Dubai Design Week 2017 edition is back. UAE’s most awaited annual design event starts from November 13 to November 18 at Dubai Design District popularly known as d3. It will allow design fanatics to explore their creative side through more than 200 activities including exhibitions, workshops, installations, conferences and many more engaging events. The best part is that you can explore all these creative events for free.

Here is our top 6 exhibits from the design week that we feel you should not miss at any cost!

Global Grad Show

If you are keen on discovering what the emerging designers across the world are working on and future technologies likely to take the center stage then you should definitely attend the Global Grad Show. It features the works from leading design schools across 91 universities around the world.

Global Grad show organizes each project according to what it does thus making it a largest-ever student gathering. There are different categories for the projects. Empower section for innovative ideas, Connect section which encourages building community and Sustain section for various approaches to generate energy and reduce waste.

Date and Time: 10am – 9.30pm, November 14 – November 17 & 10am – 7pm, November 18

Venue: d3 Waterfront, Dubai Design District

Keynote Speaker – Mauro Porcini

Be a part of a compelling presentation by chief design officer of Pepsico, Mauro Porcini. The expert designer will share the importance of innovative design thinking and its impact and role in business growth. Porcini will explore how designers are working alongside businesses to create an incredible experience for customers apart from building a strong brand for the company.

Date and Time: 5pm – 6pm, November 17

Venue: Dubai Design District (d3), DXBDW Mainstage – Building 4

Abwab

Abwab means “doors” in Arabic. The Abwab Exhibition is the highlight of Dubai Design Week as it showcases regional design talents from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.

The 2017 concept of Abwab has evolved into a single pavilion reaching over 250 designers through a unique peer-selection process – “designer dominos” where each designer is required to nominate another designer in order to get selected.

Date and Time: 10am – 10pm, November 14 – November 17 & 10am – 7pm, November 18

Venue: Dubai Design District (d3), between buildings 4 & 6

Iconic City: Loading…Casa

The Iconic City exhibition this year features Casablanca. You can explore this ever-evolving city through the works of several artists including filmmakers, photographers, sound engineers, collectors and graphic designers. This exhibition is curated by Salma Lahlou, founder of Thinkart, with Omar Mrani as research assistant.

Date and Time: 10am – 10pm, November 14 – November 17 & 10am – 7pm, November 18

Venue: Dubai Design District (d3), Ground Floor, Building 6

Let’s Play For Change

Be prepared to get transported into a world full of delight, wonder and illusions through Let’s play for change – an exhibition by IKEA. Through this exhibition, IKEA intends to encourage kids and adults to engage in a play through its thoughtfully designed elements which shows new creative ways of sustainable living.

Date and Time: 10am – 10pm, November 14 – November 25

Venue: Dubai Design District (d3), Atrium, Building 7

Virtual Reality In Architecture & Interior Design

It is an exhibition by DZ Design, an interior design consultancy operating in Dubai, UAE and Bangalore, India. As a visitor of this exhibition you will be able to experience possibilities of designing, viewing and changing finishes with your hand gestures all with an oculus head gear. You will be able to walk around the whole building or step into a villa, without actually stepping out of DZ Design’s office and the most surprising fact is that it will only take about 10 minutes.

Date and Time: 10am – 2pm, November 16

Venue: Dubai Design District (d3), Office 205B, Building 6

With all these exciting events and many more, don’t forget to mark your calendar for your favorite picks this year.