Time for Dutch Design!

The Dutch Design Week is Eindhoven's cultural pride. It's the largest design event in the Netherlands and it offers 9 days of events and activities across the city. This year the Dutch Design Week celebrates its 10th anniversary, which takes place from October 22nd until October 30th. 150.000 Visitors are expected to come from all over Eindhoven, the region, the country and from abroad to be inspired by new ideas, striking works and innovative solutions. We're sure you will find something of your choice in the extensive and unique program!

Events
At the Dutch Design Week 1.800 Dutch and international designers present their work in different ways. You can go see, enjoy or take part in: exhibitions, designshops, workshops, seminars & conferences, lectures, company visits, award-giving ceremonies, parties and food & drinks!

Disciplines
Design is a broad term, what can you expect? The work from all participating designers and organisations can (and sometimes can not) be categorised is design desciplines such as: industrial design, product design, graphic design, textile & fashion, spacial designs, design management, design education and food design.

Locations
Although you can expect to come across the Dutch Design Week all around town in the last week of October (there are over 60 different locations!), the activities concentrate in and around the colour-marked areas Strijp, the 'Witte Dame' (white lady) building in the city centre, 'Stadhuisplein' (city hall square) and the central train station. Some are outside these areas.

Eindhoven-Life recommends
Of course you are planning to visit the Dutch Design Week, but what should you go see? Eindhoven-Life has made a selection of with some of the highlights:
- And the winner is...
Dutch Design Week starts with a special evening program on Saturday October 22nd. Dutch Design Awards (DDA) is handing out the award for the best Dutch designs of the year during the Awardshow in Muziekgebouw. The work of the finalists and the winners will be on display in a special glass house on the City Hall square. You can visit this exhibition for € 5,-, daily between 11am and 8pm (on Monday from 1am).
- Some good old window shopping
About 90 stores in the main shopping area and in 'De Bergen' (around Kleine Berg) have offered their display windows to desigers, who use this opportunity to show their work to shoppers. There's a special route set out, passing by all participating stores. A booklet with this route can be found in the stores, at DDW information points and at the tourist office.
- Young talent
A very popular highlight of the DDW is the Graduation Show, an exhibition in the 'Witte Dame' (white lady), which shows the work of 153 students of Design Academy Eindhoven, both Bachelors and Masters. Entry is € 10,-, € 5,- for students, and opening hours are 11am - 18pm, Saturday 22nd opening at 2pm, Thursday 27th and Friday 28th open till 10pm.
- Fashion on display
This is another walking route you can follow in the city centre. The 'Moderoute' (fashion route), starting from de Krabbedans in the Witte Dame, shows the projects of young fashion designers. Entry is free, opening hours from 11am - 6pm every day.
- Chill out!
We can assure you, the Dutch Design Week will exhaust you if you don't take a regular break. From 10am-12pm the official DDW Hangout is open for you every day at the 'Blob'. Get some food and a drink and enjoy the atmosphere!
- Kids' fun
Kids aren't forgotten during the DDW. In the Ontdekfabriek ('discovery factory') is a permanent exhibiton where children can actively take part in workshops and play around with design and technolgy. Stories are used as inspiration. Entry is free, opening hours are 1-6pm, on Sundays from 11am.

Information
With such a large and spread out event it can be tricky to find your way around. But, no worries, the Dutch Design Week info stands help you out! You can find them at the Central Train Station, city hall square, near the 'Witte Dame' and at the entrance of the 'Klokgebouw' at Strijp S. Infoguides at the stands can assist you in finding the best events for you.

Entrance, opening hours & more
The majority of the Dutch Design Week events are free, some of them require an access fee or sign up. Check the DDW-website to look up the event of your choice. Also for opening hours we would give you the same advise because this is different for every event. The website also has a great tool for selecting your personal not-to-miss events. For € 15 you can get yourself a DDW Pass at the participating locations and Information points which gives you VIP status and access to the Graduation Show Design Academy, Dutch Design Awards Greenhouse and the Designhuis.