Dubai Global Grad Show 2019 Highlights
Projects that speak to sustainability, safety, health, healing and much more
One of the world’s leading exhibitions of graduate design work, the Global Grad Show shows some 150 projects by individuals from all over the world. During this year’s Dubai Design Week, these visionary endeavors are on display at d3, the design district within the capital of the UAE. The show’s new curator, Eleanor Watson (formerly part of the curatorial team at London‘s Design Museum) chose the concept of scale as a starting point. Inspired by the classic short documentary Powers of Ten by Charles and Ray Eames, the sections of the 2019 edition are The Human, The Home, The Community, The City and The Planet.
Pazapa
Pazapa, a board game conceived by Célia Ferrer, is based on the fact that in playgrounds, boys tend to play in the center while the girls are on the edges. This board game allows children to create new games, with new rules and new playing fields, increasing the understanding that space should be equally distributed.
Hark
Almost surreal is Hark, which Antya Waegemann created as an over-the counter rape kit. In the US just 30% of rapes are reported and only 1% lead to a conviction. So Hark is a depressingly useful product, and allows survivors to collect their own initial kit, easily report to a hospital and the police, and receive assistance from a specialized SANE nurse. Discreet and set to be available in pharmacies, Hark helps build evidence and gives the survivor some control back.
Rotomo
Jitendra Sharma’s Rotomo is a tool that transforms a simple bucket into a washing machine. With a DC motor and high torque, it’s highly portable and takes just a few minutes—drastically reducing time spent hand-washing. This project could make a huge difference to people’s lives in many parts of the world, but was made with students in Delhi in mind.
Terracold
Another practical project, Terracold is also a take on an existing appliance: a zero-energy fridge conceived and designed by Anne Bertoncini. The product keeps food cold thanks to the ancient process of evaporative cooling, which works by filling the terracotta bricks with sand and water—keeping the contents within chilled. Again, this is a useful concept that uses no electricity and can be more portable and versatile than traditional versions.
Familie Hempel
Not quite an essential, but a fantastic concept, Marie Radke’s Familie Hempel is a small collection of furniture that’s made for storing worn clothes that aren’t yet ready for the washing machine. Named for the German saying, “Your room looks like family Hempel’s place!” (which is typically said to mean the place is messy), Radke is embracing the chaos and messiness of everyday life.
Making Mistakes
Zi Ning Ng rethinks the children’s book with Making Mistakes—part storybook, educational tool, and interactive game. Readers make decisions throughout the book, with some turning out more positively than others. The goal is not just to teach kids about decision-making, but also (obviously) making mistakes. After all, isn’t that what design—and perhaps life altogether—is about?
Global Grad Show is on now through 16 November at Building 7 in the Dubai Design District.
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