An Introduction to Dutch Design Week

Each October, the Dutch Design Week takes place in Eindhoven—a city in the north Brabant region of the Netherlands. One of Europe’s biggest design events, the festival includes over 2,500 designers and welcomes international and regional visitors for a series of exhibitions, debates, lectures and other special events.

At the Dutch Design Week, you’ll find thousands of experimental and futuristic designs. Stumbling through the main exhibition areas, there are presentations on robotics, on futuristic cities, on furniture, food, art and everything in between. (And more than a few things that you can’t even imagine because they’re so out-of-this-world.)

With over 400 events planned at this year’s Dutch Design Week, the whole thing can be overwhelming. Each year, the DDW takes on a particular theme (2017: “Stretch”) which encourages both participants at the event and the public to break out of their comfort zone. A lot of the designs and exhibitions…