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In our continually evolving world, trends are harder to grasp - they seem to be continually morphing, influenced by environmental change, unforeseen events and the rapid pace of innovation. This perpetual movement creates an opportunity; to create design that is fluid and multidimensional, creating hybrids and instigating organic growth - a sentiment that gives rise to the trends for the coming year, 2016.

Architonic recently announced its top 200 brands list for 2015, a selection of the world’s leading best-in-class design brands.

As the only platform in the Middle East for the region’s trade professionals to discover original, high quality design from all over the world, Downtown Design’s fourth edition was a huge success. There was a 30% increase in visitor numbers on 2014 and 100% of the top regional design firms, including GAJ, LW Design, H&H Studio, Aecom, Woods Bagot and RMJM, were in attendance. As we look ahead to the next edition in 2016, we are encouraged by the government's recent efforts to create a widespread culture of innovation and strengthen the UAE's position as a global hub of creation.

Pre-registrations increased by 25%, and visitor numbers exceeded expectation, with current estimated figures above 10,000 over the four days. Positive feedback from industry, buyers and brands, has led to a surge in demand for space in the 2016 edition, promising a larger and even richer presentation for the highly anticipated fourth edition.

Famous for her works that span across different mediums; Maitha has exhibited her masterpieces across the world, from the Brisbane Biennial to Shanghai Expo 2010.

These 5 exhibitors are the epitome of innovation when it comes to creating statement seating for the home or office:

From new lighting concepts that move like jelly-fish to game tables that ‘float’, this year’s show is ready to push the boundaries of design and innovation.

Fusing east and west, furniture designer Nada Debs has become one of the most famous designers from the Middle East. She gives us her top 5 from Downtown Design.

One of the first established businesses of Al Tayer Group’s portfolio, Aati specialises in interior design, interior consultation and premium and contemporary designer furniture and accessories.

Employing natural materials in neutral tones, the furniture is entirely hand-crafted; aesthetic but entirely practical. Gaining recognition internationally, Latvian design  is seeking to make an impact in the emirates with a distinct show for Downtown Design 2015.

Christian Lacroix Maison's Creative Director Sacha Walckhoff, who will be sharing the story behind his latest collaboration with Verreum at the Downtown Design Auditorium, presents his five favourite pieces from this year's show:

Villevenete’s Tortuga

Last month, we shared a list of exhibitors bringing exclusive pieces to this year’s Fair, and as we countdown the days to the show, we bring you a continued list of exhibitors that are unveiling their latest designs at Downtown Design 2015:

Design-dedicated events, activities and projects within d3 and across the city will celebrate the best in design both regionally and internationally. Here’s our list of 10 things you can’t afford to miss at Dubai Design Week:

From drawers and doors to taps and counter tops – these five exhibitors offer the best solutions to help you organize, redesign and showcase a state of the art kitchen:

We collate the year’s leading trends courtesy of our 2015 exhibitors:

This year, Kartell, a trendsetter in the world of international contemporary design, is exhibiting a collection that reflects its eclectic vision of interior décor.

Downtown Design exhibitor, Arclinea was founded in 1925 as a laboratory specialising in wood working. They shifted their focus to manufacturing kitchen furniture after 1960, showcasing designs that were considered way ahead of their time.

With Italy's first official participation in Downtown Design as the Italian Luxury Interiors Pavilion, we pay tribute to the brands that add that quintessential Italian sophistication to this year’s show:

In November 2013, the United Arab Emirates won the right to host the World Expo in Dubai in 2020.  This will be the first time that the World Expo is staged in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MEASA).

German brand ophelis is one exhibitor you cannot miss if you’re looking for the best in office furniture; the brand plans to showcase their award winning ophelis docks at the Fair.

The nights have started getting a little cooler, and Star Fire Middle East offers the perfect solution to keeping your winter nights warm. The brand’s EcoSmart fireplaces are free standing and suit every type of client: whether you’re looking for a feature fireplace in a hotel lobby or free-standing piece of art in your home or apartment balcony. Their fireplaces are designed for everyone.

The modular USM Privacy Panels is a flexible, space-saving solution for structuring workplaces and defining working areas, creating privacy and optimising indoor acoustics. It is based on the modular matrix of the USM Modular Furniture Haller, underlining the outstanding feature of this classic design.

The special project will see the designer taking the partnership to a different emotional level. AHEC, the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry, traditionally collaborates with leading designers around the world on unique pieces that showcase at international design fairs, to highlight the diversity of their product.

USM decided to find out how the new generation of architects and designers perceive this design icon by launching an experiment. They placed 50 pieces of USM Modular Furniture Haller on the campuses of some of the most renowned architecture and design schools across the globe

Tell us about the vision for and inspiration behind Phase Two of the Dubai Design District (creative community)

Abboud Malak, founder of Studio M Dubai talks to Downtown Design about design vision and passion for interior architecture.

For inspiration ahead of the show, follow our five-step guide for a well-designed bathroom space:

NEO by Rodrigo Vairinhos

That was a question posed at this year’s Cityscape Global Conference. Research director of online company YouGov Lara Al Barazi asked for an answer at the event at Dubai’s Conrad Hotel.

The Kairos installation will literally take your breath away.  The concept is essentially an experiment designed for the body and mind. The lights brighten and fade progressively over 5 second periods. By synchronizing inspirations and expirations with these periods for 5 minutes, the body enters into a state of “coherent breathing”- a soft therapy developed and used by the medical corps.

This week Downtown Design catches up with Isabel Pintado, Managing Partner of LW Design Group who tells us about how they strive to achieve design excellence with each project.

With a strong reputation for design and creativity, Assemblyroom  produce quality pieces with personality. Assemblyroom Furniture will be showcasing their latest products at Downtown Design 2015. The list includes: Hyde Outside, Quayside Pendent Light  and Lisson Chair and Sofa.

Hadid’s $2 billion design for the 2020 Olympic Stadium in Tokyo was originally scrapped,  but then resubmitted. However the architect has now announced her firm will no longer participate in the competition.

The leading Czech producer of designer hand-blown glass lighting will be showing their latest collections: Lightline, Flutes and Muffin at the fair.

The panels are available in three series – Love, Hope and Beauty – that each depicts a different butterfly and comes in twelve different colours. The rectangular shapes can be displayed in numerous ways:  mounted on an easel; framed and hung across a wall partition or inserted into a wall.

In the land of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid, Georg Jensen saw fantasy and fairytale in every day, and designed works of art that were as practical as they were decorative. Trained as a sculptor, Jensen was fired by the spirit of innovation and artistic invention and set out to forge a bold new path in silver design. He designed, created and sold silver hollowware, cutlery and fine jewelry from his charming shop in central Copenhagen.

Aimed at attracting members of the creative business community, the second phase expansion includes 100 hectares of built-up space to serve as a cultural centre. It is expected to be completed by 2018.

The 110 year old brand is one of the global leaders in the sanitation industry and has acquired a reputation for being a leading innovator in technology, design and sustainability. Hansgrohe and Axor products are synonymous with innovative design, sustainable technologies and maximum functional quality.

Leading French manufacturer of luxury bathroom fittings and accessories THG Paris will debut a new collection at this year’s Downtown Design that redefines the concept of luxury in bathroom design.

With Cityscape Global coming to a close in Dubai, designMENA gives us insight into the various projects getting a head start next year:

The brand was co-founded by two American University of Dubai graduates, Marwa Al Shamry and Christelle Bitar, interior designers who share a passion for creating concept furniture inspired by different cultures and contemporary designs.

Vairinhos is currently working on a ceramic lighting collection called “THE LOVERS” which features 3 ceramic suspension lamps that were inspired by Arab culture.  The Portuguese exhibitor elaborates: “The collection was inspired by Arab-Islamic dress codes. If you look clearly at the lamp’s shape you’ll see that it’s reminiscent of a character, personified with a head and body.  I interpret White as a male figure, wearing a Kandura, and Black as a female figure, wearing an Abaya.

The brand’s pieces have been picked up by the likes of Jennifer Lopez and David Byrne, as well as numerous five-star hotels around the world including the Four Seasons Baku, Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi, Sheraton Burj Al Salam Dubai and many more.

Carla Conte, Creative Director- Brand Creative: