CLICKNL at DDW
Looking back | Dutch Design Week 2026
Dutch Design Week 2026 has come to an end! A week in which designers, researchers, policymakers and other professionals came together to exchange knowledge and experiences, explore new perspectives and make connections. CLICKNL was also involved in several events, from the Design Innovation Sessions and The Power of Design & Transitions to CreativeNL Live. We look back on an inspiring week.
Design Innovation Sessions
During the Design Innovation Sessions at Natlab, we explored three topical themes: Thriving Planet, Digital Futures and Health & Well-Being. Three mornings focused on the role of design, technology and collaboration in addressing societal challenges.
On Tuesday 20 October, the focus was on the future of circular fashion and textiles. During Thriving Planet: The Smart Weaving Mill, we explored how digital technologies, such as digital weaving and Digital Product Passports, can contribute to a circular textile sector. One key insight: developing circular solutions is one thing, but making them scalable, measurable and economically viable requires collaboration and knowledge from other sectors.
Wednesday 21 October was all about generative AI. During Digital Futures: The AI We Choose, we explored how the creative industries can contribute to a digital future centred on human creativity and agency. The discussion was not just about what AI makes possible, but above all about how we choose to use this technology.
We concluded on Thursday 22 October with Health & Well-Being: Care by Design. From wearable light therapy to soft robotic hearts, the session demonstrated how design and medical technology can contribute to better healthcare. One important lesson was that successful innovation starts with understanding the needs of patients and healthcare professionals, rather than with the technology itself.
The Power of Design & Transitions Public Event
On Tuesday afternoon, 20 October, the first public event of The Power of Design & Transitions took place. Designers, researchers and other professionals came together to exchange knowledge, methodologies and experiences on the role of the power of design in societal transitions.
The afternoon began with a keynote by David Abbink on technological innovation and the future of meaningful and fair work. Visitors then explored new research projects at the project marketplace and discussed initial insights from ongoing projects during six working sessions.
A recurring theme? Design is not just about developing solutions, but also about connecting people, interests and ambitions. From involving residents at an early stage to creating shared ownership, the sessions demonstrated how the power of design can contribute to collective change.
CreativeNL Live
On Friday evening, 23 October, designers, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders gathered at KetelHuis for CreativeNL Live, under the theme Why the World Needs More Design.
In his keynote, Mark van Iterson emphasised the importance of design. It was an evening full of encounters and conversations about the value of design, with the energy inside at least as strong as the storm outside.
Want to read more and look back?
Would you like to explore more highlights from Dutch Design Week? Visit our LinkedIn page for more updates, insights and photos from the various events.
Missed the Design Innovation Sessions? From early 2027, the new Design Innovation Updates, written by Twan Eikelenboom, will be published, offering a deeper exploration of the insights from the three sessions. This will give you another opportunity to discover or revisit the key takeaways.
More detailed recaps of the public event of The Power of Design & Transitions and CreativeNL Live, written by Viveka van de Vliet, will also be published soon.
