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

After a completely virtual edition in 2020, Dutch Design Week (DDW) is aiming to set up a physical event this year that will run from 16 – 24 October in Eindhoven.
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.
We would suggest NIFT / NID design aspirants to watch out for and follow up on such events to expand their design thought process and keep informed on the latest on the international scene in design.
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.
MartijnPaulen, 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.