Dutch Design Design Week (DDW) is the premier annual event where innovation and creativity come together. During this week, you can fully immerse yourself in the world of Dutch Design, featuring the work of both up-and-coming and established Designers. From October 19 through 27, 2024, Eindhoven will transform into a city filled with inspiring exhibitions, lectures, and events. It’s practically impossible to see everything, but with some good preparation, you can make the most of your visit. Read this blog—it’s packed with useful tips and fun facts.
Text: Daniëlle van de Haterd(Staaldraad Tekstschrijver) & Anieke Branderhorst.
Photography: Vij5, Max Kneefel, Jella Lena van Eck, Britt Roelse, Nick Bookelaar, Tommy Köhlbrugge and Blickfänger.
Dutch Design Week 2024 Theme: Real Unreal
The 2024 theme,“Real Unreal,”explores the question of what we consider to be reality and how Designers offer new perspectives by to question these realities. by Through imagination and collective knowledge, Designers help us make the impossible imaginable. DDW 2024 celebrates the power of design and challenges visitors to look beyond what they think they know. From smart innovations to bizarre, beautiful, and hopeful creations—the future becomes tangible here. Step into a world full of new possibilities, where change is real, and discover how design can shape the future.
What can you expect from Vij5?
The theme of “ Dutch Design ” Week aligns perfectly with the philosophy of Vij5: Design that inspire, surprise, and connect. During the week, Vij5 will once again open its doors for an exclusive preview of new products. The exhibition“Introducing Tomorrow: Preview of New Vij5 Products”can be found in our workshop on Hallenweg in Eindhoven, and this year we’re introducing visitors to six new and four updated Design, which will soon be part of our collection. These Design are the result of experiments with colored linseed oil on different types of wood, yielding surprising finishes and textures. Each piece tells its own story and combines craftsmanship with contemporary design elements.
Your feedback can help us make the final touches before the products are officially launched. Get inspired by our new designs and share your thoughts with us during DDW! This is the chance to experience the future of interior design before the products are officially launched.
Get ready for “ Dutch Design ” Week 2024 and take advantage of our “ Vij5 ” tips.
Arjan & Anieke, founders of Vij5
Helpful tips for planning your visit to Dutch Design Week 2024
To make sure your visit to “ Dutch Design ” Week goes as smoothly as possible this year, we’ve put together a few practical tips for you. These will not only help you get the most out of your visit, but also ensure you don’t miss out on anything! From planning your route to the best transportation options, below you’ll find everything you need to immerse yourself in the world of design.
#1: Make a plan
#2: DDW is a big event—arrange transportation
#3: Book at least two days
#4: Make a reservation at a restaurant
#5: Do NOT start at a large venue
#1 Check out the DDW program and make a plan
When you visit Design Dutch Design s Week, you’ll naturally want to make the most of your day. Find out in advance what there is to see and experience, and make a plan. You can find the full program on the DDW web website . For example, you can search by location or discipline. If you create an account and mark your favorites with a heart, they’ll appear in a handy list in your “My DDW” account. Having trouble deciding? It’s also fun to follow a DDW route. You’ll experience a little bit of everything, from the work of talented young Designers to the latest technical innovations.
Pro tip: Looking for an unfiltered overview of Dutch Design Week? Then visit www.designweekmap.com! This platform helps you easily explore Design Week in a clear and effortless way, so you can choose for yourself where you want to go and what you want to discover.
#2 DDW is a big event; arrange transportation
DDW has grown into a major event and takes place throughout Eindhoven, spread o by ; the venues are not all within walking distance of one another. If you want to visit exhibitions at more than one location, be sure to plan ahead on how you’ll get from A to B.
- If the weather cooperates a bit, a bike is a great option. If you can’t bring your own, rent one at Ketelhuisplein or Fuutlaan. In that case, be sure to arrive early, because bikes are often no longer available later in the day.
- With a DDW wristband, you can use the XPENG Design Rides, a convenient service that takes you to and from all official DDW locations. These electric cars run daily between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and have fixed stops at locations including Ketelhuisplein, Piet Hein Eek, and Sectie-C. You can also order an XPENG Design Ride from smaller locations, such as Hallenweg, by vis by r calling 040 218 00 00. Please note: Unfortunately, you cannot ride along without a DDW wristband.
DDW bikes are available for rent at Adams Bike Rental on Ketelhuisplein or Fuutlaan, daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
OV-fietsen bicycles are available for rent from the secure bike racks on the north and south sides of Eindhoven Central Station and from a pop-up location inside the station itself.
Please note: You need a free OV-fiets subscription to rent an OV-fiets. Visit the NS web website for more information about renting an OV-fiets.
We recommend setting aside at least one extra day in your schedule!
#3 Set aside at least two days for your visit to DDW 2024
The previous two points have already made it clear; the program of Dutch Design Week is so extensive and diverse that you can't really contain it all in one day. So reserve at least one extra day in your calendar. This way you can make sure you can take your time for the exhibitions and activities of your choice. The idea is not for you to become overwhelmed by DDW, but rather enriched and inspired. Create a sense of calm to pause and feel the underlying thought.
DDW is visited by by people from all over the Netherlands and beyond. If you don’t live nearby, why not stay the night? Eindhoven offers a variety of great hotels and other lodging options. Be sure to book early, because before you know it, everything will be fully booked.
If you'd like to stay in the design atmosphere, check availability at:
#4 Make a restaurant reservation
The fact is, you’ll be keeping yourself busy all day long during DDW 2024. You’ve put together a wonderful itinerary that takes you to all your favorite exhibitions, and by the end of the day, you’ll be tired, satisfied, and… hungry. So many impressions, so much to think about. All you want to do is plop down somewhere and grab a bite to eat. You’re not the only one— Dutch Design Week attracts an estimated 350,000 visitors. So reserving a table at a restaurant in Eindhoven is definitely not a luxury.
A delicious meal is the perfect way to end a busy DDW day—and a great way to unwind after taking in all those new experiences. Of course, it’s especially nice to soak up the DDW atmosphere a little longer while you enjoy your meal. At the restaurant/bar“De Kazerne,” you’re guaranteed just that!
Pro tip: Are you looking for a truly unique and intimate dining experience? During DDW'24, Vaderland will serve full-length dinners in the church of Atelier NL. This dinner invites you to taste the essence of the fertile soil on which Fatherland thrives. Each dish is a work of art and tells the story of nature's cycle. The menu is prepared by Chef Joep with homegrown ingredients.
#5 DO NOT start DDW 2024 at a large venue
Your “ Dutch Design ” Week is about to begin, and you’ve marked the exhibitions you want to visit, arranged transportation, made a restaurant reservation, and perhaps even booked a place to stay. You definitely want to see and experience as much as possible, so it makes sense to start at a major venue.
And exactly for this... we want to warn you. Don't do it!
Before you know it, a large part of the day will have passed, and you’ll actually have only a very limited impression of DDW, even though there’s so much more to see… You might prefer to start your day at an off-site location, such as Hallenweg, and then visit the larger, busier venues later on without having to rush. Take your time, keep your eyes and ears open, and you’ll naturally stumble upon the real gems.
TIP: There are a number of DDW venues that will definitely take a lot of time to visit, so it’s best not to try to fit them all into a single day. Here are a few to keep in mind when planning your day: the Van Abbemuseum, the Design Academy Graduation Show, Sectie-C, and Stijp-S.
Visit Vij5 during DDW 2024
Hopefully after reading this blog you are all set for an inspiring week full of design. Don't forget to visit our exhibition Introducing Tomorrow: Preview of New Vij5 Products for an exclusive preview of our new designs!
We think it's important to showcase our products early so we can take your feedback. Stop by, share your thoughts and be surprised by innovative designs by various designers, including Isabel Quiroga, Studio Thier & van Daalen, Jeroen Wand, Tjalko Lokhorst, KellerFreyschmidt, Hanne Willmann, Marc Th. van der Voorn, Daphna Laurens and Floris Hovers. We look forward to welcoming you to our workshop at Hallenweg during Dutch Design Week 2024! Will we see you there?
On display during DDW, but already available!
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Angled Cabinet | Designer display cabinet with glass panels in ash woodPrijsklasse: € 1.695,00 tot € 1.995,00