At ‘Global Grad Show’, 50 universities from 30 countries exhibit

The Art Dubai Group announces 2016 lineup for its acclaimed Global Grad Show, the largest exhibition of student work from universities across the world ever to take place, 24-29, October, during Design Dubai Week, UAE.

 

Lightbound by EmiliaTapprest, Aalto University (Finlan

Following in the footsteps of famed student inventions, such as the electron microscope from the University of Toronto, the television from the University of Berlin, and Google from Stanford, Global Grad Show will showcase thought-provoking projects capable of transforming our future by the world’s next generation of design innovators.

Now in its second year, Global Grad Show returns with 135 projects from 50 leading universities in 30 countries and six continents, to offer unparalleled insight into the visions of these ground-breaking designers, and a glimpse into our world as it might be tomorrow. 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, helping enhance Dubai’s reputation as a global hub of innovation.

Curated by Brendan McGetrick, Global Grad Show showcases the world’s emerging designers and the products, solutions and inventions that will shape our future. The works are categorized not by school but across universal themes of health, construction, home, work, memory, mobility, and play. From a system of collapsible hydroponic farms that grow food in empty shipping containers, to a touch-based music therapy platform for autistic children, the works that will be exhibited address underserved populations and demonstrate new ways of thinking.

Far-reaching and about more than the aesthetic and construction of the designs, each Global Grad Show project has been selected for it distinct ability to create real possibilities and lasting impact on the world. “With each submission, I asked myself, ‘why does this need to exist?’” McGetrick said of the selection process. “Different localities bring new and exciting solutions based on their particular cultural and material conditions. My goal for the exhibition is to give visitors a glimpse of projects that identify poorly addressed problems, provide new tools, and demonstrate new ways of thinking.”

 Marking a significant milestone and achievement in design education within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, graduate design talent from MENA institutions have been selected to have their work shown alongside globally- recognised leaders such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA), Royal College of Art (UK), and Tsinghua University (Beijing). Rab McClure, Interim Director of MFA Design Studies, VCUQatar said: “Global Grad Show is a unique platform, giving our students a chance to showcase and exchange ideas with students and educators from top programs around the world. It is a true incubator for the best new and exciting work in education. We are especially proud of Nesma Khodier, a recent graduate from our interdisciplinary MFA in Design program, whose Oud/ Kanun project artfully builds on her prior educational background to blend her understanding and respect for traditional Arabic music with a series of carefully crafted digital technologies, to produce a novel device designed to make the complex traditional music more accessible, intuitive, and widely appreciated. Simply stated, Nesma’s project looks forward to preserve the past.”

Paul Thompson, Rector of Royal College of Art, which has supported Global Grad Show from the onset commented: “At the Royal College of Art we believe strongly that collaboration lies at the heart of transformative design, so the Global Grad Show is a great way of working across borders to bring about change and improvement in society. We’re excited by the show’s rapid growth.”

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 hosting such a wealth of rising international talent from 50 universities, 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 and reach their full potential. 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.”