Emphasising quality, innovation and originality, Downtown Design brings together contemporary yet timeless values in a  unique setting. Through an extensive programme of B2B meetings, networking events, talks and installations, Downtown Design provides an excellent platform for development in the Middle East.

Entry is free for industry professionals, and with an estimated turnout of anything between twenty and fifty thousand visitors, it offers an excellent networking opportunity in the field of design. This annual trade show brings together thought leaders and decision makers on the global design stage, alongside showcases of the latest collections, innovative products, and design solutions from the region and around the world, complemented by an array of creative exhibits and industry events.

As the highlight of Dubai Design week, Downtown Design also provides a wonderful opportunity for undergraduates to network in their chosen field. Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority,  Downtown Design 2022, was host to some exciting exhibitors, such as 1865 La Maison, from the United Arab Emirates, Altek Italia, and ARE Studio from Syria.

The four day showcase is a magnet for design aficionados and professionals across a wide range of industries, from interiors and architecture to retail and hospitality, and so provides a wonderful opportunity for both budding and established designers to create and be  .

Istituto Marangoni Dubai

In September 2022, International Design School Istituto Marangoni inaugurated its new campus in Dubai. A creative melting pot of     Italian heritage, UAE tradition, and international influences, its campus is located inside the Dubai International Financial Centre, and offers a variety of undergraduate and professional courses in Fashion, and the various branches of design. All the courses are taught by the Institute’s team of professionals from Italy.

The school of design at Istituto Marangoni offers an exciting opportunity to fuse Italian expertise with local talent, with a view to shaping the future of the UAE fashion, design, and creative industries. Its strategic partnerships and international outlook make Istituto Marangoni the ideal place to develop your skills and learn from industry experts. With its unique network of international schools, Istituto Marangoni also offers enriching study abroad opportunities for students looking to broaden their horizons in every sense. We offer a wide range of design courses, the information for which can be found below.

Choosing a design course can seem a bit overwhelming, which is why our experts are on hand to help. Please feel free to get in touch with us, and we will be happy to answer any questions and offer our guidance. Here is a brief overview of some of the design courses on offer: 

Undergraduate Product Design Course at Istituto Marangoni

A comprehensive Product Design Course will enable you to combine an understanding of materials and manufacturing processes with your own creative visions by taking charge of the design process. At the product design classes at Istituto Marangoni, Dubai, you will develop analytical and evaluative skills alongside drawing and practical abilities, which will give you the power to solve complex design problems. Product design overlaps with many creative fields including crafts, fashion, art, and interior design. Product designers understand where these areas meet, and learn to use contemporary influences and appropriate methods in their own creative process, designing luxury furniture, bespoke one-off items, or products for industrial design and commercialisation. This link will take you to a more detailed description of the course, and the many career opportunities our Product Design BA can provide. 

Undergraduate Interior Design Course at Istituto Marangoni

Interior design is the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. As undergraduate interior designers at the school of design at Istituto Marangoni, Dubai, you will learn to plan, research, coordinate, and manage such enhancement projects. The three year course will equip you with the necessary skills to interpret space and enhance its very essence using colour, layout, acoustics, lighting, furniture and fabrics. Interior designers plan responding to the ‘identity’ of the given space, as well as taking on-board the demands of physical wellbeing, and performance needs of the space in question. This link will take you to a more detailed description of the course, and the many career opportunities our Interior Design BA can provide.

Undergraduate Visual Design Course at Istituto Marangoni

Visual design focuses on the aesthetics of a site and its related materials by strategically implementing images, colours, fonts, and other elements. A successful visual design does not take away from the content on the page or function. Todays graphic designers work with much more than technical images. The Visual Design Course helps students learn to consider the look and feel of the design; they are encouraged by our expert professors to understand the message they need to communicate and their audience. Studying a visual design degree at Istituto Marangoni will guide up and coming visual designers take on a 360° view of the creative design process. This three year design BA investigates visual design communication by working on innovative ideas in graphic design, and new media for all fields of the creative industries. This link will take you to a more detailed description of the course, and the many career opportunities our Visual Design BA can provide.