After the last two tumultuous years that saw festivals and events fall to the wayside, we’re thrilled this year’s Melbourne Design Week will bring these creative forces back into the spotlight with its spectacular 2022 program!

The annual showcase is making a triumphant return, with a jam-packed program offering more than 300 engaging talks, tours, exhibitions, launches, installations and workshops across its 11 days.

The theme last year was ‘design the world you want’ and in 2022, this call-to-action extends to themes of ‘civic good’ and ‘making good’. It’s all about exploring and celebrating how the industry can work towards a better future.

The program will shine an important spotlight on Indigenous and First Nations design with Holding Space; a series of breakfast conversations presented by Agency Projects at the Collingwood Yards. This five-day event (starting March 21) will hear from creatives Jenna Lee, Hannah Presley, Lisa Waup, Peta Clancy, and Kait James. Similarly, Exchange: Recent First Nations Engagement And Collaborations With JamFactory, is another collaborative exhibition featuring furniture, ceramics, metal and glass pieces created by First Nations artists and the makers of not-for-profit JamFactory.

Some of our fave female artists, designers and architects (who you might recognise from many stories on TDF over the years !) will be on show too. Up to Us will bring together 22 female creatives we know and love, including illustrator Beci Orpin, Melbourne-based ceramicist Ella Reweti, Fatuma and Laurinda Ndenzako of Collective Closets and more for the unmissable exhibition at Le Space Gallery in Collingwood.

FOND is another must-see at the top of our list (featuring an installation of dreamy handcrafted objects by Tantri Mustika and textile designer Megan McNeill) as is a visit to Revival Projects’ sustainable repurposing hub – but watch this space for more detailed info on these soon!

Meanwhile, Cult Design’s fundraiser, The Chairity Project is back at MDW with 18 creatives re-imaging HAY’s iconic Result Chair. The interpretations will be exhibited and sold at auction from March 17 – April 3, with the full proceeds shared between five charities; Cancer Council, Australian Red Cross, Vinnies, Greening Australia and Gunawirra.

And last but not least, explore the Inaugural Melbourne Design Fair’s showcase of contemporary design, or wander the in-person stalls at NGV’s Great Hall for the Melbourne Art Book Fair! There will also be a winner announced on March 17 for the Mercedes Benz Melbourne Design Week Award, which acknowledges an outstanding contribution to the event that best responds to its theme – so watch this space! 

Melbourne Design Week runs from March 17 – March 27. See the full program here!