In October of each year, Dutch Design Week (DDW) takes place in Eindhoven. The biggest design event in Northern Europe presents work and ideas of more than 2600 designers to more than 350,000 visitors from home and abroad. In more than 110 locations across the city, DDW organizes and facilitates exhibitions, lectures, prize ceremonies, networking events, debates and festivities.
Although during the event every imaginable discipline and aspect of design is on offer, the emphasis is on experiment, innovation and cross-overs. Exceptional attention each year goes to work and development of young talent.
DDW concentrates on the design of the future and the future of design. It is our objective to show how designers from around the world shape a positive future and to strengthen the position and meaning of Dutch designers.
Focus points for the coming years
1. The future requires international thinking and acting We realize that Dutch designers by definition act in an international environment. Designing the future is an international objective. With Dutch Design Week we therefore want to become the major international hub where the future is shown, explored and discussed.
2. The future requires connection If we want to strengthen the position and meaning of Dutch designers, we do that best by connecting them to a world of clients. That is why we strengthen our role as matchmaker. DDW offers a podium and network to designers and clients. In the coming years we will make more and more matches, also with international clients.
3. The future requires responsibility As designers we are optimists, but we also want to take responsibility. Even more because we believe in the power of creative minds. That is why we want to connect designers to social issues more actively in the coming years.
Dutch design
DDW does not just see Dutch design as a label for a certain group of designers or design aesthetic, but as a permanent reflection of a culture and attitude that is characteristic of the Netherlands and of Dutch people. We identify with a solution-oriented approach, functionality, humanism, free thinkers, brutality, humour, ability to put things into perspective, single-mindedness, not hindered by thinking in terms of hierarchical barriers, the unconventional. But also the readiness for taking stakeholders seriously and involving them in the solution, in the creative process. Dutch design is an attitude and does not by definition refer to a nationality.
Dutch Design Week Eindhoven
16 – 24 October, 2021
www.ddw.nl
Photos: Dutch Design Week 2019
