Dutch Design Week 2023
Harmony and balance
The Dutch Design Week 2023 theme “Picture This” envisions a future shaped by creativity, regeneration and fusing local thinking with global awareness. Rather than backing unsustainable models of depletion and consumption, design can be a tool for reciprocity between humans and the planet. Regeneration is the first direction that combines ancient wisdom with modern ecological knowledge to promote environmental regeneration. This is about more than design; it’s about creating an economy, cultural resonance and sustainability, looking back to move forward in coexistence with nature.
The second direction, data classification, explores technology and AI as a tool for creativity and connection, not just efficiency. Biases in data and AI classification can lead to unfair and discriminatory outcomes. Our relationship with technology is changing to a more natural and intuitive interaction.
In the third direction, Sensitivity, sound and sensory stimulation are explored, which enhances our experience and can evoke deep emotions and healing. This tactile and sensory approach goes beyond aesthetics, fostering subtle connections between us and the energy of an object or installation. Design becomes a force for change, expression and healing, challenging inequalities and envisioning a more equitable future.
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Flock Wobot by Christie Meindertsma, a robot that makes it possible to build with wool in 3D
1/Regeneration
A regenerative approach prioritizes the health and regeneration of the soil and fosters economies centred around sustainable materials, their creation, and maintenance. It is a call to action for an industry transformation that nurtures the planet and reimagines fashion as a force for positive ecological change.
Right, The Healing Lace by Katarina Knight is a textile artefact that reimagines ancient hand-making techniques and the conscious time spent making it.
Symbiocene
Symbiotic methodologies are actively regenerative, fostering harmonious coexistence with the natural world and helping to restore and preserve the planet’s ecosystems.
New materials originate from nature and can also be absorbed by nature. Symbiocene is about building a hopeful future on a stressed planet through natural technologies and a deep symbiosis with nature.
Left to right, top to bottom, The Popping Sound of Bubble Wrap by Ilaria Cavaglia draws inspiration from the grotto aesthetic to blur the line between the organic and the synthetic, Symbiotic Generation by Flavie Liu asks when humans use AI-generated images as inspiration in the creative process, are humans using AI as a tool, or are humans being used as a tool in AI’s creative process?, Bacterial Dye Machine by Charlotte Werth explores the process of bacteria dyeing through automation, Rapid Foot Evolutions by Kristiyan Hristov looks at animal paws and feet as an evolution of the shape of human shoes, Eames Shell Chair DSW by Norman Monsanto a new vision on design classics using denim waste, Soil tile by Omlab a slope tile created from 98% residual streams from sewage and drinking water treatment, Mycelium printing by Tjeerd van Veenhoven printer can place minute inoculated substrate on specific places to grow mycelium
The power of water
These installations and designs at DDW 2023 emphasised how water is a vital and precious resource in times of drought and scarcity.
Water connects to deep evolutionary traits in humans, attracting our attention and signalling sustenance and life. Water can be an immense force in nature in floods and rainfall but can also be gentle, calming and meditative.
Left to right, top to bottom, Flow by Dutch Invertuals is a collaborative project around the flow of water to reconnect people with the physical reality, The Mandarin in the Room by Bela Bezold is a visualisation of a poetic dream about water, Fluid Frequency by Catherine van Bijnen creates textures by using sound frequencies and water, Change by Emilija Globyte is an object of relief copper that represents a fluid form, Capturing Qi by Yooji Chung explores water as a source of energy, Flow by Dutch Invertuals, Sea Yourself at Home by Petris Zilbers disrupts the traditional functioning of a kitchen to reveal the consequences of our food consumption and the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in water
Mystical craft
Attention to cultural knowledge, folklore, and craft explores the heritage and wisdom embedded in traditional practices. Pre-industrial wisdom teaches important lessons about living sustainably and in balance with nature.
The folk spirits of nature are woven into stories and art, symbolizing the mystical connection between the natural world and human creativity and making.
Left to right, top to bottom, Agricultural Beast by Yasmin Knussel is an oversized dandelion sculpture that denounces the destructiveness of the current agricultural system, which allows only a few species to thrive, Our Beloved and Sacred Sun by Adam Bialek is about ancient sunworship and an ode to life, hat would life be without light, without the sun? Subjects of Change by Joelle Wagteveld and Marleen van der Eerden is a textile object about ancestral connection and slavery, Everyday Paradise co-curated by Lili Tedde and Lidewij Edelkoort is a collection of craft objects preserving and celebrating heritage which encapsulates the joy, resilience, and diverse beauty of the Brazilian cultural landscape and people, Monster Under the Bed by Clemens Tomlow is a collection of costumes inspired by stories about monsters and celebrating the acceptance of otherness, The Mutuba Spirit by Michelle Akiki Jonker is a mask made of bark cloth, a traditional textile from Uganda, revives the fabrication technique and its pre-colonial heritage, Orphanage of Meanings by Sonia Gorecka is a project that seeks to reacquaint us with lost and found motifs and symbols, picked from old books with depictions of Slavic folklore
Earth borders
Climate migration forces us to think differently about borders, finding ways to ensure security and cultural integrity while promoting global cooperation and understanding.
While borderless technology and global connectivity expand our reach, local in-depth knowledge is needed to address the needs of the communities and adapt to the specifics of nature and the land.
Left to right, top to bottom, License to Forget by Valentine Scherer is a short film exploring the complex realities of the idea of ownership of the territory of a coal mine in Germany, North Sea Orchestra by Annelie Dalglish is a collection of seven ceramic flutes representing the seven North Sea maritime zones, and how their conflicting interests need to come together like an orchestra, Melting Heart by Diewke van den Heuvel is a poetic ode and a way to mourn the loss of glaciers, Voices from the Frontlines by Clever Frannke is raising awareness of climate forced migration in Africa and the action needed, Possible Landscapes by Omlab is a research project into the regenerative rural and urban landscapes of today and tomorrow, Cruise Erosion by Pauline Lightburne is mapping mass tourism and pollution caused by the cruise industry in the Mediterranean, The Ideal 10HA landscape by Bram de Vos focuses on creating a 10-hectare ideal productive landscape, incorporating insights from ecologists, farmers, consumers, municipalities, and pioneers to shape a collective vision of optimal agriculture
2/Data classification
AI algorithms process vast amounts of information, both visual and in text, providing insights that were previously unattainable. Accurate data categorization with respect for privacy, diversity, and inclusivity is a complex challenge, an issue that was addressed at DDW 2023.
Right, The project, Why Do We All Drink From Cylinders? by Thea Brochard shows how classification, standards and archetypes impact human habits and behaviors.
AI + human
Human intuition meets machine intelligence. AI assistants designed with empathetic capabilities trigger human emotions, deepening the bond between technology and its users.
AI is a socio-technical system, what the algorithm learns as ground truth can be discriminatory and unfair, missing many perspectives.
Left to right, top to bottom, Bee Machine by Seungbee Han is an AI that sees if you are a compatible friend for Seungbee, (A)I Designed a Chair by Juul van den Heuvel is the result of a symbiotic design process, Ensnared Identity by Yawe Chong is an interactive video installation that demonstrates the influence that algorithms have on shaping people’s identity, Bee Machine by Seungbee Han, Why Do We All Drink From Cylinders? by Thea Brochard, Staring at Empty Spaces by Lea Wurthmann explores the process behind the historical Hubble Deep Field image consisting of 342 separate photos, Court for Intergenerational Climate Crimes by Jonas Staal and Radha D’Souza maps and tracks intergenerational climate crimes
Connectivity
Technology is redefining our perception of space and community. DDW 2023 projects related to connectivity reimagined interaction, collaboration, and community building.
Elements central to gaming, like novelty, surprise, interactivity, streaming, and sensory engagement, create more engaging and immersive experiences.
Top to bottom, Machine by Myrna de Bruijn is an installation that reflects how metaphors mediate the entangled internet, Soft Energy Box by Beam Contrechoc is a jacket containing soft energy to generate small amounts of energy yourself, When it Comes Out by Jiheon Chae is designed to blur the boundaries between URL and IRL realities in the form of a set of tableware, Inside the Surface by Azusamatsu Kubo is a collection of damaged screens encourages appreciating the complex materiality that makes digital content consumption possible, Just a Korean Feminist Tiktoker by Jiyun Lee a series of short videos questions the gap between online depiction and reality of feminism in South Korea, Mixed Racer by Jonah Attalla is a short sci-fi film that imagines a mixed-race utopia, Dosed by Thibaud Henique explores digital facial expressions
Control
How we control our devices is evolving towards an era of increased autonomy and intuition, towards more subtle and natural forms of communication.
Our devices will not only understand our commands but also our habits, preferences and emotions, leading to a more symbiotic relationship between humans and technology influencing eachother.
Left to right, top to bottom, Robots by TU Eindhoven, Assistive Device by Soul Ahn are ergonomic computer mouses designed in response to the challenges faced by individuals with disrupted mobility, Fidgets by Bart van Nes celebrate the act of fidgeting, Soft Circuits by Katrie van Riet is a system of soft components that enables the creation and teaching of fluidic circuits in a soft robotics context, Pebbles breathing guide by Glimp helps people to become stress-resilient, through the healthy habit of conscious breathing, CURA hospital robot by TU Eindhoven, Third Tumb by Dani Clode is a 3D-printed thumb extension for your hand, controlled by your toes
3/ Sensitivity
The sense of hearing music and sounds, is important for our emotional well-being, cognitive function, social bonding, and cultural engagement. It influences our brain activity and when sound is synchronized with visual elements and light, it adds depth and dimension, creating a more holistic and engaging experience.
Right, Chromatic Canvas by Dean Li connects his drawings to the music he plays on the piano, creating animated movements of his drawings.
Sound scapes
Sound bridges technology and nature, visualizing our internal rhythms like heartbeats and guiding our breathing. This interplay enhances experiences and creates a deeper awareness of the connection between humans, technology and nature.
Ambient intelligence and sound interactions will be used for learning, safety, navigation, entertainment, and physical and mental wellbeing.
Top to bottom, Heartsync by Nino Basilashvili uses the concept of heart synchronisation as a symbol and working mechanism for a deeper human connection, Tour de Controle by Lucien Nicou is an instrument to experiment sound, light and space in live performances, Water Flutes by Marte Mei are flutes to listen to the sounds of the water flowing, Sonic Driving by Laura Papke reimagines the purpose of technology, shifting our focus towards nurturing our collective spiritual well-being, Watery Reflection One: [Untitled installation] by United Cowboys is a sound system for silence, Flux by Ksawery Kirklewski is an interactive installation where viewers can interact with it through gestures and voice, The Plants Latorbio-sonification by Eros Risiglione is a planslator, an instrument to listen to plants
Sensing energy
People perceive objects and spaces with all senses. The more senses we engage, the more strongly we are tied to a moment, an object, a space.
Energy is perceived by our brains both consciously and unconsciously, it is not just a direct sensory response but also a psychological and emotional reaction influenced by past experiences, cultural context, and individual preferences.
Left to right, top to bottom, Scent-scape by Camille Moens impressions of tactile experience impressed in glass, Ceramic Touch by Janik M. Dietz argues that smart home technologies demand a more tactile material change, Untitled_23 by Puck Groot is a soft rubber cabinet that symbolizes vulnerability, making, the safety of home and about being a child, Breathing Light by Alissa + Nienke introduces moving spots of light that replicate the gentle rhythm of breathing, aiming to stimulate viewers to breath along and reduce their stress level, Keep the Fire Burning by Monika Litzinger is a digital interactive installation that can function as a fire to gather around, Scent and Memory by Kaori to Kioku connects traditional crafts with scent to trigger memories, Waking Up in the Future by Joana Coronel Soler & Iordanis Prodromou is a fungi alarm clock to envision a harmonious future where nature and humanity coexist on equal terms
Healing
Design can convey the emotional and psychological impact of inequality, giving voice to experiences that are often marginalized or overlooked.
Design can serve as a form of reflection, healing and emotional exploration. It can visualise the collective journey toward a more equitable society, offering a blend of hope, reflection, and a call to action.
Left to right, top to bottom, Lay Me Down by Mariko van Veen explores how curves tell a unique tale, a testament to the diversity and individuality that make us who we are, Dr Bathroom by Jiayuan Pu is a series of interventions that serve to recognise the bathroom as a sanctuary of privacy and self-care, inviting expanding its physiological purpose, White Lies by Jonah Attalla is a series of protest T-shirts express personal stories of being racially gaslit, in order to inspire political power and confidence in protesters, Beads by Rinske van den Heuvel is a playing field to connect beads while connecting with people by talking about fun and happiness, By For With Women by Johanna Denecke is a dialogue to unpack patriarchal and feminist influences on female sexual pleasure, Healing Emotion Archive by Lola Gonzales is a somatic healing practice combining body movement, drawing, and writing to help participants release emotions and tension
You can download the PDF version here