear in the form of text written in symbolic language. Viewed from a certain angle, this cylindrical work is a charming visual reflection of a man with a visionary future and his brilliant leadership, knowing that it will forever be on display in Dubai Internet City.

Affiliate program

Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, the region’s premier design and innovation university, hosted an event to coincide with Dubai Design Week, featuring workshops, exhibitions and a series of design conversations exploring the practical and theoretical applications of innovative design thinking.

Museum of the Future Technology Director Sundar Raman led a session on the evolving needs and possibilities of built environments, while Raffaele Saporetti, Chairman and CEO of the world-renowned Italian interior and furniture design firm Saporetti, spoke about classics and changing expectations. Standard furniture design.

A legacy beyond events

Projects and works selected as a result of Dubai Design Week will be on permanent display in the Dubai Design District. The 2023 “Abwab” exhibition titled “From the Palm” includes the most important works of Emirati architect and designer Abdullah Al Mulla. The work, actually designed within the framework of Dubai Design Week activities, will be transported to the headquarters of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28), where it will be displayed before its return. Original location in Dubai Design District.

A successful project

Other works on display at the Dubai Design District include the winning project of this year’s annual “Civil Works” design competition. “Design Nest”, an artwork designed by Ahmad Al-Khattan, inspired by the famous pigeon towers of the Arabian Peninsula and their traditional significance, was selected by a jury of experts in the field of design. A series of unique spaces that reflect the coexistence between man and nature.

Other works include “The Big Challenge” designed by “Iris Ceramica” group, and “Prismatic Dreamscape” of vertical design cement tiles, “Circles of Trust” designed by Moi Studio, which represents modern and renewable recycled tires, Kapil Bemkar designed “The The largest inflatable artwork titled “Reality Check” and the largest exhibition hall “The North Star” its regional 3D printing project is organized by in5 Commercial Archive.

The success of Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design follows a successful year witnessed by the global creative ecosystem in the Dubai Design District. In October, international jewelery school L’ÉCOLE announced the establishment of its first Middle East headquarters in the Dubai Design District, where it will offer a range of courses, live and online talks, free temporary exhibitions, publications and research projects.

Dubai Design District partnered with the Arab Fashion Council to establish Dubai Fashion Week last year. Building on the tradition of Arab Fashion Week, the latest edition of Arab Fashion Week kicked off with a presentation by international fashion brand Carolina Herrera and its creative director Wes Gordon. The show concluded with supermodel and international icon Naomi Campbell closing the show for Malaysian fashion house Risman Rossini.

Dubai Design District is one of TECOM Group’s flagship business parks, which include 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. .