#Taiwan #Taipei #Taiwan Design Week #DESIGN NEXT #TDRI

Taiwan Design Week 2025: Designing the Future

The highly anticipated Taiwan Design Week returns for its third edition, scheduled from November 29 to December 7, 2025, at the vibrant Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei. This year's theme, DESIGN NEXT, provokes thought on how design can actively influence a shared future amidst the rapid pace of social, technological, and environmental changes.

Organized by the Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI), this event not only promises to showcase cutting-edge design but also marks a significant moment in the global design community as it coincides with the IASDR 2025 conference—an event returning to Taiwan for the first time in two decades. TDRI President, Chi-Yi Chang, emphasizes this integration between academia and real-world application, stressing Taiwan's pivotal role in the global design narrative.

The DESIGN NEXT exhibition curated by Archicake features 27 unique projects from 31 design teams. Each project underscores innovative concepts surrounding cultural storytelling, democratic technology, and future urban resilience. Noteworthy installations include the Sunset Town Virtual Music Festival, which integrates arts and technology, and 1 House for All, a zero-carbon modular housing initiative, underscoring the commitment to sustainability.

A highlight of the week is the Taiwan–Czech 3×3 Design Talk on December 3, where six designers from both nations will engage in discussions about interdisciplinary innovation, sustainability, and creating inclusive futures. Following this, on December 5, the Design Industry Forum will gather leaders from influential organizations like IDSA, BMW DesignWorks, and MVRDV to delve into pressing topics like future mobility, intelligent green practices, and the co-design of sustainable urban environments.

Taiwan Design Week will also feature the prestigious Golden Pin Design Award, which serves as Asia's top accolade for design excellence. The jury boasts an international collective of eminent figures, including Uwe Cremering from iF Design and Francine Houben of Mecanoo, alongside renowned Taiwanese designer Liu Kai. Their evaluations will spotlight exceptional talents and innovative designs that redefine contemporary aesthetics and functionality.

The dialogues and exhibitions presented during Taiwan Design Week 2025 aim to propel an inclusive conversation about design's role in shaping the future, with showcases running through early 2026. It positions Taipei on the global stage as a hub for research, creativity, and industry collaboration, encouraging visitors and participants alike to not wait passively for the future, but actively engage in its design today. As the world grapples with change, Taiwan's Design Week invites everyone to be a part of this transformative journey, illustrating that the future can indeed be crafted through innovative design.