Mission Days

From Monday 20 to Friday 24 October, Dutch Design Week presents Mission Days: an in-depth programme that places a major societal challenge on the agenda each day. Every weekday focuses on a different mission, designed to foster meaningful encounters between participating designers and professional visitors.

Mission Days is a place where designers and professionals come together to address societal issues through the lens of the power of design. It is a programme for expanding networks, sharing knowledge, and building inspiring collaborations.


“The involvement of so many different organisations was truly energising. It felt as though together we were setting something in motion that went beyond a single conference.”
— Olof Schuring Directorate X Innovation, Knowledge & Strategy – Ministry of Justice and Security Participant Mission Days DDW24

Discover the programme

Monday 20 October | Living Environment

Designing our living environment, mobility, and the materials we use to shape them, means shaping our own liveability.

Tuesday 21 October | Vital Planet

For a vital, healthy planet, design must strengthen the natural power of the earth — or at the very least, not stand in its way.

Wednesday 22 October | Digital Futures

Our digital realities and futures are being actively explored and shaped by designers — from virtual worlds to artificial intelligence, and from global platforms to individual experiences.

Thursday 23 October | Health & Wellbeing

Designs that help improve not only our food and healthcare, but also our happiness — and the most important thing we have: our health.

Friday 24 October | Equal Society

To achieve an equitable society, we need to (re)design systems and interactions that value everyone. Safety, inclusivity, and connection are central to this mission.

When?

The Mission Days programme mainly takes place at the edges of the day, outside regular DDW opening hours. This way, designers can both take part in the content-driven programme and still welcome visitors to their own exhibitions or DDW contributions during the day.

Each Mission Day consists of three parts where depth, inspiration and wonder come together:

Morning Sessions

An inspiring morning programme at Natlab, starting with a keynote speaker selected by Dutch Design Foundation. Design professionals and professional visitors with shared interests can meet, exchange knowledge, broaden their networks and take the first steps towards new collaborations. The morning sessions conclude with a shared lunch.

Afternoon Tours

An afternoon programme where participants explore DDW through the lens of one of the five missions. This might be with a guided tour of designers working within the mission, or independently using an overview of tips and highlights.

Evening Sessions

An in-depth evening programme that builds on the themes of the morning sessions. Mission Days continue across various locations in the city, allowing participants to experience the relationship between design and the public in new ways.

For whom?

Mission Days are designed for designers, other design professionals and professional visitors engaged in or connected to one of the DDW missions. The programme offers the opportunity to:

  1. Find inspiration
  2. Share knowledge with the right audience
  3. Meet fellow designers and (design) professionals
  4. Lay the groundwork for further encounters during DDW
  5. Connect with the most relevant trade media

Mission Days are all about inspiration and knowledge, networking and building meaningful collaborations. This is where you want to be as a designer or design professional.