In the lead up to Design Days Dubai next week, the region's only collectible design fair, participating galleries and design professionals give their insights into building a design collection.

As the fair gears up for its fifth edition (March 14-18), fair director Cyril Zammit and Design Days Dubai’s galleries offer 10 quick tips to building a design collection:

1) Discover what you like

First consider which kind of design you like to collect. “Collections are not about budget or size, but about curatorial guidelines. Understand your interests and focus on them,” says Olivia Yassudo Faria, Director of Coletivo Amor de Madre (Sao Paulo).

Look at Design Days Dubai as a fair of discoveries. Use the chance to visit Design Days Dubai and browse 40+ exhibitors from 20 different countries.

Dutch Creative Industries, Cutted Cabinet by Rolf.fr

2) Don’t be afraid to ask questions

“Ask questions about everything. There’s so much to learn, whether it’s about the long process that goes into creating the design or about developing one’s own taste,” explains Rola Wazni, Director of Carpenters Workshop Gallery (London, Paris, NYC).

“Collecting is a slow process of learning. The more you learn about a designer, the thought and production process, the appreciation is increased,” says Emirati designer and exhibitor of Design Days Dubai, Aljoud Lootah.

Carpenters Workshop Gallery, Campana Brothers, 'Sushi Cabinet'

3) Trust the experts

“Galleries know their designers. They have insight on the work they represent and anticipate trends. They are great resources,” says Aurélia Bire Tenèze of J.C.T. Haute Couture Interiors (Paris).

“A gallery owner will act as a sponsor for its designers. Often, the gallery will finance the prototyping phase, the production of the series, putting their trust and resources into the designer. Consider then that a gallery bring these creations to the other side of the world to a fair like Design Days Dubai, even more resources – such as shipping, booth lay out and representation. Do you need more proof?” Cyril Zammit, Design Days Dubai’s fair director.

4) And trust your judgment

“Never buy a piece if you are having second thoughts about it,” Vick Vanlian.

“Prefer what you like. Always,” Olivia Yassudo Faria, Director of Coletivo Amor de Madre (Sao Paulo)

Barcelona Design Gallery, Amarist Studio, 'Console Alma'

5) Name your price

“Starting a collection can be very humble. Once you have the means and the knowledge one can move to higher prices and big pieces,” Iwan Maktabi of eponymous gallery (Beirut, Dubai)

“The long answer is that I don't think one needs a high budget to start a design collection. There's no rule anywhere that dictates objects in design collections have to be of a certain value, size, or medium. I would consider a beautifully crafted, hand-printed postcard to be part of a design collection. The world is filled with hidden gems of great design, you just have to be patient enough to find them,” adds Sharjar-based designer and Design Days Dubai Exhibitor, Ammar Kalo

Remember: the earlier you purchase a piece of a series, the lower the price will be.

“As Design Days Dubai is mostly presenting contemporary design, there’s a big possibility that your investment will grow in value. At Design Days Dubai 2016 we have a range of items at various price levels, the entry level price being around $500” explains Cyril Zammit.

6) Invest in the young

“Design Days Dubai has been often described by the international press as a place where young and emerging talents are seen first. This is where you can also start building up a great collection,” says Cyril Zammit.

“It is always interesting to follow young artists,bringing out  their potential and investing in their talent and future,” add Vick Vanlian (Beirut)

Aljoud Lootah, Oru Cabinet

7)  Touch!

“The beauty of design is touch! Unlike art, design is tactile and the feeling of a fine polished surface will be an important motivator for your purchase of an object. I see more and more design creations sold over the internet. I would only buy a piece if I have seen it before somewhere in real or if I totally trust the gallery. Call me old-school but to me there is a strong relationship that I need to create with a rare object. It will be with me for years and speed dating is not my cup of tea,” Cyril

8) Furnish first and collect later

“We all need furniture and it's the best way start at home, where you can enjoy your collection every day. When a person furnishes their environment, they hunt for a piece that will last. Investing in a limited-edition piece of design means you’re placing your money in your daily routine. Design pieces will take place in your space, subsequently it blends into your life and becomes one with your surroundings,” adds Cyril Zammit.

“Buy because you want to enjoy it every day,” says Siegfried Blume of Barcelona Design Gallery.

9) Start small

“Just start anywhere,finding well-designed objects that you like, and slowly startbuilding a collection. These objects could range from cutlery, to ceramic vases, to furniture pieces.” Ammar Kalo.

“Lighting is a good place to start as pieces are often small and very portable, if you change your mind it’s easy to move to another room. Or alternatively, start with something really practical that your space is in need of, then build the rest of your collection around this,” says Rola Wazni, Director at Carpenters Workshop Gallery.

10) Caution!

“Be careful, it’s addictive, once you start you will never stop!” Nisreen Abudail of Naqsh Collective (Amman, Jordan).

This article first appeared in Emirates Man (March 2016)