Middle Eastern style is characterised by the integration of East and West, with bright, colourful interiors that present  strong contrasts.

Its surface decoration highlights pastel, inlays stained glass tile, decorates doors and windows with ornate carvings. Carved panels are commonly used for fences, and gypsum relief is a popular decoration. The stalactite body of brick technology is one of the most distinctive aspects of Middle Eastern style, and coloured glass mosaics are often used as partitions.

Over the last couple of years, there have been many changes to the world of design, in fact to the world in general, and the assessment criteria used to rank powerhouses in the design industry have also changed. Rather than make a list, we have chosen to highlight a selection of influential interior designers in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. These leading creatives might provide some inspiration as you evaluate your career path in interior design. 

Pallavi Dean of Roar

Ranked top of the most influential interior designers for 2020, Founder and creative director of Roar, Pallavi Dean is a true powerhouse in the interior design industry. She used the opportunity during the COVID-19 pandemic to produce three whitepapers for the industry on design post COVID across commercial, F&B and education sectors, which gained a lot of international traction. Her team completed 20 build projects, which include SensAsia spa, Mezza House, and Takeda. She also collaborated on a rug with the Fatima bint Mohammed bin Zayed Initiative, and won awards in the process. Dean is proud to be an SME owner, and is proud of her contribution to the local economy.  

Belhasa Interiors

Established in October 2001, Belhasa Interiors is a leading, sustainability-principled, and versatile interior design studio based in Dubai. Part of one of the largest and most diversified holding groups in the region, Belhasa Interiors has leveraged its vast in-house resources to lead the design and execution of over 50 high-profile residential, commercial and governmental clients and over 200 projects region-wide such as The Chocolate Bar in Mercato Mall, Studio 8 at Dubai Mall Fashion Avenue, Moneykicks headquarters and booths at SoleDXB, the Ministry of Justice Innovation Center and Ras Al Khaimah Police Station.

Cherwell 

Bespoke design products and furnishings are what make an interior design project unique. This is what Cherwell, a highly-active company in the design district of Dubai, does best. Its design team specialises in designing a wide variety of spaces and creating custom-made furnishings for residential contexts. Cherwell makes bespoke furniture for every room of the home or office, but they are renowned for their beautiful kitchens, dressing rooms and specialist joinery.

Pallavi Dean is one of the UAE’s most promising interior designers. As an Associate with Godwin Austen Johnson in Dubai, she’s has worked on a range of high-profile commercial and hospitality projects across the region. Her work was recognised in 2010, when she won the CID Middle East Young Interior Designer of the Year Award. Pallavi is an active member of the UAE design community, writing for industry publications, organising events and mentoring students.

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 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.

Short Course in Interior Design at Istituto Marangoni

Short courses are the perfect opportunity to get a taste for our design programmes, which can be most helpful when you are considering taking on a more intensive course. The short, three week course in Interior Design will guide participants through the latest trends in contemporary interior design. Guided by experts in the industry, participants will learn to discover and define their style, and hone their aesthetic skills. They will also learn to interpret the world of interiors by way of a vocational, hands on approach to learning. This link will take you to a more detailed description of the course, and the many career opportunities our Short Interior Design Course can provide.

For any questions about these or other courses on offer at Istituto Marangoni, Dubai, please feel free to contact us. There are many ways to get in touch. You can write an email, book an orientation, or chat to us via WhatsApp. These features can be found at the bottom right of the course information page.