Highlights of the IFI Design 2050 – Technology Design Education congress held in Dubai

It was a major event and the who’s who of the industry along with the international design forces joined their hands to make IFI Design 2050 – Technology-Design- Education congress a huge success. The event supported by DUBAI –Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, (DTCM) in collaboration with the UAE’s Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID) was held from February 25-28 2020, at Park Hyatt, Dubai. Over 1,000 leading international and regional designers participated in this major four-day event for the design industry, where a major new international design competition will be launched.

The event witnessed over 300 international delegates from 65 countries. Some of the keynote speakers at the event were Ashley Hall, Professor of Design Innovation, Royal College of Art London, UK; Arturo Dell’Acqua Bellavitis, Professor and Dean, Milan Polytechnic, Italy; Rosanne Somerson, President Rhode Island School of Design, Rhode Island, USA; and Dr Ibrahim Karim, the cofounder of BioGeometry. Shashi Caan, IFI CEO, said: “The International Federation of interiors, architects, and designers is a professional body for architect, interiors, and designers. All professions have one professional body that helps them to bring them together, to raise the bar of education, set standards, network, and engage in a lot of other activities. IFI is such a world body for designers and architects. APID is a very long-standing and Highlights of the IFI Design 2050 – Technology Design Education congress held in Dubai ENGAGING MINDS important member. We’ve been to Dubai before as well. We come together with APID to uplift the discipline, to cause public awareness, and also to take some important initiatives together. “ Caan further explains: “The general assembly happens once every two years, it’s a bi-annual meeting with members only. Because the meeting requires travelling of members from all across the world, we also combine with our congress and a series of other events for the development of the industry. When IFI comes to any particular country or city, the idea is to get that member and city, and their industry the maximum spotlight for their benefit and progress.”

The event highlights topical issues such as sustainability and environmental concerns. This year they focussed on Dubai and covered three important aspects –design, technology, and education. HE Farida Abdullah Kamber Al Awadhi, the first Emirati woman interior designer at the helm of APID for over a decade said: “We had eminent and influential speakers participate in the Congress. This was a unique opportunity for designers in this region to experience first hand their vision for the profession as we move forward.” Several prominent and highly influential local designers also participated in the panel discussions and shared their views on interior design. An IFI Interiors Education Policy Development workshop was also held.