The annual Dubai Design Week is returning for its second year October 24 to 29. Created by Art Dubai Group, the design event will include panels, speeches and educational workshops, as well as the return of the Global Grad Show. The show, the largest exhibition of student work in the world, will showcase 135 student projects from 50 universities. The designs and products at the event fall into seven categories: home, construction, health, work, memory, mobility and play.

The Grad Show was designed to address underserved populations and different thinking; each project was selected because it has the potential to have an impact on the world. “With each submission, I asked myself, ‘Why does this need to exist?’” Brendan McGetrick, the show's curator, said in a statement. “Different localities bring at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro 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.”

Some of this year’s designs include Oneware, a sink extension for users with one hand, from students at the University of Singapore; Hilla, a nightlight system to help the elderly and visually impaired, designed by student Jaakko Raami at Aalto University; Ziggy, a personal hand-operated washing device from a student at Tshwane University; and Favo, a motion-operated shower system designed by two students at Pontifical Catholic University.

Throughout the week, there will be over 100 other events for design aficionados, designers, architects and thought leaders, including Downtown Design, a trade fair with over 100 brands; an exhibition titled “Iconic City: Cairo Now! City Incomplete”; a multidisciplinary presentation; and 15 installations designed by international and local designers that will be on display throughout the city.