The future begins. The 10th edition of the Zlin Design Week festival is starting

“This year, visitors can look forward not only to inspiring exhibitions and installations in several places in the city of Zlín, but also, for example, to an exclusive fashion show at sunset. Personally, however, I would like to recommend everyone to go to the main festival exhibition Future is! It shows that all over the world there are designers who are creating new systems, developing more sustainable materials, experimenting with technologies and giving voice to those who are silenced. They are simply not afraid to look for ways to create a better future. Among the exhibited projects will appear, for example Crafted Liberation – scarves donated by Iranian women from all over the world are transformed by the designer duo By Nila Rezaei and Christopher Krainer v stadium seats, through which they tell stories about their struggle for equality,“ the program of the tenth year is presented by Jitka Smolíková, the dramaturg of the festival.

Ceremonial opening at Zlín Castle

The 10th year of the festival will be officially opened on Wednesday, May 8 in the premises of the Zlín Castle. The opening will be connected with the opening of the aforementioned exhibition Future is!, which will present projects devoted to topics and approaches shaping our future, and a subsequent afterparty. The Himalayan Dalai Lama band will provide the music for this festive evening.

Conference not only for designers

On Thursday, May 9, the Design on the Border conference will be held, featuring countless distinguished speakers from around the world, talking about the topic of digital design, product design and motion design. Among the speakers will appear, for example Mike Deryckewho deals with coding in a digital design studio in Brussels, or Ivan Flores from Motionhouse who will be talking about the world of motion design, specifically on “How to Survive in the Commercial World”.

10 fashion designers will present their collections at sunset

Friday Fashion show “Future is Spectrum” and the subsequent after-party is probably the biggest attraction of this year. Eight fashion designers and two designers will present their work. According to the name of one of the collections “So you don’t screw up” event promises an unconventional look at the future of the fashion industry. Rapper, producer and visual artist Arleta will headline the subsequent afterparty.

Workshop | Speculative design as a tool for young people’s mental health debate

The Speculative Design Workshop will focus on linking design theory and practice with application to real and current challenges in the mental health of young people, particularly those with ADHD or anxiety. Participants will learn about the principles of speculative design and its potential applications in the public sector, with an emphasis on creative thinking and innovative approaches to problem solving. The practical part of the workshop will include working with speculative technologies and tools in dystopian scenarios that reflect the current needs of young people. Roman Sellner Novotný and Veronika Sellner will guide you through the workshop, which will take place on 5/13.

Zlínská Design Dazzle, Powered by PechaKucha

In the early Monday evening, you cannot miss a special part of the program, focused on discussions between artists across creative fields – Design Dazzle, Powered by PechaKucha. One of the lectures will feature Linda Procházková, winner of the Best in Design competition, which used to be called Talent design. The competition, linked to the Zlin Design Week, celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, which of course offers a debate on how the competition can influence a designer’s career. In addition to Linda, the representatives of Budějovice 2028 will perform as part of the title of European Capital of Culture, or Adam Komůrka, a digital designer whose portfolio includes, for example, the visual identity for the Anděl Awards or the stage design for the artists Calin & Viktor Sheen.

Tickets for the paid parts of the program can still be bought on the GoOut portal. More information about all parts of the program can be found on the website www.zlindesignweek.com.

About Zlin Design Week

Zlin Design Week is a weekly design festival where everyone can find inspiration. Through the festival, we create a platform for young designers and professionals to meet, for presentation, expression, sharing and unexpected connections. We support young talents and bring fresh wind in the field of design. The project was created in 2015 at the Faculty of Multimedia Communications of the Tomáš Bata University in Zlín thanks to the interdisciplinary cooperation of design, marketing, photography and audiovisual.