London Design Festival's 22nd edition will take place 14 - 22 September 2024. We're taking a peek into this year's programme. On June 20, the LDF24 First Look event took place at One Hundred Shoreditch, gathering designers and curators to discuss what attendees can anticipate in September.
Each year, the Festival spotlights pressing themes and trends influencing the industry. Alongside sustainability, AI, and inclusivity, the concept of play has emerged as a significant global trend in the creative sector. Designers are exploring the multifaceted nature of play, examining its conceptual integrity and celebrating its diverse manifestations in everyday life.
Material Matters. Photo: Sophie Mutevelian.
Ben Evans, LDF director, set the stage by providing insights into London's current design landscape. The evening featured unveilings of Landmark Projects, Festival Commissions, Design Districts, the 2024 identity by Pentagram, and more.
'The 2024 Festival promises to be another exceptional year. The line-up will present fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that will captivate and inspire our audiences. Importantly, the Festival continues to champion inclusivity and provides vital platforms for emerging talent. We take pride in expanding the reach of designers and creative businesses, affirming design's profound impact on society,' says Ben Evans.
Landmark projects
London Design Festival, in collaboration with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), will showcase 'Vert' at Chelsea College of Art's Parade Ground. Designed by Diez Office in partnership with OMC°C, 'Vert' proposes a sustainable architectural solution using red oak glulam to cool urban environments, create green spaces, and enhance biodiversity.
Constructed primarily from red oak sourced from naturally regenerating North American forests, the project advocates for diverse timber sourcing and sustainable construction practices.
Left: Vert by AXEX x Diez Office. Right: Duo by Malek Zeynep.
Festival commissions
The 'Power Out of Restriction' project by POoR Collective, in collaboration with Battersea Power Station, involves community-inspired installations for a new riverside neighborhood. Winners of the Emerging Design Medal will work with local school children and youth groups to create public art displayed in Battersea Power Station's Turbine Hall A.
Craft x Tech
At the V&A's Prince Consort Gallery, 'Craft x Tech' bridges traditional Japanese craftsmanship with contemporary technology. Designers and artists collaborate with master craft producers from Japan's Tohoku region to reinterpret centuries-old traditions.
LDF at V&A Museum
The V&A will host thought-provoking installations exploring global cultures and material explorations through craft. Projects include Giles Tettey Nartey's 'Communion,' which reimagines Ghanaian culinary traditions, and the 'Un-Hide: Reframing Luxury' series by Modular by Mensah, which challenges perceptions of leather as a sustainable luxury material.
Design districts
Spread across London, the 11 Design Districts—such as Battersea, Brompton, and Shoreditch—offer diverse events and exhibitions within walking distance of each other.
Global Design Forum
Celebrating its 10th year at the V&A, the Global Design Forum will tackle critical challenges in design today, with themes including responsible design, urban resilience, and the intersection of human and non-human entities.
This year's London Design Festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of creativity, innovation, and inclusivity, reinforcing London's status as a global hub for design excellence.
More information:
London Design Festival
[email protected]
www.londondesignfestival.com