Curtains down on Dubai Design Week

Dubai - The Global Grad Show is a platform for students from different design universities all over the world. With over 200 projects from 92 universities in 43 countries, the exhibition categorised projects under three different sections: Empowerment, Connection and Sustainability.

The week-long Dubai Design Week, a festival of creativity and innovation, concluded on Saturday but the enthusiasm to create, design, think and innovate sees no end. 
Curtains also drew on the third edition of the Global Grad Show, held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. 
Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, CEO, Dubai Design District, said: "The Global Grad Show is very close to my heart, because I believe that creativity and innovation start with students."
The Global Grad Show is a platform for students from different design universities all over the world. With over 200 projects from 92 universities in 43 countries, the exhibition categorised projects under three different sections: Empowerment, Connection and Sustainability. All the projects aimed to further a variety of causes and address relevant issues that deserve attention. 
This year's winning entry, an innovative line of physiotherapeutic jewellery bagged the Progress Prize and prize money of $10,000.
The Progress Prize awardees Ewa Dulcet and Martyna Swierczynska, students, School of Form, Poland, combined aesthetic appeal with physiotherapy to design MIKO+ - an unconventional alternative to braces, made from gilded pink brass and mineral acrylic composite that aims to treat carpal tunnel syndrome.
"We designed seven pieces of jewellery during a one-year long process. We collaborated with a physiotherapist to understand how women overwork their wrists when they're in front of a computer screen. Wearing a medical device to overcome this indicates a disability and may not look very nice, so we came up with innovative and aesthetic solutions for it," they said. 
Brendan McGetrick, curator of Global Grad Show, said: "At Global Grad Show we've always tried to emphasise on positive social impact. The submissions this year were the strongest we've ever had. For the next year, I'd like more schools and particularly more countries."
Highlights of the Dubai Design Week this year included, Abwab; a mesh-like structure in the heart of Dubai Design District that introduced visitors to unique designs and creations; IKEA's Let's Play For Change exhibition, an attempt to break away from monotony and encourage the right to play, with unique concepts such as a 'Wishing Tree', a 'House of Illusions' (also a fun selfie spot); and a 'Growroom' that urged people to grow plants, vegetables, and herbs; and Swarovski's Prologue; a large-scale outdoor installation that encapsulated the sun, among others.
disha@khaleejtimes.com
 

• UAE
• Dubai