Ever wondered what is design? Or how does design affect you?
Coming this March, get to know all about design at the Singapore Design Week 2018! The annual design festival runs from 5th to 18th March, celebrating and showcasing the finest of design talents and businesses in Singapore as well as Asia.
Whether or not you are from the design community, the exciting line-up of activities promises a fun and enriching time for all to experience the value of design!
1. Urban Design Festival
From 14th to 18th March, the Tanjong Pagar district will be transformed into a hub of urban design thinking.
With the aim of raising awareness of urban design and foster new collaborations, the festival will feature temporary installations, an international summit, fun workshops and other cultural activities.
Look out for interesting design projects, art and music performances at a special edition of Urban Ventures, where the potential of design is explored through the pedestrianisation of streets, public space activation and community engagement.
Various locations in Tanjong Pagar/Chinatown 14 – 18 March 2018, Wednesday – Sunday
2. District Activation: District Design Dialogue Holland Village
Be sure to visit Holland Village as it gets transformed into a temporary gathering of various independent vendors – fashion, food, music, and craft.
At various sites in the area – including streets, shops, creative studios and terrace houses – visitors can expect to experience design in delightful ways.
Imagine watching a cosy performance in a living room, or seeing interactive art installations and participating in craft sessions as you stroll through the black and white terraces of Chip Bee Gardens.
Various Locations in Holland Village 10 – 18 March 2018, Saturday – Sunday, 12:00 – 22:00
3. Singaplural
Themed ‘A State In Play’, SingaPlural 2018 explores the concept of play as an important experimental process that precedes design work.
It is said that In ‘’Play’’, there are no failed experiments, only experiments with unexpected outcomes. A thought-provoking ideology that certainly intrigues one to visit for a first-hand experience.
Highlights of installations from renowned brands and designers include the likes of a the central pavilion called Formica for More by Formica x Produce, the floating Headspace by Kvadrat x Publicworks, and Ewins x Gabriel Tan Design’s The Mad Hatter, which resembles a hat shaped lamp.
National Design Centre 05 – 18 March 2018 Monday – Sunday, 09:00 – 21:00
4. Wallpaper* Handmade Retreat
The Wallpaper presents The Handmade Retreat – a sanctuary of calm, wellbeing, mindfulness and barefoot luxury.
For this edition, Singapore-based talents will contribute products designed to aid mental, spiritual and bodily wellbeing.
Wallpaper* Handmade’s Next Generation Singapore Designer, Edmund Zhang will be showcasing his work – the ‘Squeezy’ lamp, which won him the he prestigious Wallpaper* accolade in a competition.
Visit the exhibition for other handmade products, furniture, fittings, fashion, foodstuff and more!
Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Road, S108937 08 March – 31 May 2018 Thursday – Thursday, 12:00 – 19:00
5. Market Of Artists And Designers (Maad) @ I Light Marina Bay
This special installation of Red Dot Design Museum’s Market of Artists And Designers (MAAD) will showcase 50 makers from Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia.
There are more than 10 workshops covering topics such as art, craft and design.
For instance, there’s a bookbinding workshop by CY Chen, Zentangle workshop by Kit Low and a paper plant ball workshop by Jennifer Mong. Perfect for those who want to learn a craft or even do some shopping!
Especially for creatives, don’t miss the talks by presenting artists, which are entirely free and open to public.
Waterfront Promenade (Outside Red Dot Design Museum) 09 – 11 March 2018, Friday – Sunday, 15:00
6. My Story, My Toy
For design week, MINT Muesum of Toys invites you to explore the subject of what breaks the generic mould and makes a design truly unique? Particularly for something as personal and unique as our toys.
Head down to view the exhibition of machine-pressed tin toys, including a unique showcase of artworks submitted by the public.
You can also participate in hands-on Make & Play experience, which involves creating unique art on an iconic white-washed figurine.
MINT Museum of Toys, 26 Seah Street Singapore 188382 05 – 18 March 2018 Monday – Sunday, 09:30 – 18:30
7. Millenia Walk: A Trail Of Delicious Design
This is the part that will get foodies excited!
A Trail of Delicious Design offers mall-goers access to local and international designs through a lens that many will love – food.
Audiences are invited to explore a combination of exhibits, talks and workshops with hands-on activities.
Some highlights include the ‘The original comes from Vitra’ showcase from the legendary Swiss furniture retailer, as well as ‘Tasteful Spaces’, which are experiential spaces inspired by various cuisines. Yum.
Millenia Walk, One Temasek Avenue 41st Floor Millenia Tower, Singapore 039192 07 March – 29 April 2018 Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 – 22:00
8. Relationships (A Collaboration Story)
What do relationships mean to you?
In conjunction with the launch of their newly crafted in-ear monitors, DITA audio is inviting 20 creative individuals to illustrate their own interpretation of the theme “RELATIONSHIPS”.
Their works will be on the boxes of the new earphones, Fealty and Fidelity, and will be on display at K+ Curatorial Space after the event.
K+ Curatorial Space. Scotts Square #03-11/12/13 6 Scotts Road, Singapore 228209 10 – 11 March 2018, Saturday – Sunday, 11:00 – 20:30
12 – 15 March 2018, Monday – Thursday, 11:30 – 20:30
16 March 2018,Friday, 11:00 – 20:30
9. Design Your Denim: Maker Workshop
If you are interested to do some DIY and your personal touch to your denim, this workshop by Fashion Makerspace is perfect for you!
Participants will get to learn a variety of D-I-Y techniques such as print transfer, embellishing, distressing denim, riveting, and painting – allowing you to create your original design through various tools and media provided.
Let your creative juices flow!
Fashion Makerspace, 258 South Bridge Road #02-01, Singapore 058807 15 – 16 March 2018 Thursday – Friday, 19:30 – 21:30
10. Verlocal Design Fest
This two-day event seeks to impart basic creative skills and encourage the incorporation and experimentation of design in everyday life through fun-filled workshops and activities.
For instance, learn how to create beautiful henna designs at the Modern Henna Design workshop by esteemed henna tattoo artist, Ng See Min.
Also, get hands-on with creating food art on cupcakes, or learn floral arrangement design with preserved flowers.
Participants can also design your own wearables using different materials, such as knots and resin at booths set up around the space.
Funan Showsuite, High St 17 – 18 March 2018, Saturday – Sunday, 11:00 – 19:00
11. Electro Etching Workshop
Electro etching, a technique typically used to etch microchips in the technology sector, is also a simple and creative way to etch any design on metal.
At this workshop, participants can draw their own designs or use templates provided and etch their designs onto metal surfaces.
The etched metal can then be fashioned into useful objects such earrings, pendants, bracelets, cufflinks. Have fun personalising your own jewellery!
Artify Studio Textilee Centre, 200 Jalan Sultan #08-05 Singapore 199018 11 March 2018, Sunday, 11:00 – 14:00
12. Behind The Scenes At Hassell: Become A Designer For A Day!
Here is something for the little ones! Hassell invites children and their families to their studio open house this design week. Their team of architects, interior designers and urban specialists hope to engage children and dream up an amazing future together.
Through a series of fun and safe activities, children will get to explore the world of designs with Hassell designers through building blocks, draw tools and craft models.
Also, small design tokens and goodie bags will be provided for their special young designers!
HASSELL Studio (33 Tras St) 10 March 2018, Saturday, 10:00 – 13:00