Dutch Design Week 2025 presents: Mission Days—the ultimate gathering place where designers and professional visitors of DDW connect. Here, they engage in meaningful discussions on societal challenges through the lens of design’s transformative power. This programme is designed to expand networks, share knowledge, and foster inspiring collaborations.
A new day, a new mission
Mission Days take place on weekdays during DDW25, from Monday, October 20, to Friday, October 24. Each day revolves around one core DDW mission: Living Environment, Thriving Planet, Digital Futures, Health & Well-being, or Equal Society. The programme features contributions from our professional network of participants and partners.
Who is it for?
Mission Days are designed for designers, design professionals, and professional visitors working within or interested in one of the DDW missions. This programme offers opportunities to:
- Gain inspiration
- Share knowledge with the right audience
- Connect with other like-minded designers and professionals
- Prepare for deeper connections and meetings throughout DDW
- Establish contacts with relevant industry media
Mission Days are all about inspiration and knowledge-sharing, networking and connections, and starting meaningful collaborations. If you’re a designer or design professional, this is where you want to be.
Programme
The Mission Days programme primarily takes place at the edges of the day, outside regular DDW opening hours. This ensures that designers can both engage in insightful discussions and welcome visitors to their exhibitions during the main DDW hours.
Each Mission Day consists of three key moments, where depth, inspiration, and curiosity come together:
Morning Sessions
Held at Natlab, the morning sessions feature a keynote speaker selected by Dutch Design Foundation. This is a space for design professionals and visitors with shared interests to connect, exchange knowledge, expand their networks, and explore new collaborations. The session concludes with a networking lunch.
Afternoon Tours
Participants explore DDW through the lens of one of the five DDW missions. This could be through an organized tour showcasing designers working within the mission or by following a curated list of must-see highlights at their own pace.
Evening Sessions
An in-depth evening programme aligned with the morning discussions. The Mission Days continue at various locations across the city, providing participants with immersive experiences that highlight the relationship between design and the public.
A Different Mission Each Day
Monday, October 20 | Living Environment
Designing for a better quality of life through innovations in urban planning, mobility, and sustainable materials.
Tuesday, October 21 | Thriving Planet
Strengthening the planet’s natural resilience through sustainable design—or at the very least, ensuring that design does not stand in its way.
Wednesday, October 22 | Digital Futures
Exploring and shaping digital realities and futures, from virtual worlds and AI to global platforms and personal digital experiences.
Thursday, October 23 | Health & Well-being
Design that enhances our food, healthcare, happiness, and the most valuable asset we have: our health.
Friday, October 24 | Equal Society
To build an inclusive and fair society, we must (re)design systems and interactions that value everyone. Safety, inclusivity, and connection are at the heart of this mission.
Morning Sessions
A morning programme featuring in-depth events for professionals, brought together at a single location (Natlab, Eindhoven), allowing attendees with shared interests to meet and exchange knowledge and expertise.
Afternoon Tours
An afternoon programme with undivided attention for the DDW exhibitions by related participating designers through an organised tour or self-discovery with a list of tips and highlights.
Evening Sessions
An in-depth evening programme aligned with the morning discussions.
