Dutch Design Week 2021
This is what impressed me
written by Karlijn Pustjens
Brand Designer at D8 Amsterdam
After months of us all hiding away at home, it was so nice to finally get back into the real world and attend a design event in person. This year Dutch Design Week was back with more than 2600 designer exhibitors spread across 9 design districts. And I had only one day to see as much of it as I could fit in!
I’ve rounded up my favourite finds and new product launches from this important Dutch festival. There’s everything from lighting to Piet Hein Eek design and 3d printed room dividers to an amazing bridge concept to help insects cross the road.
Studio Sho
The work of the designer Studio Sho is exhibited in an old industrial building. The designer searches for the identity and beauty of wood in his designs. He observes and listens to the wood before he transforms it into a unique object.
Piet Hein Eek
With a focus on sustainability, Piet Hein Eek is one of the most famous Dutch contemporary designers. This is one of his lighting designs in the Piet Hein Eek building. It is great to see that the building includes a small workshop where the products are made and lots of spaces for other small design-related companies.
Pieke Bergmans
‘Phenomenon’ is a series of blue neon lights in varying widths and unexpected shapes created by designer Pieke Bergmans. A design that you can’t miss.
Nel X Aectual
A series of room dividers as a result of a design collaboration between House of DUS and Roos Michiel Wijnen. The graphical and transparent room dividers are made of plant-based plastic that is entirely recyclable into newly printed products. The material looks like printed paper.
The Butterfly Effect
This is currently still a conceptual design for a landscape design challenge. Very curious to see where this is heading. A proposal to stretch a treetop-level web over a Dutch motorway. The Butterfly Effect would reduce the disruptive air currents produced by cars and help insects to travel across the road.
Conclusion: DDW is always worth a visit. Next year, I will be back for sure.
