Surge in interior design projects

Interior design is not a career most parents want their children to take up. Yet in pockets of the UAE, young talent is being nurtured at the university level.

Recently, interior design students from the Ajman University of Science and Technology (AUST) showcased their latest projects at The Dubai Mall.

The exhibition was part of the interior design department's community outreach plan where students had the platform to display their works in a public space and interact with a larger audience.

One group of students worked on fabrics for chairs and displayed their finished works inside the mall, while other students had large sculptures and jars they had designed outside. The chairs were covered in fabrics that had sequins, motifs, drawings and crystals on them.

"The designs, combining the students' creative talents with practical skills and knowledge acquired in the classrooms, were made with a high level of creativity using a variety of materials," said Professor Fahr Hayati, dean of the College of Engineering.

Hayati said the exhibition was the fifth of its kind. "It demonstrates clearly the vision of AUST in bridging the gap with the business community. The exhibition showcases the work of our students and allows them to market their skills and capabilities before graduation."

He added that exhibitions in public venues gave students confidence and motivation to produce their best work and compete with their peers.

Gaining experience

Noora Al Shamsi was one of the lucky students at the exhibition. Her classic black and white Madeleine armchairs were showcased in a Galleries Lafayette fashion show.

"There was a guy from a Copenhagen gallery who saw my chair and asked if they could be put in a show. It was very exciting to have my work be a part of a fashion show. " The piece chosen was a black and white chair with a jewelled Eiffel Tower on the back.

Exhibition supervisor Zahrah Al Sa'adoun said 60 pieces had been designed and combined theory with laboratory exercises. Students had added personal creative touches which enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the displays.

Al Sa'adoun said students had a bright future ahead as a number of companies and individuals have already made enquiries regarding the purchase of the displayed work, or about employing the student designers before graduation.