CreativeNL Live
Designers, companies, research institutions, and policymakers come together to kick off the closing weekend of Dutch Design Week.
The creative industry is of great significance to the Netherlands, but its position is under pressure. Now more than ever, it is important to showcase what we as a sector have to offer: the ability to see things differently and develop solutions that make a difference far beyond our own sector.
That’s why, during CreativeNL Live 2026, we’re bringing together designers, researchers, companies, and Dutch and European policymakers. The goal is to forge new connections and build a bridge between research, practice, policy, and funding. Under the theme: “Why the world needs more design.”
CreativeNL Live will take place on Friday, October 23, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ketelhuis in Eindhoven, during Dutch Design Week. The program will be in English. CreativeNL Live is made possible by BNO, CLICKNL, Ekip in collaboration with TU Delft, and the Dutch Design Foundation, with support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.
Admission is free, but advance registration is required.
From Program to Conversation
CreativeNL Live kicks off the closing weekend of Dutch Design Week on Friday afternoon. It’s not a formal conference session, but an accessible gathering where content and networking come together.
The plenary program focuses on different perspectives on the creative industry and the power of design. Afterward, there will be plenty of time to continue the conversation while enjoying some snacks and drinks.
Why the World Needs More Design
Design has much more to offer than just the development of products, services, or visual solutions. Design power helps us understand complex issues, reconcile differing interests, and make new ideas truly applicable. As a result, the design sector plays a vital role in innovation and addressing societal challenges, even far beyond the creative industry itself.
CreativeNL Live highlights this role and brings together the various stakeholders needed to fulfill it. Not to formulate a single answer, but to have a conversation about where the creative industry stands and what it can contribute.
“Why the world needs more design” is therefore more than just the theme of the afternoon. In a rapidly changing world, where societal challenges are growing and room for innovation is not a given, the need for people who can see things differently is actually increasing. That makes the power of design not only relevant, but essential.
Register
- CreativeNL Live 2026 - Why the world needs more design
- Friday, October 23, 2026
- 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Ketelhuis, Eindhoven
- The program will be in English
BNO
BNO, the Association of Dutch Designers, is the voice of the Dutch design community. The association is representing and connecting designers, brands, design education and the government. BNO advances designers and the design profession through expertise, a valuable network and advocacy.
CLICKNL
CLICKNL, a publicly funded foundation, connects and strengthens design power to build a resilient, sustainable, and innovative Netherlands. CreativeNL is an initiative of CLICKNL and is carried out in collaboration with partners from the creative industry and the knowledge and innovation ecosystem.
Dutch Design Foundation & Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy
The Dutch Design Foundation strengthens the position and impact of designers and creates space for the power of design through initiatives such as Dutch Design Week, the Dutch Design Awards, PONT, and Coalitions. Its involvement in CreativeNL Live is made possible in part by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK).
Ekip & TU Delft
Ekip is the European collaboration platform that strengthens the innovative power of ecosystems by involving the cultural and creative industries (CCI). The Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE) at Delft University of Technology is a world-leading design institute.