Singapore Design Week 2018 Guide: March Through The Most Happening Party In Town

In a UNESCO Creative City of Design like Singapore, it’s undeniable that design is integral to our daily lives. That said, if you don’t already know, the fifth edition of the annual Singapore Design Week (SDW) – dubbed ‘A March of Design’ – commences from 5 March 2018.

This year, SDW is making great strides with never-before-seen breadth and depth of partnerships. A record eight out of nine key programmes are helmed by new and longtime industry partners of DesignSingapore Council (Dsg). Events range from conferences and masterclasses to immersive street parties and large-scale installations. There is something for everyone, no matter where you are.

You heard us right, Singapore Design Week is held across the island and you may even catch them at your doorstep if you’re lucky.

This is a great opportunity to fully immerse ourselves and truly experience what it’s like to live and breathe the vibrancy of a UNESCO Creative City of Design. A multitude of events will take place during SDW, so trust us when we say you wouldn’t want to miss out.

Free your calendar as we highlight keys events you won’t want to miss.

SingaPlural 2018

Where: National Design Centre, near National Library

When: 5 – 18 March, 9am – 9pm

As one of the anchor events of SDW 2018, SingaPlural will feature renowned creative brands from all around the world, including works by local studio Trigger Design and Europe’s leading textile design manufacturer Kvadrat.

Brainstorm Design

Where: Mandarin Oriental Hotel

When: 6 – 8 March

A three-day conference newly implemented this year, Brainstorm Design is led by the international editorial teams from TIME, Wallpaper and Fortune. The conference is a platform for leaders, business executives, entrepreneurs, and government leaders to discuss the power of design and its importance in international businesses.

Experts in various aspects of design are invited to speak at this year’s conference, including renowned industry veterans like Kristina Blahnik, Tom Dixon, Lee Seow Hiang, and many others. It’ll also examine how these successful designers collaborate with global firms, giving insight to people interested in a wide range of design-related careers, from hospitality and tourism to education and transport.

Those who wish to learn more about design and its relations to various occupational sectors may want to participate too.

International Furniture Fair Singapore 

Where: Singapore Expo Hall 3 to 6

When: 8 – 10 March, 9.30am – 6pm (for trade visitors only)

11 March: 9.30am – 5pm (for trade visitors only), 12pm – 5pm (general public)

For the first time, IFFS is partnering Tanke to present ‘Carte Blanche’. Chantal Hamaide, founder of French design magazine Intramuros, will design an exclusively-styled pop-up showroom, showcasing up-and-coming brands looking to penetrate the global furniture, lighting, homeware and lifestyle accessories market at the Piazza.

The Piazza will serve as the focal point of IFFS 2018, and also host the Design x Business Seminars.

Wallpaper* Handmade 2018

Where: Red Dot Design Museum

When: Hours TBA

The Wallpaper* Handmade 2018 event will include seven pieces designed by Singaporean designers, namely Studio Juju, Stolen, Theseus Chan, Olivia Lee, Gabriel Tan Studio, WOHA as well as a debut piece by Wallpaper* Handmade’s Next Generation Singapore Designer, Edmund Zhang.

The latter will be exhibited at Milan Design Week later this year.

The up-and-coming designer is also a recent industrial design graduate from National University of Singapore (NUS), who won the Next Generation Designer Call Out competition with his ‘squeezy’ lamp, a simple desktop LED application that illuminates with a squeeze and gradually dims to a pleasing, therapeutic glimmer.

Market of Artists And Designers

Where: iLight Marina Bay (outside Red Dot Design Museum)

When: 9 – 11 March, 16 – 18 March, 3pm onwards

MAAD showcases original works by numerous artists and designers from all over Asia. And, of course, let’s not forget about the iLight itself (which, by the way, involved loads of designing too!).

Numerous workshops will be held during the first two weekends of the iLight festival including a Zentangle Art Workshop – a fun and relaxing method to creating beautiful images using only structured patterns. You can also put on your green hands in a Paper Plant Ball Workshop where you learn how to grow plants from paper seed balls made from recycled paper.

Design Trails

Where: The City Ramble Design Trails

When: 10 – 11 March, 10am – 6pm

The City Ramble Design Trails includes guided and curated tours, and are ideal for heritage-lovers who wish to learn more about our local culture and heritage sites. Do note that there are fixed times and ticket prices for tours.

This year, The City Ramble Design Trails is revamped into three parts: The City Ramble Stories, The City Ramble Heritage and The City Ramble Process. The City Ramble Stories aims to share stories about design places in Singapore that have inspired the young and creative under the age of 35. These stories will be published in an Urban Guide which you can purchase at a small fee to explore the city at your own pace!

The City Ramble Heritage is a ticketed tour (priced at $70) led by professional designers and heritage experts who will shed light on the rich architectural heritage we have in Singapore.

The City Ramble Process grants you exclusive access to the place where it all starts. Participants get a chance to go behind the scenes to experience the design processes first-hand.

Last but not least, we have…

District Activations

As these districts come alive, there will be everything you need: pop-up stores, designer open houses, street parties… you name it.

Design District Dialogue

Where: Holland Village

When: 10 – 18 March, 12pm – 10pm

Highlights: This district activation will feature 50 homegrown creative businesses and brands coming together in one location over the 10-day activation. You must check out the 10 terrace houses at Chip Bee Gardens featuring lifestyle furniture by Grafunkt and Snug Lifestyle, and enjoy a host of activities and experiences specially crafted for this occasion.

Singapore Urban Design Festival

Where: Tanjong Pagar/ Chinatown

When: 14 – 18 March, opening hours TBA

Highlights: This first-of-its-kind, five-day program is completely dedicated to urban design and the growing global movement in placemaking and the activation of public spaces. This festival will feature temporary installations, an international summit, workshops and cultural activities aimed at activating the public space and engaging both professionals such as designers, architects and developers, as well as citizens.

Check out these areas at the Sound Tunnel @ Duxton Plain Park Underpass and Urban Ventures along Keong Saik Road.

BBB Arts Sprawl

Where: Bras Basah and Bugis precinct

When: 16 – 17 March, 4pm – 10pm

Highlights: Organized by the National Heritage Board (NHB), this two-day event is a regular event series where a subzone is activated for each edition of the event. The Bras Basah.Bugis Arts Sprawl x Singapore Design Week edition celebrates the vibrant and bustling arts and heritage district through an array of exciting programmes within the sub-zones of Bras Basah.Bugis.

Check out the variety of activities ranging from performances, art workshops, art market, interactive installations and many more.

With this many events, there’s definitely something for everyone. Whether you’re a student, a designer or an entrepreneur, you’re sure to find something that suits your interests. Even if you’re here just to meet the 60-odd thought leaders, the renowned local and/or international designers, or just to buy something from the pop-up stores, SDW 2018 is definitely worth a visit this March.

For more info, do check out SDW’s websites for live updates:

Official website  www.designsingapore.org/sdw

Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/designsingaporecouncil

Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/designsingapore/