Participants FAQ

Dutch Design Week (DDW) is the premier platform for high-quality design. DDW is about the design of the future and the future of design. It aims to inspire, share, and connect.

During the nine-day event, Eindhoven is fully dedicated to design, covering all conceivable disciplines and aspects of design. Spread across approximately 120 locations throughout the city, DDW organizes and facilitates exhibitions, lectures, award ceremonies, networking events, debates, and festivities.

The focus is on expertise and talent, experimentation, innovation, and crossovers. Dutch Design Week is also the platform where we discuss and shape the future of design. Our mission is to showcase how designers worldwide shape a positive future and to strengthen the position and significance of Dutch designers in this process.

This year, DDW will take place from Saturday, October 18, to Sunday, October 26, 2025.

This is the event where you can showcase your work to a vast, international audience. DDW attracts an enormous number of visitors each year, including design enthusiasts, buyers, curators, businesses, government agencies, and fellow designers.

All designers from all possible backgrounds. DDW aims to provide a broad perspective on the design field and reflect societal trends. Diversity and multiple perspectives are very important to us. We specifically encourage collaborations between designers, businesses, industries, scientists, policymakers, and knowledge institutions to apply.

You can apply with projects that meet the following criteria:

• Your project aligns with our vision of design:
• We look forward because we believe that designers shape the future, working across various design disciplines. Your creative power manifests in artistic, speculative, or innovative ways, addressing either individual or societal perspectives.
• Your project has been conceived, developed, or produced in the past year and has not been presented in this way at DDW before.
• Your work demonstrates professional design quality.
• The project is original and distinctive in both concept and execution.
• The design is innovative or adds something to existing ideas.
• Your work is relevant to the current zeitgeist.
• The project is ready for professional presentation.

You can participate in DDW by responding to our Open Call. To do so, create a My DDW account and complete the application form. For alternative ways to apply, feel free to contact us.

Step 1.
Submit your project. Create a My DDW account and fill out the application form. Read the participation terms carefully.

Step 2.
We review your application. If your project is approved, proceed to step 3!

Step 3.
We send you an offer. Sign it digitally and pay the invoice within the given deadline.

Step 4.
Find a suitable location. Read more about finding the right venue for your project or reach out to our suggested locations.

Step 5.
Confirm your location. Once you’ve secured a location, inform us through your My DDW account.

Step 6.
We verify your location. If everything checks out, proceed to step 7!

Step 7.
Location approval. You must complete the printed map information form in your My DDW account before Friday, August 9.

Step 8.
Finalize your participation. Submit your project information in My DDW—the final and most crucial step for DDW25 participation.

Step 9.
Enjoy Dutch Design Week 2025!
 

The best location for your project is one that fits your vision. We believe designers should have control over their exhibition space. To assist you, we have compiled a list of available locations throughout Eindhoven. While finding a location is your responsibility, we’re happy to assist if needed.

Read more about available locations →

Tuesday, May 13: Deadline for application submission for Ketelhuisplein
You will receive a response by Tuesday, May 27

Monday, June 9: End of Call for Entries (except for graduates)
You will receive a response by Monday, June 23

Thursday, June 26: End of Call for Entries for graduates
You will receive a response by Monday, July 7

Thursday, August 7: Deadline for submitting location & project information for the printed map

Sunday, August 31: Deadline for uploading project information for the online program on ddw.nl

Monday, September 1: Online program on ddw.nl goes live

Additional costs may apply, including:

• Venue rental or per square meter pricing
• Facility costs
• Travel, accommodation, catering, and hosting costs
• Insurance costs
• Production costs for your presentation

• Nine days of networking with an international audience
• A dedicated program team for support
• Your own page in the online program on ddw.nl
• Listing on the DDW map
• Two tickets for the Grand Opening of DDW
• Visibility through Design Rides
• Free or discounted DDW tickets

*As a participant, you can purchase a limited number of tickets with a €5 discount per ticket. The main registrant will receive discount codes for this purpose. If you are registering with multiple people, you are jointly responsible for distributing the tickets.

Matching Preferences

By gaining insight into your position within the design field, we can facilitate better matches and create the best possible DDW experience for you. Our goal is not to categorize you but to help you find the ideal way to present your work and connect with relevant networks.

We aim to increase your visibility and maximize valuable meetings and business opportunities.

We would like to know:

• Which design perspective best matches you as a designer and/or your work:
  • Signature & Collection
  • Speculative & Social
  • Product & Craft
  • Service & Innovation
  • Independent & Critical
• Which design discipline your work is related to
  Which mission best aligns with your work:
  • Healthy Planet
  • Living Environment
  • Health & Well-being
  • Equal Society
  • Digital Future
• Based on the above aspects, how you prefer to be matched
  Whether you are part of a cluster or group exhibition

More information on Missions and Perspectives →