Dutch Design Week announces full programme for 2017 edition

Dezeen promotion: an exhibition of Design Academy Eindhoven graduates, Dezeen's Good Design for a Bad World talks progamme, and a robot research centre are among the 600 events taking place during this year's Dutch Design Week.

Dezeen is media partner for Dutch Design Week, which takes place from 21 to 29 October 2017 in Eindhoven.

The Design Academy Eindhoven graduate show will return to Dutch Design Week this year. Photograph by Cleo Goossens

The city is home to one of the most famous design schools in the world, Design Academy Eindhoven, so the week-long festival brings together a wealth of promising young designers.

The full programme – this year centred around the theme of "stretch" – has now been announced, and will see over 600 exhibitions and events taking place across the week.

The city's Van Abbemuseum will also host a programme of exhibitions during Dutch Design Week. Photo by Tommy Köhlbrugge

"The programme management sees multiple trends this year," said the organisers. "Hot items are the influence of digitalisation on and robotisation of our society."

"Social issues and the circular economy also get plenty of attention and there is a special role for crafts: the rediscovery of old manufacturing methods or the development of entirely new applications for them."

Studios, workshops and galleries in the Sectie-C area will also take part in the week-long festival. Photograph by Iris Rijskamp

This year, the trend-led themes will be explored across new locations and exhibitions – as well as returning features on the schedule, like the Design Academy Eindhoven Graduation Show and the Sectie-C area.

Among this year's highlights include a temporary structure exploring sustainability, which will be built by Dutch studios Bureau SLA and Overtreders W, using only responsible materials such as shingles made of waste plastic, and components that will be returned after use.

Named the People's Pavilion, it will form the main venue for the inaugural World Design Event at this year's Dutch Design Week.

The trend for "digitalisation and robotisation" will be investigated in The Embassy of Robot Love – where visitors can explore the role of robots, and how we can make them feel safe, represented and loved.

The Popcore exhibition is organised by a group of young designers, who are exploring a new, fluid way of living. Photo by Ralph Roelse

Dezeen founder and editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs has been named the first-ever international ambassador for Dutch Design Week. Over the opening weekend, 21 and 22 October, he will host five discussions as part of its Good Design for a Bad World initiative.

The talks will address climate change, refugees, terrorism, pollution and politics, with speakers discussing if and how design can make a difference in these areas.

The Ketelhuisplein area of the city will host a number of exhibitions, as well as pop-up bars and food stalls. Photo by Sjoerd Eickmans

Speakers already confirmed include humanitarian expert Kilian Kleinschmidt, architect Winy Maas, designer Dave Hakkens and What Design Can Do conference organiser Richard van der Lacken.

As with each year, the Design Academy Eindhoven graduate show is expected to be a firm favourite among visitors. The show presents projects from the latest group of emerging designers from the school.