Tallinn Design Festival is a significant annual event demonstrating the achievements of designers of Estonia and other countries and actuating discussions about the role of design in modern society. The venues of the festival have often happened to be neglected pearls of architecture becoming the favourites of public afterwards. This time the festival is held at the historical site of Noblessner submarine factory. The creative vitality of the city is assured by intensive programme of satellites. Among the partners there are beside designers both start-up and experienced organisations, manufacturers, educational institutions and other establishments. In collectively composed festival programme one can find formats going deeper into design world, cultural and entertaining events and initiatives promoting design trade.
The programme of the 12th Tallinn Design Festival Design Night (25th Sept – 1st Oct 2017) concentrates on design culture. We expect the festival visitor to renew his design knowledge and experience design as a holistic discipline integrated into our every-day life with its aesthetics and human-centred processes and solutions.
The programme of the festival varies from educative lectures, excursions and workrooms to exhibitions, light installations and fashion. Different target groups, including kids, are involved.
In the Architecture and Design Gallery one can enjoy the exhibition FINEST FURNITURE DESIGN of the Finnish-Estonian tandem of Simo Heikkilä and Toivo Raidmets. Before the final renovation, the Noblessner Foundry develops into the high-spirited design room with different exhibitions, lectures, work-shops, small eateries and prospering design trade at the end of the week. Side by side Estonian and Dutch ceramists Lotte Dowes and Raili Keiv and Estonian and German graphic designers exhibit their design; the presentation of HGDF poster collection and dignified exhibition of calendars from Germany with comments by Prof Gregor Krisztian will take place. The exhibition Design For All is dedicated to the accessibility of living environment; the topics about city bees based on the Poland examples make the audience hum. A poetry corner Under the Attic will give designers possibility to present their own poetry. This year fashion shows focus on environmental-friendly smart fabrics. The winners of the Vegan Fashion competition will be announced and the works of the participants will be exhibited. Smart textiles will try to find answers to questions how can technology-related clothes turn our society into more harmonic one. The unconventional fashion show will introduce young talented designers.
The seminar Design Culture leads us to humanity in design and business. Michael Thomson, a well-known design strategist, Jak Spencer, an expert of inclusive design and Oscar Tomico, a specialist on smart textiles show us the ways to improve the quality of life with the help of design. Jakob Kahlen from Denmark introduces success stories of digital media and branding. Kristian Keinänen, the president of Ornamo and Kristjan Mändmaa discuss about design education and design awareness. Jüri Kermik concentrates on plywood and furniture. Simo Heikkilä discusses about ebbing of hands-on abilities. Thilo von Debschitz offers an interesting study to friends of graphic.
Everyone can participate as a presenter or spectator at PechaKucha Night and lecture „Me, Designer“. This year the benefit from the Design Auction will support the studies of a young Estonian Designer abroad. Design Street and Fashion Cross will be open “for traffic” to communicate with fashion designers and buy good Estonian design.
