Singapore Design Week (SDW) has returned for 2024, running from 26 September to 6 October, offering an 11-day showcase of the nation’s unique design and creative talents. Organised by DesignSingapore Council (Dsg), the event features a rich programme spread across multiple districts, aligned with this year’s theme, People of Design. The festival seeks to honour the visionaries who shape society through design, with the aim of enhancing the everyday experiences of life.
Anchored by three central pillars—Design Futures, Design Marketplace, and Design Impact—this year’s event promises to inform, inspire, and engage through a variety of exhibitions, forums, and showcases. These themes explore the future of design, commercial trends in Southeast Asia, and design’s role in addressing societal challenges.
Designing the Future
One of the highlights of SDW 2024 is the Design Futures pillar, which offers insights into how design will shape the years ahead. The flagship Design Futures Forum has returned with an expanded format, running across two days. This year’s theme, Designing Our Collective Future, emphasises the role of design in emerging technologies, sustainability, and care—areas increasingly vital to building resilient and thriving communities. A variety of experts from diverse fields will share their perspectives on how design can influence these important issues.
Showcasing Southeast Asian Design
The Design Marketplace pillar brings together lifestyle trends and design innovations from around the globe, particularly highlighting the growing design scene in Southeast Asia. One key event is FIND – Design Fair Asia, which marks its third edition at Marina Bay Sands. This year’s talent showcase, EMERGE @ FIND, curated by Suzy Annetta of Design Anthology, returns with the theme These Precious Things. More than 50 emerging and established designers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam will exhibit their work, exploring notions of value in a world grappling with excess and environmental urgency.
Design as a Catalyst for Change
The Design Impact pillar highlights design solutions that address some of society’s most pressing questions. One notable event under this theme is the Future Impact 2: Homecoming Showcase. After debuting at Milan Design Week, this exhibition returns to Singapore, featuring refreshed pieces from seven designers. Running for eight weeks at the Asian Civilisations Museum, the exhibit showcases how design can inspire impactful solutions for contemporary challenges.
Expanding Design Districts
In addition to the core programmes, SDW 2024 will see an expanded footprint across Singapore’s design districts. The dynamic areas of Bras Basah.Bugis, Orchard, and Marina will each host a variety of activations, exhibitions, and workshops.
Bras Basah.Bugis, known as Singapore’s arts and heritage district, will feature a People of Design Showcase Series led by renowned designer Hans Tan. This series includes experiential installations that reimagine everyday activities such as eating, sleeping, and commuting.
Over in Marina, the district has expanded to include Marina Central, with Nathan Yong, one of Singapore’s most recognised designers, presenting Neufolk, a series merging tradition with future-focused design.
At Orchard Road, visitors will experience Re-Route: Orchard (RR), a curated set of design interventions by PLUS Collaboratives aimed at enriching the visitor experience along the city’s famous shopping street.
Island-wide Events
In addition to these key events, SDW 2024 features over 70 community-led activities, including exhibitions, talks, and workshops. The city-wide festivities also include two Friday Late events, taking place after hours in Bras Basah.Bugis on 27 September and Marina Central on 4 October.
Singapore Design Week continues to position itself as a premier event in the global design calendar, showcasing innovation, sustainability, and creativity from Southeast Asia and beyond.
