The 16th Tallinn Design Festival DISAINIÖÖ will take place from 20 to 26 September 2021. This year's theme is the extraordinary and life-saving SOS DESIGN.
One of the aims of the festival is to draw attention to the role of design in resolving changes and crisis situations in society. In the context of a pandemic, the role of crisis design is more important than ever before. And not just in healthcare. There are many global problems that require urgent intervention: the economic crisis, global warming, the energy crisis, poverty, and so on.
The festival program focuses on crisis design topics: corresponding exhibitions, workshops and discussions will take place. Experts with international crisis experience from all over Europe will speak at the conference. The international exhibition "SOS Design" brings to the viewer examples of responsible design of the ArtsThread competition (UK) from more than ten countries.
The Estonian exhibition of sustainable design "Second Chance" demonstrates products and materials that have gained a second life, thus saving resources and protecting the environment. The poster art exhibition "ABSURD" introduces the best of international graphic design. The display of design and architecture schools has become more and more popular among young people. This is a rare opportunity to see the level of Estonian design education and, if possible, compare it with foreign establishments of the same kind.
As has become a tradition, the festival program includes designer talks such as PechaKucha, and "I Am a Designer"; the fashion show D_O_M of clothing designers with distinctive creations, and the design market "Design Street", which has become a favorite of the audience. As a novelty, the program includes a series of lectures "Travelling Talks", which takes place within the framework of the EU project SMOTIES and introduces the changes in the living environment and cultural life in the periphery that have stemmed from grassroots movements and citizen initiatives.
The heart of the festival is located in the Põhjala factory, whose interiors and exteriors the organisers, the volunteers and Valgusfestival production will vivify. In addition to multiple exhibition openings, the opening night of the festival will see the old rubber factory's space filled with gospel-like light design show ”Future Cemetery”, which will reflect on the topic of tomorrow’s graveyards.
Throughout the week, satellites will be emerging all over the city, opening their doors to exhibitions, product introductions, workshops and special events. Museums will offer design-themed events: as a telling example, in the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design one can make acquaintance with the work of both one of the most famous Estonian lighting designer Tarmo Luisk and the legacy of local glass art legend Ivo Lill.
This year, special attention will be paid to children and young people. The aim of the survival-themed design competition "SOS: the house is on fire" within the framework of the children's program is to popularize the methodology of design thinking in children and young people and to show how to develop children's creativity with well-thought-out design. Also all children are welcome to the festival's children's area!
The festival offers the joy of discovery for people of all ages and occupations, and most events are free of charge! Networking and meeting with like-minded people are considered by festival guests to be one of the most important motivators for participating in the events.
Tallinn Design festival has won the EFFE Label, which is Europe's quality stamp for remarkable arts festivals.Memories from 2020 here
Memories from 2019 here
Memories from 2018 here
Memories from 2017 here
Memories from 2016 here
