Explore the Power of Design in an 11-Day Festival

Singapore Design Week (SDW) is set to return from September 26th to October 6th, 2024, with an 11-day celebration of Singapore’s unique brand of design and creativity. This year’s festival will traverse the city-state with a rich and thought-provoking program centered around the theme “People of Design.” As a media partner once again, NPO ADF (Aoyama Design Forum) is proud to support the Design Singapore Council in presenting Singapore Design Week (SDW) 2024.

The festival campaign was conceptualised by creative agency Kinetic Singapore and illustrated by Lyla Soh;
a showcase of diversity and individuality in celebration of our colourful community, and the universality of design.

Theme: "People of Design"

The theme, “People of Design,” honors everyday visionaries who contribute to society through design. These individuals, from various walks of life, share a common goal of making the world a better place through design. Singapore Design Week 2024 will bring together these diverse voices, offering a platform for them to showcase how design can enhance our lives.

Left to right: Cathy Hackl, Aric Chen, Debra Langley, and Tamsin Greulich-Smith.
Photos courtesy of respective speakers.

The Three Pillars of the Festival

This year's festival content is organized around three main pillars: “Design Futures,” “Design Marketplace,” and “Design Impact.” A major highlight is the “Design Futures Forum,” a flagship event exploring the future of design and its role in addressing critical global challenges. The forum, which will run over two days, will feature thought leaders from around the world who will discuss design's impact on emerging technologies, sustainability, and care.

Showcases in the Design Marketplace

In the “Design Marketplace,” which connects global lifestyle trends with the Southeast Asian design community, Asia's largest design trade fair, FIND – Design Fair Asia, will be held at Marina Bay Sands. Additionally, “EMERGE @ FIND,” a showcase dedicated to contemporary Southeast Asian design, will feature over 50 emerging and established designers presenting new works.

Left to right: FIND – Design Fair Asia and EMERGE @ FIND at Marina Bay Sands during SDW 2023.
Photos courtesy of FIND – Design Fair Asia.

Design Impact and Social Contribution

“Design Impact” will showcase innovative design solutions addressing societal challenges, with the “Future Impact 2: Homecoming Showcase” being a key event. This exhibition, first presented at Milan Design Week 2024, will be reimagined for its return to Singapore at the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Works showcased at Future Impact 2 during Milan Design Week 2024. Photos by Mark Cocksedge.

Expanding Design Districts

The SDW 2024 program will expand across dynamic districts in Singapore, including Bras Basah.Bugis, Orchard, and Marina, each presenting unique interpretations of the “People of Design” theme through exhibitions, experiential installations, and more. For example, in the Bras Basah.Bugis Design District, Hans Tan will curate a series of installations that reimagine everyday activities from a fresh perspective. The Marina Design District will see Nathan Yong present "Neu Folk," a series of activations that bridge tradition and the future of design, with a focus on sustainability and innovation. Meanwhile, in the Orchard Design District, PLUS Collaboratives will curate “Re-Route: Orchard,” inviting visitors to experience Singapore’s iconic shopping belt in a new way.

Bras Basah.Bugis Design District

Clockwise from left: Hans Tan, Clara Koh and Alvin Ho (Atelier HOKO), Jamie Yeo and Gideon Kong (gideon-jamie), Gustavo Maggio and Wendy Chua (Forest & Whale). Photos courtesy of respective designers.

Island-wide Events and Activities

SDW 2024 will also feature over 70 events across Singapore, ranging from exhibitions and talks to workshops and pop-up experiences, offering diverse opportunities to engage with the world of design.

Marina Design District

Left to right: Nathan Yong and a rendering of the Design Pavilion at Millenia Walk.
Photos courtesy of Nathan Yong and Marina Central.

Orchard Design District

Left to right: Cheryl Sim, Design Director and Mervin Tan, Creative Director of PLUS Collaboratives.
Photos courtesy of PLUS Collaboratives.

About Singapore Design Week

Singapore Design Week (SDW) is one of Asia’s premier design festivals, celebrating Singapore’s distinctive brand of creativity. The festival explores design through three defining pillars: Design Futures (the design of the future and the future of design), Design Marketplace (lifestyle trends with a spotlight on Southeast Asia), and Design Impact (innovative solutions for a better world). SDW is a celebration of creativity and innovation, championing thought leadership and showcasing the best of design from Singapore and beyond.