Participants FAQ

Dutch Design Week (DDW) is the platform for high-quality design. DDW is about the design of the future and the future of design. It aims to inspire, share, and connect.

During the nine-day event, Eindhoven is fully dedicated to design, covering all disciplines and aspects of design. Spread across approximately 120 locations throughout the city, DDW organises and facilitates exhibitions, lectures, award ceremonies, networking events, debates, and festivities.

The focus is on expertise and talent, experimentation, innovation, and crossovers. Dutch Design Week is also the platform where we discuss and shape the future of design. Our mission is to showcase how designers worldwide shape a positive future and to strengthen the position and significance of Dutch designers in this process.

This year, DDW will take place from Saturday, October 17, to Sunday, October 25, 2026.

This is the event where you can showcase your work to a vast, international audience. DDW attracts an enormous number of visitors each year, including design enthusiasts, buyers, curators, businesses, government agencies, and fellow designers.

All designers from all possible backgrounds. DDW aims to provide a broad perspective on the design field and reflect societal trends. Diversity and multiple perspectives are very important to us. We specifically encourage collaborations between designers, businesses, industries, scientists, policymakers, and knowledge institutions to apply.

You can apply with projects that meet the following criteria:

• Your project aligns with our vision of design:
• We look forward, because we believe that designers shape the future, working across various design disciplines. Your creative power manifests in artistic, speculative, or innovative ways, addressing either individual or societal perspectives.
• Your project has been conceived, developed, or produced in the past year and has not been presented in this way at DDW before.
• Your work demonstrates professional design quality.
• The project is original and distinctive in both concept and execution.
• The design is innovative or adds something to existing ideas.
• Your work is relevant to the current zeitgeist.
• The project is ready for professional presentation.

You can participate in DDW by responding to our Open Call. To do so, create a My DDW account and complete the application form. For alternative ways to apply, feel free to contact us.

Step 1.
Submit your project. Create a My DDW account and fill out the application form. Read the participation terms carefully.

Step 2.
We review your application. If your project is approved, proceed to step 3!

Step 3.
We send you an offer. Sign it digitally and pay the invoice within the given deadline.

Step 4.
Find a suitable location. Read more about finding the right location for your project or reach out to our suggested locations.

Step 5.
Confirm your location with us after reaching an agreement with your location. Once this is secured, inform us through your My DDW account.

Step 6.
Your location is approved. Now fill in the information printed map information form in your My DDW account.

Step 7.
Finalize your participation. Submit your project information in My DDW—the final and most crucial step for DDW26 participation.

Step 8.
Enjoy Dutch Design Week 2026!
 

The best location for your project is one that fits your vision. We believe designers should have control over their exhibition space. To assist you, we have compiled a list of available locations throughout Eindhoven. While finding a location is your responsibility, we’re happy to assist if needed.

Read more about available locations →

Wednesday 1 April
Start Call for Entries

Tuesday 19 May 
Deadline first application round
You will receive a response to your application by Tuesday, 2 June.
This is an important deadline for projects that take place in the public space, participants who want to exhibit on Ketelhuisplein, and for participants in need of a visa.

Tuesday 16 June
Deadline second application round and end of Call for Entries (*with an exception to graduates)
You will receive a response to your application by Tuesday, 30 June*

Tuesday 30 June
Deadline and end of Call for Entries for graduates.
You will receive a response to your application by Tuesday, 7 July

Friday 7 August
Deadline for submitting location + project information for the map

Monday 31 August
Deadline for uploading project information for online programme

Tuesday 1 September
Online programme visible on ddw.nl

The prices mentioned above are the basic participation fees for participation in DDW. Additional costs may apply, including:

• Venue rental or per square meter pricing
• Facility costs
• Travel, accommodation, catering, and hosting costs
• Insurance costs
• Production costs for your presentation

• Nine days of networking with an international audience
• A dedicated program team for support
• Your own page in the online program on ddw.nl
• Listing on the DDW map
• Two tickets for the Grand Opening of DDW
• Visibility through Design Rides
• Free or discounted DDW tickets

Matching Preferences

By gaining insight into your position within the design field, we can facilitate better matches and create the best possible DDW experience for you. Our goal is not to categorize you but to help you find the ideal way to present your work and connect with relevant networks.

We aim to increase your visibility and maximize valuable meetings and business opportunities.

We would like to know:

• Which design perspective best matches you as a designer and/or your work:
  • Signature & Collection
  • Speculative & Social
  • Product & Craft
  • Service & Innovation
  • Independent & Critical

• Which design discipline your work is related to and which mission best aligns with your work:
  • Healthy Planet
  • Living Environment
  • Health & Well-being
  • Equal Society
  • Digital Futures

More information on Missions and Perspectives →