Dubai can be design capital of the world
dubai — Dubai has its sights focused on design as it takes forward its mission to emerge as design capital of the region and an international hub.
Khaleej Times caught up with William Knight, the new managing director and head of design at Art Dubai Group, which owns and manages Design Days Dubai and Dubai Design Week. The former will unveil its 6th edition this month (March 14-17), while the latter’s third chapter opens in November.
Knight has over 17 years’ experience working on design fairs in London, and he is particularly chuffed with Dubai’s ‘key strategic asset’, location. “Dubai is so accessible for so many global markets, which makes it very attractive as a global hub and for design brands looking for an international platform,” he said. “The Dubai fairs have all to play for, and should look to shape how design fairs are approached the world over.”
Both Design Days Dubai and Dubai Design Week have established themselves as the region’s definitive design fairs. Design Days is now the leading fair in the Middle East and South Asia, dedicated
Dubai is so accessible for so many global markets, which makes it very attractive as a global hub and for design brands looking for an international platform.” William Knight, MD, head of design, Art Dubai Group
to collectible and limited edition furniture and design objects.
In 2015, Dubai-based exhibitor Aljoud Lootah had two items from her debut collection acquired for the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne). And last year, two of UAE-based designer’s Ammar Kalo’s pieces were acquired by Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York. In many ways, it was Design Days success that prompted the launch of Dubai Design Week in 2015.
Knight is excited about the government’s “buy-in” in design. “The commitment to the creative industries as a key economic driver alongside investment in infrastructure — from airports, to the purpose-built design district — will provide the right environment for the city to flourish,” he said.
How does one ‘design’ a design fair?
It takes one full year’s planning, explains Knight. Not easy. “It requires a full range of skills across the organising team — from operations, layout, look-and-feel of the show, the graphic identity to sales and marketing strategies.”
Curation, of course, is the key. “I work on the basis that design show audiences [about 15,000 people are expected to visit Design Days this month] will be very demanding in terms of visitor experience, creative expressions, content and relevance.” For organising, it takes three weeks to put up Design Days Dubai and over 200 people work on the production.
The bottom line, too, has to be kept in mind since a design fair is also a trade show, as Design Days ensures an eclectic global selection of exhibitors and keeps price points diverse (from under US$500 to upwards of US$75,000).
According to Knight, what has contributed significantly towards building Dubai up as a design city are the emergence of artistic hubs such as Alserkal Avenue, and, of course, Dubai Design District (D3). “...the high levels of occupancy within D3 is critical in making the interest in art and design stick. The opening of the Etihad Museum is also going to present a fantastic milestone.”
Probably more of Knight’s influence on design in Dubai will be evident at Dubai Design Week, that takes place in November this year. “It will feature a new ‘Iconic City’ – a key exhibition focusing on the design story of a specific city.”
There will be over 50 participants at Design Days this month, making it the largest edition of the show till date. More than 20 will be from the region; other exhibitors will include those from Brazil, Pakistan, India, Italy and the Netherlands.