Prioritizing urban spaces that focus on human needs and experiences

One of the region’s largest design festivals is set to take place in the Krulli Quarter (Kopli 70a), a revitalized industrial area on the northern edge of Tallinn (Estonia). Drawing over 10,000 visitors from the country and beyond, the week-long Tallinn Design Festival will highlight the achievements of both Estonian and international designers, sparking discussions on the role of design in modern society.

The festival will feature the Estonian Design Awards Gala, a highlight of the local design industry, where the winners of the innovative product design award BRUNO will be announced. The program also includes a variety of exhibitions and events, such as an international design conference, PechaKucha lectures, a children’s program, and numerous workshops.

One of the festival’s main attractions, the DOM sustainable fashion show, will present local design brands through a conceptual performance. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore the popular Design Street market and the INTERIOR+ mini fair, showcasing cutting-edge design products, accessories, and interior elements from both Estonia and abroad. Additionally, over 25 satellite venues—museums, galleries, and design studios—will host tours, talks, masterclasses, and other engaging events throughout Tallinn.

“The theme of the festival presents itself every year as if by itself, based on the changes in the air and important trends on the world’s design scene. Last year we chose the impacts of artificial intelligence as a key focus before the widespread adaptation of ChatGTP, this year, however, we move away from technology, going to nature and exciting corners of the urban environment, and looking how creativity and design can be employed to create a truly human-centric living environments, especially in small communities and remote, abandoned places” says Ilona Gurjanova, the Chair of Estonian Association of Designers, the main organizer of the festival.

An international design conference will gather architects, urban planners, designers, and enthusiasts who share a passion for creating sustainable, livable, and aesthetically pleasing environments. The conference will feature inspiring presentations from notable figures such as Cameron Sinclair (USA), Stephan Clambaneva (USA), Spyros Bofylatos (Greece), Kitti Butter (Hungary), among others.

Delegations of designers, urbanists, and researchers from nine countries will visit Tallinn to showcase examples of urban transformations achieved through the four-year EU project “SMOTIES – Creative Works for Small and Remote Places.” The project’s outcomes and methodologies will also be documented in a book, to be launched at the festival.

The Tallinn Design Festival plays a crucial role in positioning Estonia as an emerging design hub. “Our festival is intentionally international, bringing together design-thinkers, makers, and enthusiasts from around the world—from keynote speakers to participants, and curators of exhibitions and workshops, to the jury members of our BRUNO product design awards. While Estonia is largely known for its technology sector, we are gradually gaining recognition for our design as well,” says Evelin Ojamets, Head of Communications for the festival.