Design Days Dubai caught up with Emirati designer Aljoud Lootah to discuss her plans for the fair's fifth edition in March.

Aljoud Lootah returns to Design Days Dubai with a new limited edition series. The Emirati designer is one of a number of locally-based designers reaching global recognition, with two of the pieces from her 2015 Oru furniture and lighting collection recently being acquired by a major international museum’s permanent collection.

Aljoud Lootah, Oru series, 2015

Design Days Dubai: What inspires your work?
Aljoud Lootah: Patterns, folds and geometric shapes are at the heart of my inspiration. I also find the traditional UAE crafts very inspiring due to their complex shapes, textures and colors.

DDD: Tell us about your presentation at Design Days Dubai’s fifth edition – what ideas do you have? How important is it for you to exhibit in Dubai?
AL: I will be exhibiting a few pieces that draw inspiration from Arabesque motifs and patterns. The concept is to create objects with unified harmonious factors that makes them recognisable; objects with a visual structure that focuses on the construction of complex geometric patterns while produced in a simplified way. I believe that Dubai's design scene is exciting and emerging, and it's wonderful to take part in it. The design scene has been active for the past several years, but Dubai is cementing its position as a leading design capital internationally. The support, whether it is from peers, institutions and government makes a world of difference in propelling the generation and country as a whole. By exhibiting in the prominent Dubai's design events, I hope to inspire the upcoming designers to create & be involved in the coming years.

Aljoud Lootah's piece for Design Days Dubai is currently in progress

DDD: What are your plans and highlights for 2016?
AL: I've set a goal for 2016 where it would be the year I experiment with materials that aren't available locally. My plan is to work with new materials and design a series of products that would be limited editions, and another set of products that aren't in order to make them more accessible to a bigger market.

Aljoud is working in marble for the first time

DDD: Tell us about your studio – what’s on your desk right now?
AL: At the moment I am home-based. I have a small cosy corner which I work from. It has lots of sunlight which I love. My desk has a small marble & copper vase with a peony flower in it, a marble pen holder, cork picture/card holder, a calendar/to do list pad, 3 sketchbooks and lots of pens/pencils.

DDD: What is your dream collaboration?
AL: It's hard to say! There are a number of designers (regional amd international) who I'm highly fond of their work & design aesthetics. If I were to choose, it would be Nika Zupanc or Patricia Urquiola. That's what I would call a dream collaboration!