Dutch Design Week sets course for a live stage in Eindhoven in 2021

The nine-day festival will be supported by an online programme consisting of virtual exhibitions - 3D Viewing Rooms - and DDW TV. With its theme “The Greater Number”, the twentieth edition is dedicated to the search for the better number. Starting now, designers can apply for participation in DDW21.

Dutch Design Week 2021

DDW looks ahead optimistically and aims for a physical festival in Eindhoven this October. The organisation acknowledges that the digital part of DDW is indispensable but emphasizes that the physical event remains the heart of the festival, which is why the organisation is working hard to make this happen. Martijn Paulen, DDW Director, explains the decision. "We learned a lot from the virtual DDW in 2020, but it can't replace the feeling of a live festival. DDW stands for serendipity and chance meetings - new designers, ideas and vistas that surprise and inspire you unexpectedly. We want to aim for that." As the organisation points out, these relevant encounters are of great importance to participating designers. DDW hopes that in more than six months, they'll be able to welcome visitors to various locations in accordance with the applicable COVID-19 measures at the time. It is a decision made after consulting with the design community, important partners and relevant authorities. "Needless to say, alternative plans are in place, but we believe there is a possibility of a physical event by then," adds Paulen.
 
The festival will also be supported by an online programme including the 3D Viewing Rooms and DDW TV, which were first introduced in 2020. Both of these will be revised and further developed so that they will work well with the 2021 edition.

Call for Entries 2021 opened

Starting now, designers can apply for participation in DDW21 via the website. In addition to the physical festival in Eindhoven, a limited number of 3D Viewing Rooms are available for the online event, which the organisation will provide in conjunction with the design community. The complete programme with all participating designers will be made available in September.

The Greater Number, the quest for the better number

After the corona crisis, will we continue on the same road that we've been following for the past decades, namely a road built by economic growth? That is a question many people have asked during the last year. DDW doesn't think so and calls for reflection and change with 'The Greater Number'. Change should focus more on social values and taking better care of the planet rather than on purely economic reasons. Perhaps less consumption is needed to reduce waste, more sustainable products should be used, or a new change in behaviour is required between consumer and product. A future where there is a constant search for a better number - sometimes less, sometimes more but then of higher quality, and sometimes simply different. Also, when it comes to opportunities and inclusiveness in our society. All of this is captured in the overarching theme 'The Greater Number', a quest for the better number. DDW hopes that with this theme, participating designers and partners are inspired to share their vision with the help of various subthemes surrounding the pandemic, wellbeing economy, the climate, inclusivity and the design field. The complete motivation behind this theme can be found on the DDW website.

A new visual identity by thonik

DDW is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year with a new visual identity that will be developed further in the coming period by Amsterdam-based thonik, founded by designers Nikki Gonnissen and Thomas Widdershoven. Following this announcement, the organisation has published an interview with the design agency.