Downtown Design Dubai see new design trends

Downtown Design is the Middle East’s leading design fair dedicated to high-quality design. 2020 the fair goes digital with the latest collections from 150 leading international and regional design brands. Aritco is one of them.

In a busy schedule of the newly started design fair, we got hold of Pratyush Sarup, Head of Programming at Downtown Design to ask some questions. We are curious about the transformation to a digital fair, design trends and the new element at the fair that spotlighting emerging design thinking caused by the situation worldwide. 

– Our digital fair is a practical solution that offers design professionals as well as design enthusiasts to discover new collections, save product images and information for the moodboards, presentations etc and connect directly with the brands. Our digital fair was developed based on the focus groups we conducted with our network of architects, interior designers and brands.

Pratyush Sarup, describes further that they want to make the event as accessible as possible. Without any login or a barrier to access. As an extra goodie bag for the digital visitors comes a bonus treat.
– The fair is complemented with a virtual talks programme that features international and regional design stars.

– This year we have a new element of the programme, named “The Shape of Things to Come”. From our focus groups it was quite clear that whilst the design industry is happy to adjust to a digital interface they still yearn for a sense of community. Which is why we developed a hybrid programme, supporting the digital fair and talks with a physical programme at Dubai Design District (d3).

Pratyush describes the key for the onsite programme ’The Shape of Things to Come’ as a conceptual exhibition that showcases exploratory work by 27 Middle East-based architecture and interior design firms.
– Architecture and interior design firms have developed new work that conceptualises how we will live, work and play in a post-pandemic landscape. With projects ranging from a house designed for isolation, a new approach to designing places of worship and malls re-imagined as cultural hubs of the future, to exploring how tech can propel design meaningfully and addressing the scope of culture and locality in providing forward-looking solutions, the selected proposals demonstrate the breadth and expertise of the region’s design talent.

– More than fickle trends, I am seeing genuine empathy. Brands want to design and produce with greater concern of the environment and circular design philosophies are guiding their decision-making. They are also championing diversity more than ever, collaborating with a more multicultural group of designers. And I see greater appreciation for contemporary craft in design. We also address these issues in our virtual talks programme!

Aritco is participating in the fair where we brings together the latest in interior mobility tech with a strong emphasis on design. Check out Aritco digital stand with more info.

Downtown Design Dubai is held 9-14 November and is free to join virtually. Get design inspiration, news, trends and virtual talks with design starts.