Our team of designers recently dove into the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven—a burst of creativity and inspiration. This year’s theme, Real Unreal, challenged the boundaries between reality and artificial intelligence. With AI now at the forefront of design, the lines between human and machine-made art are blurring. This fusion is reshaping design, from patterns and textures to fully AI-generated artworks.
The highlights from DDW that stood out to us, capturing just a few of the many impressive exhibits that left us inspired:
3D Printing Innovations
A prominent theme this year was the limitless potential of 3D printing. Among the standout displays was a robotic arm that could 3D-print intricate designs, captivating our team with its precision and creativity. Flexibility in 3D printing materials was also highlighted, with brands like MTL More Than Layers showcasing exciting applications in sustainable materials.
Graduation Show – Inspiring Retail Concepts
The annual Graduation Show featured innovative ideas, including a standout project that reimagined the future of retail for EasyToys. This project went beyond concept design, incorporating market research, customer insights, and animated retail guides. A great example of the 3 D's of our approach — Design, Develop, Discover — in action.
Discover more about our approach. Our Story +
Repurposing & Sustainable Innovation
One intriguing display was a floor lamp crafted from recycled window materials, designed without any adhesives or sawing. This lamp can be easily disassembled and restored to its original form, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainable design principles.
Artistic Collaborations & Showstopping Displays
Collaborations like Raw Color x IKEA and creative showcases such as the Climate Design Shop underscored the power of bold presentation and thoughtful sustainability. Fantasy-inspired rooms, AI-generated plants, and poetic prompts blurred the line between reality and digital art, while installations like My Dream Bunker invited visitors to reflect on current trends and the future of design.
Raw Color x IKEA
Climate Design Shop
We’re excited to bring these ideas back to our own work and explore new ways to push the boundaries between the real and unreal. Stay tuned to see where this inspiration takes us next.
