Responding to the challenges caused by the ongoing pandemic and the repercussions on the local creative sector, Dubai Design Week turns focus on the home-grown design scene and UAE based designers.

Aspiring designers are called to submit design proposals to be showcased in a curated exhibition, presenting the works of an emerging generation of talents with promising ideas. This call for participation spans across different design disciplines to recognize diverse talent. The shortlisted designers will get to exhibit their work in a curated and designed exhibition in one of the spotlight spaces of d3.

This exhibition will be a key part of the 2020 programme, offering designers a platform to enhance and help kickstart their projects whilst expanding and strengthening their audience base and professional network.

Guidelines and Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Reside and operate in the UAE
  • Present design proposals that haven’t been exhibited before
  • Their proposals must contribute to the local supply chain


Proposals should adhere to the following themes:

  • Locally made; supporting local producers and sourcing materials produced in the UAE
  • Designing responsibly; considering environmental and social impact
  • Innovating; proposing design concepts that disrupt traditional solutions
  • Contextuality; containing cultural references of historical or contemporary narratives


Submissions must include:

  • Submissions must include a minimum of one and maximum of five digital files showing the proposed concept – (physical models, renderings, architectural drawings and/or sketches are encouraged).
  • A preferred layout on how the project will be exhibited
  • A description text of 300 hundred words describing the concept of the design
  • Professional biography (max 300 words)


*All images must be high quality and a maximum of 1MB. Please follow submission form guidelines.

Submissions are now closed. For any further information please contact [email protected]