Dubai Announces New Design University

The new Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI) is located in the d3 design area of Downtown Dubai and will open for students in 2018.

Developed in conjunction with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Parsons School of Design based in New York, DIDI will, according to Ali Jaber- board member of the Dubai Design and Fashion Council, "consider design as an industry, and in the context of business and not only as a standalone creative endeavour."

London based Foster and Partners have designed the unique DIDI campus, creating an 'open-plan' and interactive studio space where various design disciplines can interact and collaborate.

Joel Towers, executive dean at Parsons School of Design told What's On at the university launch event, “design plays a key role in today’s global economy, and it’s exciting to see the burgeoning talent of design students in the Middle East.”

“International collaboration strengthens the future of design and leads to creative and innovative ideas. We are pleased to be working with Dubai to develop DIDI as a way to inspire students and cultivate new approaches to design.”