{"id":11489,"date":"2026-05-14T20:38:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T20:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/11489\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T20:38:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T20:38:12","slug":"melbourne-design-week-to-highlight-how-powerful-design-can-shape-the-way-we-live","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/11489\/","title":{"rendered":"Melbourne Design Week to highlight how powerful design can &#8220;shape the way we live&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/promotions\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Promotion:<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/melbourne-design-week\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Melbourne Design Week<\/a> returns for its tenth edition, spotlighting how the latest in design innovations impacts contemporary life in Australia and internationally. <\/p>\n<p>Organised and curated by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/ngv\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/designweek.melbourne\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Melbourne Design Week<\/a> is the largest design event in Australia. It runs from 14 to 24 May and includes over 400 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/exhibitions-tag\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">exhibitions<\/a>, talks and workshops at various venues across <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/melbourne\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Melbourne<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2326620 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Studio-Shields_2026-Synthesis_UPDATED-852x568.jpg\" alt=\"melbourne design week\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\"   loading=\"lazy\"\/>Studio Shields will present an exhibition <a href=\"https:\/\/designweek.melbourne\/event\/synthesis\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Synthesis<\/a> in the Bishop&#8217;s Parlour at the Abbotsford Convent. Photo credit: Studio Shields<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Melbourne Design Week is a powerful demonstration of how design can be used to shape the way we live \u2013 from the interior of our homes, to the way we eat,&#8221; said Tony Ellwood, director of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ngv.vic.gov.au\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NGV<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In 2026, the programme is an expression of the thoughts, concerns and ideas powering the industry \u2013 and it&#8217;s our privilege to be able to share the talents of our Australian design community with audiences.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2326621 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dean-Norton-Between-Planes-852x479.jpg\" alt=\"Dean Norton \" width=\"2364\" height=\"1330\"   loading=\"lazy\"\/>Dean Norton will present his solo exhibition Between Planes at Hotel House. Image credit: Dean Norton<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 programme will cover diverse disciplines spanning architecture, industrial and interior design, to dining, fitness, technology and products.<\/p>\n<p>It will also spotlight Australian-made products by presenting a series of exhibitions from designers who craft works using locally sourced materials.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2326622 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WAKA_001_Isabel-Avendano-Hazbun-Isabel-Avendano-Hazbun-852x1065.jpg\" alt=\"100 Chairs exhibition\" width=\"1891\" height=\"2364\"   loading=\"lazy\"\/>100 Chairs exhibition, curated by Friends and Associates, will present locally-made chairs, including WAKA by Isabel Avendano-Hazbun. Photo credit: Claire Armstrong<\/p>\n<p>These include 100 Chairs, an exhibition featuring one hundred <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/showroom\/seating\/chairs\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">chairs<\/a> designed and made locally, as well as new project launches from designers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/danielle-brustman\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Danielle Brustman<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.studioshields.com.au\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Studio Shields<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/cultdesign.com.au\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cult<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thomasmaxamstudio.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Thomas Maxam<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deannorton.com.au\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dean Norton<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deannorton.com.au\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tom Fereday<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/skupa.com.au\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SKUPA<\/a> in collaboration with artist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elliatrich.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Elliat Rich<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Across the city, brands, galleries and showrooms will stage various events, including Muji Made, an exhibition presented by Japanese lifestyle brand <a href=\"https:\/\/designweek.melbourne\/event\/muji-made\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Muji Australia<\/a>, which will spotlight the brand&#8217;s iconic products alongside new interpretations by Australian designers.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2326623 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Bianca-Spender-Garments-2-852x1136.jpeg\" alt=\"Lucy McRae\" width=\"1773\" height=\"2364\"   loading=\"lazy\"\/>Lucy McRae will present transformed Bianca Spender garments at the Transformative Repair exhibition at Useful Objects. Photo credit: Traianos Pakioufakis<\/p>\n<p>Skincare brand Aesop will celebrate the interior architecture of some of Australia&#8217;s beauty brands&#8217; most notable Melbourne storefronts.<\/p>\n<p>This includes <a href=\"https:\/\/designweek.melbourne\/event\/hardworking-hands-of-design-in-conversation\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">hosting a conversation<\/a> with Clare Cousins, director at Clare Cousins Architects, and Rodney Eggleston, director at March Studio, the architects behind some of the brand&#8217;s most enduring store designs.<\/p>\n<p>Local gallery <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usefulobjects.com.au\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Useful Objects<\/a> will bring together emerging and established Australian artists, designers and craftspeople, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/lucy-mcrae\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lucy McRae<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/trent-jansen\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trent Jansen<\/a> and Johnny Nargoodah. The Transformative Repair exhibition reinterprets broken objects through innovative approaches to repair and reuse.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2326624 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/JIZAI-ARMS-by-JST-ERATO-Inami-JIZAI-Body-Project-Prototyping-Design-Laboratory-at-The-University-of-.jpeg\" alt=\"Shunji Yamanaka\" width=\"1201\" height=\"1800\"   loading=\"lazy\"\/>Shunji Yamanaka will share his work on prosthetics and robotics in a keynote lecture. Photo credit: Harumi Shimizu<\/p>\n<p>Leading design figures from both home and abroad will be invited to deliver keynote lectures during Melbourne Design Week. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shunjiyamanaka.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Shunji Yamanaka<\/a>, one of Japan&#8217;s most influential industrial designers, will share his vision on prosthetics, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/robotics\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">robotics<\/a> and product design at the <a href=\"https:\/\/ncm.org.au\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">National Communication Museum<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Alison Page, a descendant of the Dharawal and Yuin people, will share her twenty-five-year career exploring how Black design can inform and enrich everyday Australian life at a keynote held at <a href=\"https:\/\/msd.unimelb.edu.au\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Melbourne School of Design<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2326625 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TomKundig_June2025-4602-852x1136.jpg\" alt=\"Tom Kundig\" width=\"1773\" height=\"2364\"   loading=\"lazy\"\/>Architect Tom Kundig will deliver a talk at NGV. Photo credit: Kyle Johnson<\/p>\n<p>American architect <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/tom-kundig\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tom Kundig<\/a> will appear in a talk at NGV, presenting how his well-known residential design projects connect inhabitants to their environment.<\/p>\n<p>To acknowledge Melbourne as a food and sporting destination, this year&#8217;s Melbourne Design Week will also feature dining and fitness-oriented events.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2326626 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Yiaga-Wardle_Anson-Smart_N86-852x639.jpg\" alt=\"Yiaga-Wardle_Anson Smart\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\"   loading=\"lazy\"\/>Local restaurant Yiaga will hold a conversation on designing a dining experience. Photo credit: Anson Smart<\/p>\n<p>At Melbourne&#8217;s newest fine dining restaurant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yiaga.au\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Yiaga<\/a>, a conversation event between executive chef Hugh Allen and architect <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/john-wardle-architects\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">John Wardle<\/a> will explore how design and craft can help create a dining experience.<\/p>\n<p>The week will also include the While Nothing New Tournament, a one-day five-a-side soccer tournament that challenges designers and the public to create <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/football-kits\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">soccer kits<\/a> made from materials recycled from the 2026 Asia Cup.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more about Melbourne Design Week 2026, visit its <a href=\"http:\/\/Designweek.melbourne\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Melbourne Design Week takes place from 14 to 24 May 2026 at venues across Victoria. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/eventsguide\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dezeen Events Guide<\/a> for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.<\/p>\n<p>Partnership content<\/p>\n<p>This article was written by Dezeen for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/tag\/melbourne-design-week\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Melbourne Design Week<\/a> as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/partnerships\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Promotion: Melbourne Design Week returns for its tenth edition, spotlighting how the latest in design innovations impacts contemporary&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11490,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[4275,260,12332,4276,4277],"class_list":["post-11489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-melbourne","tag-exclude-from-apple-news","tag-melbourne","tag-melbourne-design-week","tag-sectionall","tag-sectionpromotions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11489","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11489"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11489\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11490"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11489"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11489"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}