Events + Activities
We’ve got lots of amazing free events and activities for you to get involved with, from family drop-ins, to design workshops for newbies, to industry networking. All of our activities and events are free. Most are drop-in, others have spaces to book on a first come-first served basis. Where workshops have limited capacity we’ve included a link so you can book in advance to avoid disappointment.
23–29 September 2024 at Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc
Before the festival
The World Is Beautiful Again: Photo Walk
Sun 15 Sept, 2-4pm
Meet outside Old College Building, Abertay University, Bell Street, DD1 1HG If AI tools could really “fix” problems with the…
Throughout the festival
Print Your Own Clothing with Timorous Beasties
Daily, throughout the festival
Transform clothes, accessories or spare fabrics into your very own pattern-tastic masterpiece at the Timorous Beasties printing table! Just bring…
Make Your Own Beastie
Daily, throughout the festival
Create your own miniature beastie inspired by the creature who lives in the woolly wonderland! Learn how to sew your…
Material Library
Daily, throughout the festival
Gather around the future materials table, immerse yourself in a variety of eco samples, and let your creativity flow as…
Biophilic Design with AdesignStorie
Mon 23 Sept, 2-3pm Wed 25 Sept, 11am-12pm Sun 29 Sept, 11am-12pm
Want to transform your home into an eco-friendly sanctuary? Based on the ideas behind biophilic design, which aims to connect…
Create Your Own Character
Daily, throughout the festival
Design your own non-conforming uniform using hook and loop textiles from local manufacturer Scott & Fyfe! Suitable for families of…
Tuesday
Educators Preview
Tue 24 Sept, 4-6pm
Want to redesign the future? In celebration of UNESCO City of Design Dundee’s 10 year anniversary, join us for an exclusive preview of Scotland’s national…
Wednesday
Introducing Hannah Sabapathy
Wed 25 Sept, 2-2:30pm
Reflecting the festival’s theme of multiplicity, Dundee based designer Hannah Sabapathy will discuss the ongoing element of collage within her practice in this pop-up talk.…
Thursday – Designers Day
Designers Day is a full day of events for those with a professional interest in design. Registration is required for our Designers Breakfast and Design Cultures with Gabriella Bennett. Everything else is drop-in!
Designers Breakfast
Thu 26 Sept, 10.30-11.30am
Join us for anetworking breakfast hosted by the Dundee Design Festival team. Meet like-minded makers and new collaborators at this relaxed session with an introduction…
Designing for Change
Thu 26 Sept, 12-12.40pm
Join Alicia Storie, MATERIALISE designer and founder of AdesignStorie, as she shares her conscious interiors journey and discusses the influential role of design and collective…
Introducing Sonos
Thu 26 Sept, 12:30-2pm
Industrial designers David Keating and Sam Prentice discuss their most recent project – Sonos Ace, the company’s first wearable product. This pop-up talk hopes to…
Design Your Own Lace with MYB Textiles
Thurs 26 Sept, 1-2pm
Join Margo Graham and Sherry Campbell to try your hand at designing lace or Scottish Madras. Participants will learn how lace and Madras are designed…
Fraser Muggeridge: The Craft of Type
Thu 26 Sept, 2-2.40pm
Join us at the main stage for a talk by designer Fraser Muggeridge that investigates the theme of this year’s festival – Multiplicity – through…
Timorous Beasties and Hugo Macdonald: In Conversation
Thu 26 Sept, 3-3.40pm
Join us at the main stage for an insight into the practice of the internationally-acclaimed design studio Timorous Beasties. The Glasgow studio founded by Alistair…
Donna Wilson & Gabriella Marcella: In Conversation (chaired by Stacey Hunter)
Thu 26 Sept, 4-4.40pm
Join us at the main stage for an insight into the multiplicity of ways that MATERIALISE designers Donna Wilson and Gabriella Marcella have evolved without…
Bookends: Celebrating 20 Years of UNESCO Creative Cities
Thu 26 Sept, 5-5.40pm
This year, Edinburgh celebrates its 20th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Literature. In 2004, Edinburgh helped to found the UNESCO Creative Cities Network which…
Design Cultures with Gabriella Bennett
Thu 26 Sept, 6-6.40pm
“Design is the ultimate expression of culture” says Gabriella Bennett. “The places we move through, the meals we eat, the homes we inhabit: all have…
Friday
The World Is Beautiful Again: Workshop
Fri 27 Sept, 10:30am-12:30pm
Join artists Sebastian Schmieg and Lina Schwarzenberg for an introduction to “fixing” images with artificial intelligence and a playful exploration of the limits of AI.…
Kerianne Quick: Points of Synchrony
Fri 27 Sept, 2-2:40pm
Jewellery has long been an essential method of transporting wealth, perfectly combining practicality with cultural and aesthetic expression. Join Associate Professor Kerianne Quick of San…
The World Is Beautiful Again: In Conversation
Fri 27 Sept, 4-4:40pm
Join Dr Martin Zeilinger (Reader in Computational Arts & Technology at Abertay University) for a panel discussion about The World Is Beautiful, with a focus…
The World Is Beautiful Again: Live
Fri 27 Sept, 5-5:40pm
This special interactive event explores whether AI-generated images could be seen as expressions of possibility or spaces that prompt us to question ourselves and our…