About
Welcome
Minister’s Message
Melbourne has built a proud reputation as a city of remarkable design and architecture. As Victorians, design is in our DNA – it’s a way of life. It enables us to extend our capabilities and create exciting solutions to problems that can save time, change minds, improve lives – perhaps even save them.
Melbourne Design Week’s eleven-day program of events and exhibitions will celebrate the diversity and impact of design, while giving local Victorian designers the exposure they deserve. This year’s event will consider how design affects our people, environment, services, culture and economy – and its role as a catalyst for change.
In a world of advanced technology, globalisation, digitalisation and environmental change, our expectations and values are constantly being challenged and redefined.
Design will continue to help us navigate and respond to these issues. That’s why the Victorian Government is investing in strengthening our design industry. Melbourne Design Week is part of that investment and we are very proud to join with the NGV to connect Victorians with the best our industry has to offer.
Martin Foley
Minister for Creative Industries
NGV Director’s Message
Together with the Victorian Government and a dedicated network of supporters and presenting partners, the NGV embraces our role to create opportunities for broad audiences to experience contemporary design.
Design increasingly touches nearly every aspect of our lives. It shapes our devices, homes, services and cities. It defines how we live, work, learn, spend and connect. It affects the ways we behave and frames the ways we experience the world.
As we are entering an unprecedented period of urbanisation, digitisation, social and ecological transformation, the influence and potential of design accelerates. Is it accelerating in the right directions? What is next?
Melbourne Design Week provides an opportunity for Victoria’s design community to come together, to discuss some of these questions. By bringing together people, ideas and experiences over a compelling eleven-day program, we can reach new
audiences and examine together the most interesting trajectories of Victorian design and architecture today.
Tony Ellwood
Director, National Gallery of Victoria
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2018 THEME – DESIGN EFFECTS
Creative Victoria and the NGV launched Melbourne Design Week in 2017 – a major new four-year design initiative conceived as an ambitious and collaborative program that underscores Melbourne’s position as a global design city.
In 2018 Melbourne Design Week looks at the theme Design Effects and delves into the wide reaching nature of design in its broadest sense. From the physical to the creation of experiences, services and identities, it asks: what effect does design have on the environment around us? How is design a catalyst for change?
The 2018 program of exhibitions and events offers diverse perspectives and experiences across a broad range of topics. The common ground is clear – no matter where we work, live or play, life is increasingly shaped by design.
Melbourne Design Week reveals great ideas, innovations, and creative thinking – but it also highlights ways in which design could help us do things better. We hope that you enjoy the program and join the conversation.
Ewan McEoin
Hugh D.T. Williamson Senior Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture, NGV -
CURATORIAL TEAM
Curated and presented by the National Gallery of Victoria
Ewan McEoin, The Hugh D. T. Williamson Senior Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture
Megan Patty, Publications Manager
Donna McColm, Associate Director, Audience Engagement and Learning
Simone LeAmon, The Hugh D. T. Williamson Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture
Jes Wawrzynski, Senior Public Programmer
Timothy Moore, Satellite Program Curator
Myf Doughty, Design Project Officer
Zoe Kirkby, Public ProgrammerAdvisory Panel
Andy Fergus, Urban Designer, City of Melbourne
Claire Beale, National President, Design Institute of Australia
Karen Webster, Design Director, Buzz Products
Lucy Feagins, Founding Editor, The Design Files
Oscar McLennan, General Manager, Startmate
Thibaud Cau-cecile, Director, Denfair -
FAQ
What is Melbourne Design Week?
Melbourne Design Week is an annual program to present, explore and celebrate design, and promote Melbourne as one of the design capitals of the world. Events will occur in galleries, showrooms, studios, museums, markets, bars, warehouses, shops and pop-up venues across Melbourne.
Who organises Melbourne Design Week?
Melbourne Design Week is an initiative funded by Creative Victoria, and curated by the National Gallery of Victoria. Satellite events are individually organised and produced by event partners.
Which design disciplines will be represented?
Design encompasses professions that invent and realise concepts. This may include architecture, industrial and product design, games design, design thinking and artisan production.
What are the dates for 2018?
Melbourne Design Week runs from 15 – 25 March 2018 with many events extending over the month of March.
Where are events being held for Melbourne Design Week?
The program for Melbourne Design Week consists of over 100 events staged by partners across the design community. Events are held all over Melbourne with key events being held at NGV. Please check individual event listings for locations.
Do I need to book tickets?
Most events are open to the public with free entry. Some events have limited capacity so please check individual event listings for booking requirements.
Is there an entry fee?
Most events for Melbourne Design Week are free. Please check individual event listings to confirm admission details.
Can I produce an event for Melbourne Design Week?
Submissions have now closed for individuals and organisations to be part of Melbourne Design Week 2018. To express interest in submitting an event for next year, please contact:
Timothy Moore
ddesignweek@ngv.vic.gov.auWho do I contact regarding Melbourne Design Week?
Melbourne Design Week is coordinated by the National Gallery of Victoria. Please contact:
Timothy Moore
designweek@ngv.vic.gov.auto be part of Melbourne Design Week. For all media opportunities please contact:
Meg Carroll
Senior Coordinatior, Media and Public Affairs
(03) 8620 2347
0407 872 658
meg.carroll@ngv.vic.gov.auCan I get permission to use images?
Yes, please. We have a range of Melbourne Design Week images available for media and publicity. Please contact:
Meg Carroll
Senior Coordinatior, Media and Public Affairs
(03) 8620 2347
0407 872 658
Meg.Carroll@ngv.vic.gov.au -
CONTACT
Melbourne Design Week is coordinated by the National Gallery of Victoria.
To discuss your involvement contact:Timothy Moore
designweek@ngv.vic.gov.auFor all media opportunities please contact:
Meg Carroll
Senior Coordinatior, Media and Public Affairs
(03) 8620 2347
0407 872 658
meg.carroll@ngv.vic.gov.au -
VICTORIAN DESIGN CHALLENGE 2018
Entries for the Victorian Design Challenge close 7 March 2018.In partnership with VicHealth, NGV’s inaugural Victorian Design Challenge invites designers to form multi-disciplinary teams and respond to the question: “How might we increase the resilience of today’s young people?”
Part of the newly developed Victorian Design Program, funded by Creative Victoria and NGV, the Victorian Design Challenge is run as a two stage open competition.
Stage One will culminate in teams being shortlisted during Melbourne Design Week (15–25 March) with the winning team in Stage Two announced following a live Challenge Final on 2 June 2018 at NGV International.
A prize of $30,000 will be awarded to the winning team to help fund further development and prototyping of their design.
The Victorian Design Challenge is supported by Creative Victoria and VicHealth.
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NGV TRIENNIAL
Melbourne Design Week 2018 coincides with the inaugural NGV Triennial of Contemporary Art and Design. Featuring the work of over 100 artists and designers from 32 countries, the NGV Triennial surveys the world of art and design, across cultures, scales, geographies and perspectives.A free exhibition, the NGV Triennial is a celebration of contemporary art and design practice that traverses all four levels of NGV International, as well as offering a rich array of programs.
The NGV Triennial explores cutting edge technologies, architecture, animation, performance, film, painting, drawing, fashion design, tapestry and sculpture.
Visitors have an opportunity to look at the world and its past, present and future through the eyes of some of the most creative minds working today. -
Melbourne Design Week 2017
The NGV Department of Contemporary Design and Architecture is generously supported by The Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation.