Experts unsure on Middle East design industry

zoom

Criticism: acclaimed designer Karim Rashid accused the Middle East of living “a kind of artificial life”, and argued for the creation of more good design schools.

Some of the world's most renowned designers flocked to Dubai last week for the first International Design Forum (IDF) - an event aimed at raising awareness on the importance of design among the region's businesses.

Held between May 27 and 29, and organised by Moutamarat, a joint venture between Tatweer and Saudi Research and Publishing Company, the IDF put forward topics such as economies of design, bad planning and infrastructure challenges, designing for the masses, and cities of the future. The event was attended by some of the most high-profile designers and key design figures in the world including Karim Rashid, Peter Zec, Oliviero Toscani, Rodney Fitch, Sheikh Majed Al Sabah, Rem Koolhaas, and Zaha Hadid.

The significance of design for economies in the Arab World was the main topic in one of the forum's sessions. While design contributes US$23bn to the UK economy and makes up 1% of its GDP, the same figures for the Arab world have not been measured until this day.

Whether design can really generate figures for businesses was another focus, as surveys revealed that 90% of fast-growing companies said design was one of the key factors for their growth. In countries where design was recognised, great growth was seen in the economy, said one of the speakers at the session. Khalid Al Malik, CEO of giant UAE developer Tatweer and one of the main speakers at the forum, commented: "What Tatweer has done in the last four to five years has shaped industries and economies. I have to emphasize the importance of design. We have to think of design several times before we do anything here in Dubai."

Al Malik stressed that the end-use must benefit and be satisfied and so design plays a vital role, noting that the success or failure of any product is highly dependant on evaluating design.

"What we do as a company is redesign certain industries; healthcare, real estate, leisure, knowledge. Who are we building those industries for? The region, but we are also inviting people to come here. With Dubai healthcare city we've created the platform for companies to come here. It was so difficult for us to make it a success," he said.

The biggest challenge in building a design economy in the region, according to Malik, is people and culture and how design is perceived in this part of the world. The solution is creating something for this part of the world and bringing in the best people in the industry, not only to give advice and recommendation but to also help create ‘platforms' to solve existing problems related to design in the region.

Another solution, as product, interior, fashion, and furniture designer Karim Rashid, stressed is building a "good design school" in the region.

"There's a lack of really contemporary work here and places for youth culture. It's very conservative and it's a big enough city with many different languages so it's time for very highly-designed and contemporary places here," said Rashid. He added that hiring a few good designers would be a good first step but that the developers and people behind projects should be "open-minded enough". Other issues that need addressing include the lack of boutique hotels in Dubai and pedestrian areas in the city.

"On one hand what's happening here is so interesting but on the other there is much more that could be done with that kind of money in the world. There should be tiny little museums, galleries, boutique hotels, areas for pedestrians, very cool global shops. There's more to life than huge chains, brands, shopping malls, big palaces and office towers. That's a kind of artificial life."

Peter Zec, president of design-giant red dot of Germany, told Arabian Business he believed things were changing and while design at the moment is not as important for the region as it should be, the challenge must be overcome by developing a regional orientation and not copying the west. In relation to architecture he said: "It's very interesting to combine the traditional architecture of this region, for example the wind towers, with new technologies and architecture and by doing this creating a new approach." He added: "It doesn't make sense that all the houses here use air conditions and this is not sustainable. We pollute the whole world and it's not necessary because you have a wonderful system by nature that would work perfectly."

Zec added that several areas of design can be addressed in the region especially with regard to the construction industry. Designers don't have to always design concrete structures but might also make use of other natural materials. Implementing such ideas into the education system will create a new breed of designers that are more knowledgeable.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM