DUBAI SHOWCASES THE WORLD’S LARGEST GATHERING OF STUDENT INNOVATORS AT GLOBAL GRAD SHOW 2016

• Unprecedented 145 projects from 50 universities take the limelight this year
• Design innovations promoting the good for humanity highlight the show
• Supports Dubai’s vision of becoming an innovation hub

On its second year, the Global Grad Show is opening in Dubai on October 24-29, 2016 attracting an unprecedented number of student innovators exhibiting their unique designs.

The show returns with 145 projects from 50 leading global universities, representing an almost three-fold increase in participation over last year and, for the first time, includes schools from the region. The growing interest in exhibiting one-of-a-kind designs aimed at improving and transforming lives is evident this year in response to the call for ideas with distinct ability to create real possibilities and lasting impact on the world.

One of the highlights of the diverse designs is the focus on humanity.  From a jacket that transforms into a sleeping bag, a system of inhabitable roofscapes designed for the Jerash refugee camp in Jordan to a set of geometric figures for intravenous pole designed to change how child patients relates to medical treatment, students provide creative and practical solutions to modern day issues.

Designed by Gabriella Geagea and Anne-Sophie Geay from the Royal College of Arts, the wearable shelter is a direct response to the Syrian refugee crisis. The jacket with large storage pockets converts into a sleeping bag enough to shelter a parent and child or as a tent that can sleep four adults.

American University of Sharjah’s architecture graduate Dina Samara has designed shelters for extended families at Jerash refugee camp in Jordan with inhabitable roofscapes allowing for shared activities and communal spaces while providing privacy and service spaces.

“We are seeing the future now,” says Brendan McGetrick, Global Grad Show Curator. “This year’s designs could be the solution to some of the pressing problems that the world is facing. The Global Grad Show is providing the platform for graduate students to introduce their brilliant thought-provoking designs to a wider audience. We encourage leaders and decision-makers to take part and see the myriad of possibilities and new ways of thinking to transform lives.”

Introducing new levels of technology and innovation that will shape the future is also a highlight in this year’s Global Grad Show. From Japan, a virtual reality suit was created by designers Yukari Konishi, Nobuhisa Hanamitsu, Benjamin Outram and Kouta Minamizawa from Keio University. The Synesthesia Suit provides a full body sensation wherein a user experiences being immersed in the virtual world, enclosed by variety of texture and sound.

Global Grad Show is held at Dubai Design District (d3) and plays a key role in Dubai’s transformation into an innovation-led economy. Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, COO of d3 commented: “Building on the success of last year’s Global Grad Show, d3 is once again delighted to be welcoming such a wealth of rising international talent from wide-ranging regional schools, here in Dubai. As we witness the growth of the design industry and talent in this region, it is important to have a global outlook so that our regional design students and business partners can seek inspiration from each other. Initiatives such as the Global Grad Show directly underpin d3’s objective of supporting education across the region, whilst inspiring a collaborative approach to creativity and fostering a genuine community spirit for the design sector.”

Global Grad Show is part of the Dubai Design Week happening at Building 6 of Dubai Design District (d3) on 24-29 October 2016. Alongside the exhibition, which is free to attend for the public, the designers of all the projects, along with representatives from each participating university, will meet for what will become the world’s most diverse design education summit.