If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere right now, you’re likely savoring the final moments of autumn while gearing up for winter’s chilly embrace. If you live in the south of the equator, you might be soaking up the last dregs of spring, bracing for a warm summer. But no matter where you are, if you’re a design enthusiast, you’re probably tuned into Dutch Design Week (DDW), where the celebration of design knows no seasonal bounds.
Held annually in Eindhoven, Dutch Design Week is marking its 25th anniversary this year. Over the decades, DDW has been home to everything from wacky and sustainable large-scale installations to playful and socially minded objects. But one thing that hasn’t changed over the years, and numerous editions, is the event’s approach to design, which is bold, conceptual, and experimental. The 2025 edition continues this tradition, emphasizing future-focused, experimental, and socially engaged design over purely commercial products.
Wojciech, founder of JOJTEK atelier (a German woodworking studio) and a regular attendee at Dutch Design Week, praises the event’s approach. “What I have observed over the years, Dutch Design stands out through its openness and experimentation. It thrives on collaboration between craft, technology, and ideas, not just products,” he tells Homecrux. “It was always reaching toward sustainability and narrative-driven work, where makers turn process into meaning. This spirit influences global design by valuing honesty, story, and transformation over trends,” he adds.
Leah and Esther Wiesing of CortoMagDelft, a Münster-based design studio, also describe DDW as “playful and experimental” compared to other international design fairs. “It showcases diverse perspectives, from material research to social design,” the duo states. This philosophy is evident in their Holey Lamp on display at DDW 2025, which, according to the duo, “reflects their love for mesh structures and innovative approaches to everyday objects.”
CortoMagDelft founders further state that the event serves as a platform for questioning the very essence of design, offering “different kinds of views on both traditional and modern concepts and challenging designers to explore what design can achieve beyond aesthetics.”
These views tie well with those of the founders of Noord see Lights, Mick Simmering and Juliëtte Mohamed, who also see DDW as “conceptual and experimental focused.” Their 3D Printed Mist Pendant Lamp, showcased this year, symbolizes this experimental spirit. “It’s not just about beauty but about making a difference in the world,” Mick tells us.
Mehdi Mashayekhi, another exhibitor at Dutch Design Week, elaborates on this emotion, stating, “Dutch Design stands out for its conceptual depth and fearless experimentation.” Speaking to Homecrux, the designer points out how his creations merge social awareness with material innovation. This approach was evident in brands’ display at DDW 2025, where he showcased Face / collectible light objects, which, the designer says, “Blur the lines between art, craft, and industry, reflecting a shift toward sustainability, experimentation, and storytelling that influences global design trends.”
The studio also notes that “In recent years, Dutch designers have shifted from pure aesthetics toward processes that emphasize sustainability, experimentation and storytelling, influencing global design dialogues well beyond the Netherlands.” Thibault Philip, another exhibitor, seconds Mehdi Mashayekhi’s thoughts, stating, “The DDW shakes up conventions, showcasing avant-garde proposals that address contemporary challenges. This forward-thinking stance positions Dutch design as a global leader, inspiring designers to prioritize innovation and purpose,” he emphasizes.
From these opinions, it’s easy to conclude that the Dutch Design Week stands out for its fearless experimentation, playful energy, and commitment to sustainability and social impact. So, if you happen to see a crowd lined up outside 120 venues in Eindhoven, don’t be surprised because the Netherlands is on its way to becoming the most distinctive and coherent nation in design today.
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