Last Thursday 28 November, the BNO launched the fifth edition of the Dd Yearbook, this time with the theme (Off) Balance. This publication offers the overview of a year of Dutch design and highlights the latest developments within the profession.
Find out which emerging talents will shape the future, who won coveted design awards and how designers try to find inspiration and balance in a time when balance often seems lost.
Party!
During the launch of the new Dd Yearbook, we met several designers featured in the book. Neuroscientist Lara Wierenga shared her insights on the creative brain in relation to stimuli and stress, and image maker Anna de Groot talked about the thinking behind the brightly coloured brains from her graduation work Every Brain Works Differently and that Works. Graduates Nande Overtoom, Peter Wertmann and Rachelle Jeuring gave insights into their work process and shared their vision for the future. Design curator Yassine Salihine spoke about the normative nature of perfection and emphasised that imbalance can be an essential driver of progress. Finally, BNO members Niels Vrijdag and Boris Maas talked about how their work connects to the theme of (Off) Balance.
Dd, Dutch designers Yearbook ’24-’25
Dd Yearbook ‘24-’25 keeps its finger on the pulse in a world where contradictions dominate the discourse. Democracy versus autocracy, environment versus consumption, tech-made versus human-made, tradition versus innovation – the question is no longer whether imbalance is the key concept of our time, but whether we are willing and able to redress the balance. Will the design sector cling to the status quo, or will designers dare to explore new forms of functionality and meaning?
In this edition, we not only look back on an eventful design year, but also focus on the role of design in tomorrow’s society. Contributions from prominent journalists, scientists and designers offer valuable insights. These include an essay on the creative brain by neuroscientist Lara Wierenga, a special podcast edition of Designers Inc. with zeitgeist analyst Christine Boland, ten design year highlights by journalist Jeroen Junte, an in-depth interview with design curator Yassine Salihine and interviews by journalist Viveka van de Vliet with experts on the added value and downsides of design awards.
In addition, the publication showcases promising graduation work from Dutch design schools, from practical solutions to current issues to thought-provoking creations. The edition also includes award-winning work by leading names such as Noon Passama, BCXSY, Joost Grootens, Hedy Tjin, Lidewij Edelkoort, Patta, Mohamed Benchellal, Marit Törnqvist, TBWA\NEBOKO and Typotheque.
Ordering a book
Dd Yearbook ‘24-’25 is distributed free of charge to designers and agencies affiliated to the BNO. Non-members can order the book here.
Photography: Evy Hachmang
