Time for Dutch Design!
Dutch Design Week is Eindhoven's cultural pride. It's the largest design event in the Netherlands and it offers 9 days of events and activities across the city. This year's 16th edition of Dutch Design Week takes place from October 20th until October 28th 2018. Over 335,000 visitors are expected to come from all over Eindhoven, the region, the country and from abroad to be inspired by new ideas, striking works and innovative solutions. We're sure you will find something to interest you from the extensive and unique program which boasts Ravi Naidoo, Laurens van den Acker and Wendy Plomp as this year's ambassadors.
Events
Over 2,600 Dutch and international designers will present their work in different ways over the course of Dutch Design week. You can go see, enjoy or take part in 400 events including exhibitions, design shops, workshops, seminars & conferences, lectures, company visits, award-giving ceremonies, parties and food & drinks!
Disciplines
Design is a broad term, so what can you expect? The work from all participating designers and organisations can (and sometimes can not) be categorised into design disciplines such as: industrial design, product design, graphic design, textile & fashion, spacial design, design management, design education and food design.
Locations
Although you can expect to come across the Dutch Design Week all around town (there are about 110 different locations!), most activities concentrate in and around the areas Strijp, Innercity and East.
Local Life Eindhoven recommends:
Of course you are planning to visit the Dutch Design Week, but what should you go see? Local Life Eindhoven will make a selection of some of the highlights closer to the start of the DDW.
Here are the highlights from previous editions:
- Graduation Show
This exhibition is a very popular highlight of the DDW. It shows the work of 130 students of Design Academy Eindhoven, both Bachelors and Masters. You'll find the Graduation Show in the Witte Dame ('white lady'), home of the academy. Regular opening hours are 11.00-18.00, varied hours on Sat 18th (open from 13.00), Thu 23rd and Fri 24th (until 22.00). There is an entry fee, but all students receive a discount.
- Industrial and conceptual design
At DDW, the Klokgebouw on Strijp-S hosts a lot of designers, labels and brands who have their focus on industrial design. This year the art directors of the Klokgebouw events are award-winning Dutch designer duo Kolk and Kusters. At the nearby Videolab individual designers and design groups will also show their conceptual designs. Look out for this year's ground-breaking interior design fish bowl product. You'll want one for every room of your house!
- Fun for the whole family
Kids aren't forgotten during DDW. The Ontdekfabriek ('discovery factory') is a permanent exhibition where children can actively take part in workshops and play around with design and technology. Entry is free, opening hours are 13.00-18.00 on the 18th until the 23rd and 11.00-18.00 on the 24th and 26th. There will also be a Design for Kids Dome at Stadhuisplein where children can try an array of artistic activities for free everyday between 11.00 and 18.00.
- Farming in the city
Are you interested in gardening and growing your own food? Then you must visit GROW City Farming on Vestdijk, where you can enjoy workshops on growing your own herb garden and creating a communal garden space. Entrance is 4 € for students and either 5 or 6 € per adult depending on the size of your group.
- Baltan Laboratories
One of the hotspots we recommend this year is Baltan Laboratories in NatLab on Kastanjelaan, where designers, co-designers, artists and other creative companies explore society, culture and national identity under the theme of “Age of Wonderland”. Some of the events are free, please check online for more details.
- Design 4the fittest at the Stadhuis
This exhibition by the municipality of Eindhoven reveals lifestyle designs as created by students of the city for their peers. It's an opportunity to consider our health in the context of design which hopes to make a healthier way of living seem even more attractive! Entrance to the Stadhuis (city hall) is free.
Information
With such a large and spread out event it can be tricky to find your way around. But, no worries, the Dutch Design Week info stands help you out! You can find them at the Central Train Station, Stadhuisplein, near the Witte Dame and in the Strijp-S area. Infoguides at the stands can assist you in finding your perfect event.
Entrance, opening hours & more
The majority of the Dutch Design Week events are free, although some of them require you to pay an entrance fee or to sign up. Visit the DDW-website to check event times and prices. This couldn't be easier with the online personal event selection tool. But with so many exciting events this year, you might want to consider buying a DDW passe partout ticket to ensure you don't miss a thing!