Held from 14-22 September, the London Design Festival (LDF) once again served as a global hub for innovative design thinking, creative expression and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Spread across multiple venues throughout the capital, the festival showcased a dynamic array of exhibitions, talks and workshops, reflecting the diverse and forward-thinking nature of the design world today.
Now in its 22nd year, the LDF has cemented its status as one of the most significant design events globally, drawing over 600,000 visitors from 75 different countries. This year, around 2,000 designers and design businesses from a wide range of industries – spanning architecture, product design, fashion and technology – came together to present their latest works, ideas and innovations. From large-scale installations to intimate talks, the festival provided a platform for both established and emerging designers to connect, inspire and push the boundaries of contemporary design.
We’re excited to share some of our favourite exhibitions that captured the spirit of creativity and innovation driving this year’s festival – as well as providing valuable insights and inspiration for brands and retailers.
The Sun, My Heart
This evocative installation by designer Marjan van Aubel hosted at Somerset House used specially modified lighting to symbolise our connection with the sun.
A complementary soundscape based on solar recordings from NASA heightened the experience. The eight-minute and 20-second audio journey, mirroring the time sunlight takes to reach Earth, was designed to trigger theta brain waves – associated with deep relaxation and meditation. This created a reflective atmosphere, inviting visitors to contemplate our relationship with the solar system and the sun in particular.
The installation was interactive, with visitors able to engage directly with a sensor which would in turn generate unique compositions of light and sound. The artwork responded to various factors, including the pressure, size, and timing of each visitor’s touch, offering an almost infinite variety of experiences. Each interaction offered a personalised reflection of one’s connection to the sun, deepening the emotional resonance of the exhibit.
Retailers can use lighting to build strong emotional connections with customers in store environments.
Off the Shelf pavilion
Designer Rio Kobayashi teamed up with engineering firm Webb Yates to create his debut pavilion, “Off The Shelf,” drawing inspiration from his childhood home in Japan.
The pavilion’s unique concept centres around sustainability and reuse, using standard off-the-shelf materials such as Douglas fir planks, polycarbonate sheets and PVC. These materials were left completely unaltered, allowing them to be returned to the manufacturers and reused once the installation ends.
To achieve this, the design avoids the use of screws or traditional joints. Instead, engineers employed a post-tensioning system (more commonly used in bridge construction) to securely clamp the components together. This method not only allows for easy disassembly but also minimises waste.
Brands could consider adopting an off the shelf approach for pop-ups and travelling activations, taking a low-impact and reusable approach to materials.
Making Room
Designed by Andu Masebo and Mikey Krzyzanowski, The Making Room exhibition transformed a vacant shop on Brompton Road into an experimental maker’s space.
The interactive exhibition invited visitors to participate in hands-on workshops, where they could create furniture and objects. From building stools to crafting hooks, flower arranging and creative brainstorming sessions, attendees became active contributors to the space.
Throughout the festival’s nine-day run, the objects created during workshops remained in the space, allowing them to be used by future visitors and participants. This approach fostered a sense of communal creativity and showcased the power of collaboration, turning the shop into a living, evolving design studio.
Retailers could consider incorporating elements of customer co-creation within store design, with organised workshops allowing a space for creativity and positive collective brand experiences.
Proof of Concept
The Proof of Concept exhibition showcased the work of 10 emerging multidisciplinary designers, presenting final designs alongside prototypes, sketches and models, revealing the evolution of designs from concept to realisation.
Highlighting elements of the design process and giving a glimpse behind the curtain could be an effective way for brands to showcase their inner workings to customers. It’s an approach that offers plenty of fresh storytelling opportunities while building a sense of trust and authenticity.
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