Dutch Design Week '21: optimistic, creative and critical

The largest design festival in Northern Europe, Dutch Design Week (DDW), showed how much designers are busy finding the right balance, towards less or more, but better. With the theme 'The Greater Number', this year's festival called for a critical look at our way of producing and consuming. Many designers are aware of the fact that things need to change and come up with creative ideas and innovative designs. This is not a ready-made solution, but a joint search for a better balance: a 'Greater Number'.Online editor: Mical Joseph
Image: Dutch Design Week

Designers as conscientious guides

Dutch Design Week came at exactly the right time. A lot is happening in the world. The perspective and enthusiasm of designers are needed more than ever. They sink their teeth into the range of issues we are confronted with and they always put the public interest first. Whether it concerns the nitrogen problem, housing shortage, mobility or social issues surrounding, for example, inclusivity, designers form the guiding vanguard when it comes to charting a new course. A course leads to a sustainable, more social and more just future.

© Britt Roelse

© Max Kneefel

Get inspired

Projects, events, studios: design was everywhere during Dutch Design Week. Work from more than 2600 designers was shown. Every day DDW streamed the various topics via DDW TV. A talk show presented by Brecht van Hulten, full of fascinating conversations and inspiring items. Dutch Design Week will of course be back next year.© Cleo Goossens