Design Directions 2026
October Vision 2024 update
Design Ethos
This Design Directions report is inspired by recent design events, including the London Design Festival 2024 and Dutch Design Week. The urgency of addressing climate and the need for social change were important signals of change in the design landscape. There was a commitment among young designers to push for alternative systems that prioritize environmental responsibility and non-extractive material use. Many projects focused on social innovation, and despite political challenges, this spirit of innovation suggests that a new design ethos is on the horizon.
Another key element of Vision 2026’s design evolution is a rethinking of materiality in the context of the digital age. As our world increasingly becomes digital, designers are humanizing our environment by creating products that resonate emotionally and physically. Novel and abstract objects that constantly change invite viewers to look twice. Playful elements, unexpected shapes and material use inspire curiosity and delight in our everyday surroundings.
The design directions reflect an evolution that embraces both continuity and fast change. The concepts invite us to look back as a means of moving forward. By analysing the qualities of past designs that are still relevant today, future-forward products can be created. The result is a design philosophy that balances tradition with innovation, ensuring that as we move towards 2026, design meets the demands of the future and is grounded in the legacy of the past.
Top image, City by Phloem by Studio Daniel Canogar
Image Right, Temple of Peace during DDW2024; each flag was created by a design graduate together with a current or former refugee
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1/ Techno-natural Symbiosis
A life explored
Natural ecosystems
Biosourced materials
Techno-natural symbiosis bridges the gap between the human world and the more-than-human, encompassing nature’s non-human intelligence and agencies. It emphasizes material translations that bring to life the knowledge embedded in the ancient languages and evolutionary relationships between humans, technology and plants, expanding our imagination and perception of these connections.
Recent findings in plant communication reveal that plants and trees constantly interact, forming intricate life networks. Techno-natural Symbiosis explores this flow of life on Earth, spotlighting regeneration as a natural, cyclical process vital to all creation. This direction is rooted in climate urgency and a shared respect for our natural environment. Inspired by biomimicry, regenerative design, and adaptive technology, Techno-natural Symbiosis seeks to emulate natural processes, reducing environmental impact and promoting resilience.
Right, Images to Worlds by Flavie Liu
A life explored
Ultra slow cycles
Clothing becomes part of a dynamic, living ecosystem that evolves harmoniously with nature; the current pace of clothing changes to an ultra-slow cycle based on long-lasting, sustainable pieces. Garments are grown from living materials or made to last a lifetime. Clothes are practical, sportswear- and outdoor-inspired. Protection, durability, adaptability, and repairability form the basis for these garments.
Left to right, Photo by Olivia Arthur, Green home fermentor by Qinxiao Wu, The Gore-tex road show by Beinghunted, Populus hotel by Studio Gang, E.p.H Collection 1, constant state of repair by Ellen Poppy, Outdoor apparel by Roah hiking, Summer school by STORE Projects, supported by the Bartlett Widening Participation team and B__made workshops, The Future Food Formula interactive installation by Chloé Rutzerveld, Next Nature museum
Holistic wellbeing
The environment feels like a protective cocoon on a micro and macro level. In product design, it is an integration of how things feel and the sensory connection.
The holistic well-being of people and the Earth is important with rituals such as natural saunas, plant-based remedies, and home fermentation of food. High-tech farming techniques and personalized approaches to food provide a better balance and knowledge for people and their nutrition.
Natural ecosystems
Regenerative Design
Products are based on the workings of nature, and architectural forms and structures are organic and flexible, inspired by the adaptability of natural ecosystems. By observing natural processes, designers can find sustainable solutions based on regenerative design, prioritising returning materials to the environment. Spaces promote coexistence with plants, turning human habitats into vibrant ecosystems that improve well-being and encourage biodiversity.
Left to right, Populus Hotel by Studio Gang, Lamp Corpus Maris II by Julia Lohmann, My Powerbank by Luke Talbot, One River North apartment block by MAD Architects, The Mutti Canteen by Carlo Ratti, Biomatter Submersion by Sophie Mei Birkin, Timeless is More by Robert Bronwasser
Last a lifetime
This design direction reimagines the multifunctionality of everyday products, transforming how we use them. A car can power a home and vice versa, and a jacket can function as a sleeping bag. Sustainable alternatives like electric bikes and scooters replace traditional vehicles.
For a more sustainable future, products should be designed to last a lifetime, calling for a redesign of daily essentials into new archetypes that are easy to repair, adapt, and upgrade to meet our changing needs. These products should also be sources of joy and satisfaction, encouraging people to cherish and keep them for life.
Biosourced Materials
Natural rhythm
In the direction of Techno-Natural Symbiosis design, materials reflect and support the cycles of nature: maturation, growth, and biodegradation, which reflect the natural rhythms of life. This approach emphasizes circularity and ensures that products have a positive impact on the environment throughout their life cycle. Designers explore bio-sourced materials, biocomposites and living materials that can evolve over time, along with conductive biomaterials that respond to heat and wear, creating textures that change with use.
Left to right, Greening Interior Spaces by Oscar Tomico, Liriodendron leaf boxes with Eucalyptus stitches, Plant Sculpture by Cynthia Fan, Ceramics workshop at Grymsdyke Farm, Textured shirt from Satta, Roah Hiking collection, Seaweed research by Jessie von Curry, Burberry window display in London, Biodiversity Island by Formafantasma, MushLume Lighting by Danielle Trofe
Renewable materials
The materials draw inspiration from natural sources. Seaweed, known as the “ancestor of all plants,” is used for its rich history and unique properties, along with kelp and abaca fibres. The use of natural, renewable raw materials, energy-efficient methods and low-impact adhesives minimize waste and maximize the use of residual materials.
Designers conceptualize a plant-based language in their work, aiming to deepen humanity’s relationship with the ecosystem and foster an appreciation for interspecies collaboration.
2/ Fluid Heritage
New connections
Colourful expressions
Storytelling through materials
Fluid Heritage is a dynamic and expressive design approach that bridges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary cultural narratives. This direction combines ancient techniques with symbols once rooted in beliefs, rituals, and social hierarchies, reimagining them in a new, intercultural context. It explores what happens when age-old crafts encounter innovation, resulting in objects that blend diverse cultural symbols and motifs, celebrating diasporic influences. The story considers cultural relevance from a fresh perspective, embracing the fusion of techniques that have travelled across borders and histories, creating bold, new narratives.
Uniqueness and identity are central to Fluid Heritage. These tactile pieces draw inspiration from the past while embracing the present and moving into a new future. They reflect a convergence of old and new, forging cultural narratives that mirror the intricate layers of today’s interconnected world. This blend of past and present within Fluid Heritage encourages a deeper engagement with tradition while also celebrating transformation and the complexity of modern identity.
Right, photo by Karabo Poppy Moletsane
New connections
Carriers of culture
Textiles have been storytellers in human history, shaping economies, cultures, and social structures for centuries. Textile capture the values, beliefs, and identities of the cultures that created them, reflecting humanity’s creativity, diversity, and rich cultural heritage. Textiles tell stories about who we are and where we come from. They can connect and honour cultural heritage while creating new combinations. In Fluid Heritage, textile stories are reimagined, and historical references and cultural influences are mixed in new, unexpected ways.
Left to right, Outfit by Chopova Lowena, John Lewis x Collagerie collaboration, cotton jacket by Stem, picture by Jehu Iyema, silver coupes by Gohar World, Maridenim collection by Marimekko, image by Gohar World, Piece of Culture by Margarita Ivaylova Rangelova
Identity
Fluid Heritage is about blending tradition with modernity to create contemporary objects. Ancient techniques are revived, and new materials and ways of making are explored to bring fresh life to age-old crafts. Products are turned inside out or left with visible seams, celebrating their identity through construction and decoration. References to different symbols, rituals, and cultural motifs are mixed, creating a layered narrative that invites users to explore and interpret each unique piece.
Colourful expressions
Bi-colour
The Fluid Heritage design direction embraces bold patterns and vivid colours to create objects with a strong visual impact. Bi-colour stripes, flag symbols, and colour blocks define the borders of each piece, giving them a clear, structured form and sometimes function. Colours are used in unexpected combinations and placements, recolouring familiar objects to shift their context and evoke fresh interpretations.
Left to right, Puffy Lounge and Sofa by Hem, Berlin Penthouse by Studio Bosko, Hawthorn cottage by Rosanna Ceravolo, artwork for NYC basketball court by Na Chainkua Reindorf together with Glossier, Nex Playground by Nex and Skyworth Digital, Vintage stripe coverlet by Morrow, Colourful banners chart the sun inside Battersea Power Station, ‘Together We Rise’ by POoR Collective, Casamilc by Lucas and Hernández-Gil
Sportswear inspired
Fluid Heritage draws inspiration from sportswear, infusing each piece with vibrant energy. Bold colours and graphic patterns echo the dynamic stripes and colour-blocked motifs typical of athletic wear and club shirts. The use of ripcord fabrics and nostalgic, familiar stripes adds a nostalgic flair, embracing a vintage, second-hand aesthetic by repurposing existing objects and materials.
Storytelling through materials
Weaving
Fluid Heritage materials are made through traditional techniques like weaving and loom work. They show the beauty of raw, unfinished forms. Connecting threads and weaving patterns form textured structures that symbolise the connections between cultures, histories, and artisans. Fringes and unfinished edges symbolise a never-finished process. Fluid Heritage prioritizes sustainable practices by repurposing existing materials and adding layers that carry the past into the present.
Left to right, Weaving sample by Sarah Brunn, Weeef blanket by Kiki van Eijk, Welded loop by Knit in Motion and Studio Joris de Groot, Casamilc by Lucas and Hernández-Gil, RE-GLOW, Next Level by Studio Rens and Corunum Ceramics, Berlin Penthouse Renovation by Studio Bosko, Basketball design by David Carson, Super Limbo by Limbo Accra
Imperfections
In Fluid Heritage, materials become storytellers; techniques have found a new cultural context. Objects are decorated with illustrations that blend elements of culture, history, and craftsmanship, creating both familiar and novel expressions. The materials are warm or structured, inviting touch and exploration. Rather than concealing imperfections, Fluid Heritage celebrates them. Each material and object reflects the artistry and narrative woven into its design.
3/Polymorphic
Expressing humanity
Balancing
Fluidity
Design can play an important role in bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds. The Polymorphic design direction addresses the tension between constant digital connection and connection to human emotions. By designing experiences and products that foster real-world interactions and support mental well-being, Polymorphic calls for a digital landscape more attuned to human needs with adaptable, inclusive, and mindful digital spaces that prioritize connection, grounding, and personal growth.
The essence of Polymorphic design lies in acknowledging humans as four-dimensional beings who thrive on varied, multi-sensory experiences. By creating spaces where digital and physical boundaries blur, designers can enable richer, more meaningful interactions that evoke emotions, spark memories, and inspire real conversations. By prioritizing physical experiences that encourage introspection and personal decision-making, Polymorphic design offers a pathway for reconnecting with the self amid a fast-paced, digital-first world.
Right, Spectrum by 2LG Studio
Expressing humanity
Abstract thinking
Polymorphic design focuses on exploring and expressing humanity in an increasingly digital world. Polymorphic as a concept is constantly moving and changing shape, seeking to apply the endless possibilities of the digital world to the physical world. Abstract thinking, letting go of familiar forms and ways, and the role of art is essential in this design direction.
Organic and supportive shapes offer a sense of warmth and comfort that cocoon and center the body, the knitted materials are soft, comfortable and flexible. The design elements focus on a deeper connection with yourself, other people and the products surrounding you.
Left to right, The Do lectures gathering by David and Claire Hieatt, picture by Jehu Iyema, ceramics by Haejune Hwang, sculpture by Vic Right, Mixing Typologies by Creative Chef Studio, Image by Tashine, Attached, digital youth photo series by Gemeente Amsterdam, photo by Maria Bodi, It’s in our nature ceramics by Madison van Gelder
Calming the mind
The play of two- and three-dimensional surfaces and layered and stacked or embracing forms conveys the idea of connection and life, of everything fitting together as parts of a whole. Inspired by sunlight and a play with the spectrum of colours, Polymorphic design uses light and colour play to emphasize well-being. Subtly shifting colour effects aim to calm the human mind.
Polymorphic design champions a vision of technology that is genuinely human, centring both individual well-being and a shared sense of empathy and warmth in the digital age.
Balancing
Sensory-responsive design
Polymorphic calming design concepts introduce flexible, adaptive forms that intuitively support our well-being. In a world saturated with constant stimuli, such products help regulate breathing, often using subtle rhythms or biofeedback to guide users toward calmness and presence.
Through polymorphic and sensory-responsive design, these products pave the way for a renewed, future-ready mental state, where relaxation and focused attention are reclaimed as essential resources for a balanced life.
Left to right, chair by Ross Hansen, ‘100 Random’ lighting by Omer Arbel, DIY flashlight by Ambessa, designed by Pentagram, Stemmenhoorders by Studio Corvers Un-hide, interactive seating series by Modular by Mensah, makeup and earring by Dior, Flow, immersive healing art by Studio Inneract, light in motion by Acrylicize.
Non-physical elements
Polymorphic’s products are the result of experimenting with new processes, shapes and materials. Some creations stimulate thought and engagement; non-physical elements such as sound and smell add to the experience. Intangible elements such as light and colour effects play a central role in the concepts, acting as both medium and subject, adding depth and dimension to the objects. Designers create unusual textures and shapes, products, materials, and surfaces that are either super smooth or tactile with a sense of depth.
Fluidity
Dimensionality
The materials for Polymorphic materials are both natural and digital, and smooth, 3D printed structures merge with organic textures and reflective surfaces. Pleating effects, achieved through physical folding create a sense of dimensionality, enhanced by colour gradients.
Light and reflection can be seen as a design material in Polymorphic. The transparency and reflection of glass create illusions of natural materials such as marble.
Left to right, material by fab.pub, It’s in our nature ceramics by Madison van Gelder, Bulla wall light by Studio Thier & van Daalen, True Nature by Marius Troy, wool lamp by Maria Abando Olaran, glass object by Hanna Hansdotter, Foot side table with drawer by Project 213A, Dawn Lorels by Malou Beemer
Playfulness
Soft, tactile materials such as wool and clay contribute to the human touch, warmth and depth bring a grounded, organic feel. Handcrafted elements and visible irregularities enhance this effect. The materials, techniques and playful shapes used create an optical illusion playing with colour, depth and perception.
4/ The Idea of Permanence
Space exploration
Iconic pieces
Digital sculpting
The Idea of Permanence in design is about embracing the transience and adaptability of life and time. Rather than viewing life as fixed or time as linear, this design concept suggests we design with responsiveness and fluidity, designing for the future while honouring the earth’s long, cyclical history. It encourages an awareness that human life is just a brief part of a much larger timeline, stretching from early oceanic life to present-day impacts like plastic pollution.
In design, this means creating structures that aren’t meant to last forever in the traditional sense but are adaptable and responsive to changing needs and environments. It’s about weaving together memories and moments, connecting past and future, and embracing the beauty of ongoing cycles and transformation. By capturing fleeting moments and connecting the past and future, this design philosophy suggests a human experience shaped by impermanence, where adaptability becomes the vessel through which design evolves.
Right, Kalpa 2023 video installation by Asif Khan Studio
Space exploration
Dystopian
The Idea of Permanence finds inspiration in leaving the Earth behind and space exploration. It has a dystopian aspect as if the end of our time on Earth is near. It explores the complexities and consequences of time travel and challenges our understanding of time, causality, and the creation of the Universe. The present is already the past at the same time.
The products play with the idea of having limited space in the universe, and the use of mass, playing with weight and weightlessness. Shapes resemble observations of the Earth from space, and observatories from a great distance view the entire Earth and its systems.
Left to right, Haven-1, interior design concept for a speculative long-term space station by Vast, painting by Ume Dahlia, visual experiment enhancing photo with AI by Maria Bodil and Kilian Vos, 14p extremely heavy portable lamp by Bocci, Rieko Withfield performance for CLUB CHIMÆRA, L.A. Studio shots of Studio Daniel Canogar, tear to wear collection by Matti Paffen, Planetesimal by Star Holden
Zoom out
The overview effect is a cognitive shift that affects some astronauts when they see the Earth from space is what the design concepts of The Idea of Impermanence try to achieve. The astronauts no longer identify with a specific nationality or culture after seeing the Earth from space. Instead, they see themselves and all citizens of the Earth as one living in one world.
Through design, this concept seeks to capture that sense of unity and impermanence. Shapes range from basic forms like circles and cylinders to complex objects, showcasing her journey to gain fluency in digital design.
Iconic pieces
Simplicity and relevance
Heading to the future, we explore design across past timelines to observe designs that have endured and proven to be essential in our daily lives while remaining relevant over decades. Moving into a different future with constrained resources, we can analyse these icons for design principles in the future. This means prioritizing simplicity, enhancing function over excess, and leaning on modular, reparable, or multi-functional designs that remain over time.
Left to right, redesign of the Renault R17 electric restomod, performance by Lulu Wangyx and Yanki Yau, autonomous multi-person scooter platform by OMI, light touch, turnable by John Tree and Neal Feay for the Blond design Laboratory exhibition, Rowac-Schemel Model I by Karl Robert Wagner, 1909, redesign of the Renault R17 electric restomod, 100 per cent recyclable aluminium bench for Hydro by Lars Beller Fjetland, BLOND LABORATORY exhibition, displays an election of artefacts from BLOND’s archive of over 200 objects.
The archive
Brands are tapping into their archives, reviving the best of their collections to resonate with a new era. Curating these iconic pieces for the future requires a conscious shift, preserving what aligns with lasting value, simplicity, and adaptability to shifting needs. While envisioning new icons for the future, we need to consider how our surroundings will change; future environments will likely favour compact, sustainable, and efficient designs due to urban density and environmental demands.
Good design will be defined not just by beauty or function but by the ability to live harmoniously in diverse, ever-evolving spaces while conserving limited resources. Its timelessness will determine if it deserves a spot in the archive of the future.
Digital sculpting
Aluminium
Aluminium is an essential material for the future, and the energy transition towards low-carbon energy sources, and its demand will grow massively by 2050. This metal will be a privileged ally in vehicles, creating electrical infrastructure, solar panels, and wind turbines.
Carving makes materials interesting, transforming flat surfaces into three-dimensional digital artefacts. Digital sculpting and 3D printing bring these objects to life, combining technology with tactile creativity.
Left to right, Anthropogenic Cloud by Cyan, Brutalista by Marc Meeuwissen, Tube tables by Tim Teven Studio, Sun lens in resin by Duncan Carter, Aluminum CNCed furniture and lighting collection by HAHA design studio, Time paradox installation by Yuki Kimura, Zero-Weaving by Sarah Brunn, installation by Flavie Liu
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Journey through time
This concept embodies a journey through time, where the materials are pure and industrial manufacturing methods, hand in hand with human ingenuity and creativity, create iconic shapes. The embrace of simplicity directs the design process, encouraging creative exploration within a focused framework. By using single materials like metal, stone, or wood, limitations streamline design choices, products are exposed in their most honest, unembellished form.