10x Must-sees at Dutch Design Week

Hey design lover! A visit to Dutch Design Week (DDW) is probably high on your agenda. First time visiting? Be sure to check out this handy guide. Have you been to DDW before? Then you know: even with nine days, you'll run out of time. But no stress, these must-sees will give you the absolute highlights of the festival.

Graduation Show @Microstad

Are you short on time? Stop reading and head straight to the Graduation Show in Microstad. We could go on and on, but honestly, this entire exhibition is a must-see. That shouldn’t be a surprise; here, the next generation of leading designers from Design Academy Eindhoven showcase their work. We tell you all about this DDW tip right here.

Manifestations @VEEM

Have you even been to Dutch Design Week if you haven’t visited Manifestations? It’s become a true DDW staple—not just because it’s free, but for its content: always a little unconventional, thought-provoking, and innovative. Over 50 young, often freshly graduated artists explore the (mis)matches between humans and technology. This year’s theme: HAPPY END?.  Yes, the question mark is intentional.

Bridging Minds @Van Abbemuseum

Experience how design connects worlds in Bridging Minds, curated by Dutch Design Week co-founder Miriam van der Lubbe. At the Van Abbemuseum, discover 100 works by influential designers like Jalila Essaïdi, Hella Jongerius, and Formafantasma, spread across ten inspiring rooms.

Grand projects @various locations

The bigger the better,that’s the motto for a selection of impressive installations in public spaces, some up to ten meters high. During DDW, eleven of these projects take over the city center and Strijp-S. A few highlights: The Waiting Room at Ketelhuisplein, exploring the flaws of the asylum system; City at Sea Level at the Markt, tackling climate change; and Factory 5.0, a living pavilion deconstructing what the industry has built. The rest? Make sure to see them all!

Forward Furniture @De Caai

The location, De Caai, alone is a must-see: a raw, 2,000 m² industrial hall once home to Campina’s dairy factory. Here, 60 to 100 international participants share their vision on furniture design. Forward Furniture offers a glimpse into the future, from collectible designs to bold, conceptual experiments.

Hydro R100 @Kazerne

See how waste from a 100-kilometer radius transforms into design at Hydro R100 in Kazerne. After editions in Milan and Copenhagen, the exhibition lands in Eindhoven. Fun fact: the designs use 52 tons of local aluminum scrap from demolished greenhouses and old Dutch streetlights.

A bit of everything @Sectie-C

Hands up in the air: who usually kicks off  DDW at Strijp-S? Guilty as charged. Let's mix it up this year. Head to Sectie-C, the creative hub for 200+ entrepreneurs. Expect everything from ‘klessebessen’ (to chit-chat) on custom street furniture to a food safari with pioneers reimagining what’s on our plates. More Sectie-C tips here.

Class of 25 @Klokgebouw

Every year, the ‘Class of’ is one of the program's highlights. Young makers and students from Dutch and international design schools present their work to the public. The following academies (and many more) have some pretty cool things to show you:  Academy of Fine Arts Gdańsk, Artemis Academie, State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart, and the Royal Academy of Art from The Hague.

Over a quarter-century of Design @Various locations

While Dutch Design Week celebrates its 25th edition, so do some of the Netherlands' top designers. At Kiki & Joost, you will find a playful collection of tapestries and daring wearables. Visit their canal-side studio, complete with a woodwork shop and showroom—housed in a former Philips paper factory.

Everything in one place @The Design Hubs

Overwhelmed by choice? We get that. Our tip? Start at the Design Hubs. Think of them as your personal ingredient list for crafting the perfect DDW experience. This year, they pop up across Eindhoven, each with a unique theme (all about design, of course). Find all Hubs and themes here.