Your Ultimate Guide to Singapore Design Week 2024

Published on September 1, 2024 | by DSGN arcHive

Discover a variety of cool events that showcase the city’s awesome design vibe!

Singapore Design Week (SDW) is set to return, casting its illuminating glow over the city from 26 September to 6 October 2024. Organised by the DesignSingapore Council (Dsg), this year’s theme, “People of Design,” promises to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes whose creativity shapes our everyday lives. From bustling exhibitions to thought-provoking showcases, SDW 2024 will showcase a dazzling array of design events across Singapore’s vibrant landscape. It’s an unmissable celebration of Singapore’s distinctive design and creative ingenuity!

Top Events to Catch at Singapore Design Week 2024

The festival’s three main themes include—Design Futures, Design Marketplace, and Design Impact. Here’s what you can look forward to at Singapore Design Week 2024!

1. Design Futures

Design Futures delves into Singapore’s innovative perspective on the future of design, aiming to shape a better tomorrow for all. At the heart of this theme lies the expanded Design Futures Forum, now spanning two enriching days. Participants can expect thought-provoking presentations, engaging panel discussions, and interactive sessions. These events focus on the pivotal role of design and designers in our rapidly evolving technological landscape. It’s an exceptional chance to gather inspiration, connect with industry leaders, and drive meaningful change in your respective field.

2. Design Marketplace

FIND – Design Fair Asia is back for its third edition this September, and it’s set to strengthen its reputation as Asia’s leading design trade show. Running from 26 to 28 September 2024 at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Level B2, the event will showcase a broad array of international design innovations. This year, country pavilions from Italy, the Czech Republic, Portugal, and Indonesia will offer exciting opportunities for valuable cross-cultural exchanges. With cutting-edge trends like multi-functional furniture catering to compact spaces, along with a growing focus on sustainability through ethical sourcing and circular business models, there’s so much to discover.

Make sure to pre-register before 26 September 2024 to enjoy complimentary access to this must-attend event for anyone passionate about furniture, interiors, and design!

3. EMERGE @ FIND featuring “These Precious Things”

Southeast Asian design showcase EMERGE @ FIND is making an exciting return to Singapore Design Week 2024, this time with a focus on reimagining the concept of value. Presented by the DesignSingapore Council (Dsg) and supported by FIND – Design Fair Asia, this year’s event will feature over 60 designers, including recent graduates from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Taking place at Marina Bay Sands from 26 to 28 September 2024, the showcase will span across 1,000 sqm of space. What’s more, this edition introduces a partnership with online gallery The Artling, offering over 100 works for sale from 13 September 2024. Curator Suzy Annetta, under the theme “These Precious Things,” encourages visitors to rethink value amidst today’s environmental challenges. Judging by the impressive selection, we can’t wait to see these designs come to life in person!

Admission to EMERGE @ FIND is complimentary, with pre-registration available until 26 September 2024.

4. Design Impact

Design Impact sparks inspiration through innovative solutions to societal challenges. A standout event is The Future Impact 2: Homecoming Showcase. Following its successful debut at Milan Design Week 2024 with designers like Christian+Jade and Gabriel Tan, the exhibition is set to return to Singapore shores. Hosted at the Asian Civilisations Museum for eight weeks, it will present updated pieces from these designers. This makes it essential viewing for both design enthusiasts and professionals.

5. Expanded footprint of design districts

Building on last year’s success, this year’s design districts will expand across Bras Basah.Bugis, Orchard, and Marina. Embracing the “People of Design” theme, each district will offer special commissions, exhibitions, installations, workshops, and more. These events aim to highlight the unique charm of the local community. Through this initiative, the DesignSingapore Council (Dsg) continues to support homegrown talent, uniting creatives, communities, and partners. The effort will showcase Singapore’s distinctive creativity through diverse district experiences.

Bras Basah.Bugis Design District

Led by renowned designer Hans Tan and featuring local talents like Atelier HOKO, Forest & Whale, and gideon-jamie, a collective will transform the Bras Basah.Bugis Design District. Tan’s People of Design Showcase Series will reimagine everyday activities through unique, site-specific installations. Highlights include Atelier Fang’s food design installation at the National Design Centre with a dining experience at Tipo Pasta Bar, and the R for Repair exhibition at 42 Waterloo Street, focusing on mending the mind and spirit with objects collected alongside Yishun Health Singapore.

Marina Design District

This year, the Marina Design District expands to include Marina Central for the first time, alongside the iconic Marina Bay area. Led by prominent Singapore designer Nathan Yong, Marina Central will host the Neu Folk: Bridging Tradition and Future in Design series. Highlights include the Design Pavilion at Millenia Walk, with curated exhibitions, talks, retail experiences, and workshops focused on sustainability and innovation. Visitors can experience two large-scale kinetic energy installations: Mooncycle, device-charging swings inspired by Moon Gates, and Kinetics Energy Play, where human-sized wheels generate light through motion.

Orchard Design District

Orchard Road is all set to welcome Re-Route: Orchard (RR), curated by the local design group PLUS Collaboratives. Centred on the theme “Be Here Now,” RR is an exploration into how design revitalises and enhances this iconic shopping district. It examines how design shapes community dynamics, culture, and heritage. Highlights include the Offshoots Route stamp rally along Orchard Road and a playful kids’ area at Far East Plaza. Additionally, creative designs showcasing “Adaptive Reuse” will be featured. Visitors can explore Orchard Road’s hidden gems and witness its ongoing evolution through innovative design interventions.

6. Additional lifestyle programmes featuring design

This year, Dsg is spicing things up with two Friday Late events brimming with after-hours entertainment on 27 September and 4 October, 2024. On 27 September, enjoy curator tours, interactive VR experiences, and experimental food explorations at locations like the National Design Centre and 42 Waterloo Street. Then, on 4 October, indulge in evening festivities featuring music, design, food, and craft at DISTRICT M. Additionally, look forward to over 70 community-driven events across the island during SDW 2024, including exhibitions, talks, workshops, and stylish pop-up shops.

Stay tuned for more updates as the festival draws nearer!

About DSGN arcHive

DSGN arcHive is your exclusive key to unveiling the enigmatic essence of a city, all filtered through the prism of design. Far from the ordinary tourist paths. We reveal the city’s architectural marvels, urban intricacies, cultural tapestry, and eco-conscious revolutions that mold its distinctive soul. With us, you’re invited to savor the metropolis in an entirely chic and sophisticated light, a city that’s far more than what meets the eye.