How will Dutch Design Week adapt to the realities of coronavirus? The final day of VDF kicked off with a live conversation between Dutch Design Foundation director Martijn Paulen, Eindhoven designer Kiki van Eijk and Design Academy Eindhoven creative director Joseph Grima.

The panel discussed Dutch Design Week (DDW) 2020, set to take place on 17-25 October in Eindhoven, and how it, as a design week, has dealt with "the new normal" circumstances brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Digital activities will replace most of the physical events this year, but visitors will still be able to book places on pre-planned visits to designers' studios.

As well as talking about the choices that have been made for the 2020 edition, Paulen, van Eijk and Grima discussed the future of DDW and explored this year's theme, "The New Intimacy".

The pandemic has "compelled us to find ways to relate differently towards each other, the world around us, our stuff, our health, our data and our government at an accelerated pace," the organisers stated.

"Our scope has become smaller and more intimate, while the connection with others is further removed than ever before."

As director of Dutch Design Foundation, Paulen works on both DDW and the Dutch Design Awards. The organisation focuses on experiment and innovation, with past editions of DDW featuring projects such as a pavilion made from CLT and the trunks of poplar trees and a cardboard structure that fights soil erosion.

Designer Kiki van Eijk is one half of design duo Kiki & Joost. Her work spans areas from installations to lighting and glassware, and she has worked with brands such as Google and Hermès.

Kiki & Joost's Eindhoven studio was also one of Dezeen's Instagram highlights from Dutch Design Week 2018.

Joseph Grima, the creative director of Design Academy Eindhoven, is known for his work in the fields of architecture, design and art, and has curated installations for events including the Venice Architecture Biennale and the Istanbul Design Biennial.

About Virtual Design Festival

Virtual Design Festival runs from 15 April to 10 July 2020. It brings the architecture and design world together to celebrate the culture and commerce of our industry, and explore how it can adapt and respond to extraordinary circumstances.

To find out what's coming up at VDF, check out the schedule. For more information or to join the mailing list, email [email protected]