Mark your calendars for a fun-packed weekend of activities for the whole family to enjoy during Dubai Design Week, 28-29 October, as Dubai Design District (d3) bursts with community design initiatives.
Alongside Dubai Design Week’s exhibitions and installations will be a two-day pop-up design and food market courtesy of community-led food and craft initiative Ripe Market, live stage performances and children’s workshops. Explore d3’s walkways and buildings to find something for everyone.
Over 10 of the region’s most popular YouTube creators will be making an appearance on Friday 28 as part of YouTube’s Creators Meet-Up where visitors can get behind the play button and even capture a video with their favourite YouTube Creator. For those wanting to try their hand at design, grab a notebook and pencil and join Urban Sketchers as they spread across d3 to capture a variety of spaces and objects on paper.
For little ones with big imaginations, Vinny dolls will be hosting a hands-on workshop Fables Alive! for children to enter the magical world of doll making. UAE-base textile artist, Vinny, will lead the series of workshops teaching children and families how to stuff, sew and decorate big doll heads, which can then be used as cushions or playful masks. Children can get building with Recipe for a Giant by Valencia’s leading design studioMilimbo. Using a colourful set of large cardboard pieces, children can assemble and interact with their very own made-up creatures.
For the book worms, head to the Dar Al Hikma Pop-up, the UAE’s oldest book store,to peruse a large selection of design books and magazines covering dozens of categories; and, turn stories into design at the Comic Speech Bubble workshop hosted by LConcept, where children 7 and above can create their own wall hook in the shape of a comic speech bubble that tells their own personal story.
Head to Global Grad Show to get inspired by 145 design projects by graduates from 50 leading universities around the world; then take part in the Little Inventors workshop, where children are challenged to create their own fantastic visions while learning about the process of invention.
Journey out of Dubai and into Cairo’s creative scene at Iconic City: Cairo Now! City incomplete to explore an array of design coming out of Cairo’s bustling design scene; and roll around as you rest your feet with the popular Magis Spun chairs installation by Superstudio.
To end the day, be sure to cement in the wonderful memories of Dubai Design Week at Abwab India Pavilion’s memoir bar. Pick a memory, write it down on a piece of paper, shred it into a fine form and watch it being made into a tile. This is the act of encapsulating a memory in an object, or solidifying and preserving an emotion forever, forming a library of preserved memories.
For more information and registration visit Dubai Design Weeks programme