The upcoming 2017 Dubai Design Week (DXBDW) will showcase over 200 activities staged in locations across the city featuring 150 contemporary design brands from 25 countries.

The third edition of the event takes place from November 13 to 18. Staged in association with Dubai Design District (d3), which acts as the hub venue, the free-to-attend event will attract designers, architects, thought-leaders and creatives drawn to Dubai Design Week through a high-calibre design programme including:

•    Global Grad Show, with twice the number of universities taking part; 200 of the brightest ideas brought to Dubai from 90 universities across 40 countries

•    Abwab, returning with an impressive pavilion designed by Fahed + Architects using recovered bedsprings to create a showcase structure for 45 products by designers from across the region

•    A programme of over 90 events taking place at d3, the hub of Dubai Design Week

•    Original content staged by over 80 businesses, designers and organisations across the city including venues such as Etihad Museum, DIFC and Hamdan Bin Mohammad Heritage Centre

•    Talks programme led by Sir David Adjaye, one of the world’s most influential architects, Mauro Porcini, PepsiCo Chief Design Officer, and Elmar Mock, inventor of the Swatch Watch

Dubai Design Week’s head of Design, William Knight said: “The programme we’re proud to launch today is testament to the talent and commitment that exists within Dubai and interest that has been generated globally through previous editions of Dubai Design Week. The team has been thrilled to work with an incredible range of designers, companies and sponsors to stage an event that is bursting with possibilities for visitors from near and far.”

Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, chief operating officer, d3 said: “This year’s Dubai Design Week programme truly reflects the talent that is located across the region and within d3, with 50 Business Partners staging events. Visitors can enjoy an incredible programme throughout the event with workshops, installations and The Global Grad Show which showcases the works of young designers. Each year, this event is growing in size and reach and it will continue to be an anchor platform for the design community.”

Dubai Design Week 2017 is supported by Meraas, who are responsible for a unique portfolio of urban destinations, such as City Walk, The Beach, Boxpark, Last Exit, The Outlet Village, Kite Beach, Bluewaters, La Mer and Al Seef,  that are designed to make Dubai and the UAE better for people to live, work and visit; and Audi, the long-time supporter of Dubai Design Week, which will this year launch the second Audi Innovation Award - a competition for design research and the highlighting of innovative ideas.

Downtown Design is the commercial heart of Dubai Design Week and the region’s leading design trade show held at the new d3 waterfront event space. In 2016, the show attracted 12,500 visitors; over 80% of whom were trade professionals.

Doubling in size this year with over 150 exhibitors from across 25 countries, the 2017 edition of Downtown Design features 70 new high-end international and regional brands and debuts eight emerging design brands from the UAE region. – TradeArabia News Service