Dubai Design Week (DDW) kicks off on November 13 - and ends on the 18th. This is the third chapter of DDW, which has now become the definitive design platform in the region. Dubai is a true city of modern design; from the Burj Khalifa to Dubai Design District (D3), design is part of its DNA. The 2017 DDW will see over 200 activities staged in locations across the city. And you don't have to be a design expert to enjoy this week. Of course, for those in the industry, the talks at Downtown Design and the Global Grad Show will be the highlights. The week has been organised under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-Chairman of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and is also supported by D3.

To know what to do, we suggest you treat the week as two segments: the Dubai Design Week components around the city, and then Downtown Design, the design fair that sits within DDW. This will be the fifth edition of Downtown Design (that has already doubled in size), and is a trade show that's of great consumer interest with 150 contemporary design brands participating from 25 countries.

Of course, while this is an international platform, there is a strong emphasis on home-grown talent - throughout the week.

5 things not to miss during Dubai Design Week: 
1) Abwab, Dubai Design District
'Abwab' - Arabic for doors - has become a key part of DDW. This year, Abwab will host 45 designs from 15 countries within the MENASA region. A true celebration of contemporary design, the show will be housed within a dramatic temporary structure made from used materials designed by Dubai-based architects Fahed & Architects, recent winner of the National Architect of the Year Award in India.

2) The Super Design Market, Dubai Design District
A new entry at DDW, this exclusive pop-up will be a must go-to for Dubai's design and décor enthusiasts. Featured international brands include Vitra with handmade dolls designed by Alexander Girard alongside MoMA, Papier Tigre, L'Abitare, Phaidon, Tashkeel and Brand Inc among others. A good place to start your Christmas gift shopping!

3) Making Space | Workshop Pop-up, Dubai Design District
The best part of DDW is how interactive it is, and this studio-style venue will host a range of creative activities to bring the design process to life with drop-in demonstrations and workshops. The programme line-up includes: printing, paper-making and pottery, organised by Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children; the art of wrapping with fabric with MASKA; contemporary weaving with thejamjar; and sketching workshops with Urban Sketchers. So, if you're looking to do something with your children, this is the one for you.

4) Design in Bloom, O'de Rose, Umm Suqeim
Founder of Dubai's best-known concept store Nadine Kassem Khoury's exhibition has become a regular feature during DDW. The title of this year's show is 'Design in Bloom' and features exclusive works created by Lebanese designer Tamara Barrage and also marks the UAE debut of Lél, an artistic collective dedicated to preserving and evolving the ancient art of hand-crafted stone inlay.

5) The Apartment #3, La Galerie Nationale, Alserkal Avenue
For people who enjoy European art and design collectibles, Le Galerie Nationale at Alserkal Avenue transforms itself into an apartment to exhibit rare artworks, decorative arts and furniture from Europe from the second half of the 20th century. It will feature works by Mathieu Matégot, Pierre Guariche, Marco Zanuso, Serge Mouille, Charlotte Perriand, Hans Wenger, Joseph-Andre Motte and Pierre Paulin.

If you want to do just one thing during DDW, then head to Downtown Design (November 14-17); even if you're not looking for something, it's a great place to window-shop, browse and get some ideas about how to update your home. This is where established and emerging brands show off their latest wares and it's split into specific product categories - including furniture, lighting, bathrooms, kitchens, textiles and accessories. From Italian high design to local crafts-based products, it really gives you an idea of all that is happening in the world of décor and design. And with cool installations and cafés also a part of the show, you can easily spend a whole afternoon at the fair.

Three good reasons to go to Downtown Design: 
1) L'Objet: Many well-known home design brands are part of this edition of Downtown, including Baccarat, Kohler and Fendi Casa. Making its Downtown debut is one very special brand - L'Objet, which has been set up by Beverly Hills interior designer Elad Yifrach (as a trade professional, he saw a gap in the market for beautiful artisanal objects for the home). With a love of hand-applied gold, many techniques used in L'Objet pieces are drawn from fine jewellery practices. And it has a loyal following in this region since the brand started well over a decade ago. They will be showcasing two of their collections: Tulum - a collection of organic, textured home decor inspired by the Mayan Riviera - and Alchimie Gold and Platinum dinnerware - the design of which is a modern interpretation of Venice's timeless mélange of texture, colour and light.

2) The Lighthouse Pop-Up: The Lighthouse concept store and café, already a favourite with Dubai Design District regulars, is putting together a special experience for Downtown - "LH Pop-Up at Downtown Design". It gives you a 'taste' into the ethos behind The Lighthouse, and includes Chef Izu's Mediterranean-inspired menu; DJ John Hanlidis will be flying in from Mykonos just for the fair, to spin his most popular nu-disco tunes. The Lighthouse creative director Layla Aldabbagh will be casting her curatorial eye to the pop-up with handpicked objects from some of our favourite designers available for sale.

3) Art Furniture: Discovering local talents is one of Downtown's strong points. A debut exhibitor this time is Roudha Alshamsi, a furniture designer, who has an artistic approach in all her products. Fittingly, she is showing "Art Furniture". The bespoke collection, the result of a close study of the local environment and distinctive wildlife, is inspired by the local umbrella thorn acacia called 'Samr'. The tree is usually small, wiry and carries aromatic white flowers in tight clusters; seeds are produced in pods, which are coiled into a spring shape. The pods are perfectly adjacent to each other on a sphere of pentagon cones representing a stunning level of engineering from which the fractals of the Acacia Surface Series are derived. Alshamsi's work is a good showcase of modern contemporary Arab design. and since this fair attracts an international audience, it will be interesting to see how a global audience reacts to this young Emirati designer.