Dutch Design Week 2021
Design and innovation are tools to transform the way we live and connect with others and our environment. They can be the fuel of inspiration and a force of positive change. The 2021 Dutch Design Week proved to be a compilation of national and international examples of how design can be just that: inspiring and transformative. The theme of this year exhibition was ‘The Greater Number’, a reminder that ‘more is not always better’.
“The future of design will be about reducing and fixing the overdose of design from the last century.” Zuzanna Skalska
This year, innovation and design blended in a quest for new (natural) materials, humanizing technology and new sustainable design solutions. Sometimes, merging both or all three in one design. Enjoy our highlights of the event…
Technology & Digital
Technology is enabling new levels of connectivity between objects and their users. Tapping into the digital world has never been more tangible, allowing for ever more engaging experiences and even deeper emotional connections.
“If future humans will ever live in entirely virtual worlds, what would their lives look like? How would we live if we were not hindered by language barriers, geography and social hierarchy?” ALLLESSS
Humanizing technology – a new way of interaction
[Caption] IPSUM by Mathias Verheijden, Charlaine Janssen and Bart Bonges
Less rendering = more understanding?
[Caption] Crash by Jonas Hejduk
Plugging users into an ecosystem of connectivity
[Caption] Cloud interface by Vincent Snijders
Social and ecological solutions
Designers and innovators are taking responsibility. Inclusiveness, circular economy, and waste reduction are at the centre of their work.
“The rise of production in the 20th century has changed the way we relate to our products. When something stops functioning, we replace it. When something has become abundant, we throw it away.” DDW2021
The gadget of tomorrow is green
[Caption] WEAR by HappyGreen
The future of travel – redefining ‘experience’
[Caption] MINI Vision Urbanaut
Covid-19 single-use masks (1500 in total) put to good use
[Caption] COAT-19 by Tobia Zambotti & Aleksi Saastamoinen
New (natural) materials
Technology and creativity get together seeking alternative, more eco-friendly materials.
“For too long, we have taken Mother Earth for granted. Deep scars are everywhere in the landscape… Things must change. And it can be done differently.” Jeroen Junte at DesignDigger
Bacterial cellulose becomes a biodegradable, strong and flexible material
[Caption] LUNA by Studio Lionne van Deursen
A bioinspired textile platform
[Caption] Motor Skins by Juan Opitz Silva, Facunda Gutierres, jose Villatoro and Nils JanBen
From banana peel to shoe outsole
[Caption] KUORI materials
