Ready to kick off 10 days of creativity-inducing action? Running May 10-20, the NYCxDESIGN 10th anniversary festival will feature hundreds of events across six design disciplines: architecture, digital + technology, graphics + branding, interior design, outdoors, and product design. Here, we present 10 can’t-miss NYCxDESIGN happenings across the city’s five boroughs.
1. NYCxDESIGN Opening Party
Commence the prestigious celebration of design in style with the festival’s opening party at The Landing in 1 PENN. The May 10 event, which is open to the public, begins with the NYCxDESIGN Awards, hosted by Interior Design editor-in-chief Cindy Allen. The fun continues into the evening with a special soundscape curated by design mastermind Rodolfo Agrella, as well as digital screens by artist and designer Rich Tu.
2. Exhibitions
From artist Yuko Nishikawa’s “Memory Functions” to architect Lee F. Mindel’s “Veritas” furniture and lighting exhibition, presented by Ralph Pucci, there’s a wide array of exhibitions to add to your agenda this year. Other must-sees include the “Flower Craft” exhibition by the Museum of Art and Design, which highlights the imaginative creations of floral designers.
3. Installations + Experiences
Anchored in Times Square, the ever-popular Design Pavilion draws festival guests with experiential installations. Make sure to stop by FILTER’s chapel-like renewable, sustainable structure that invites passersby to pause amid a hectic day, or explore the design activism messaging of the Pop Up/Drop Off exhibit by Pratt Institute students. After that, escape the bustle of Midtown and head either downtown or to DUMBO for the unveiling of the winning IMPACTxDESIGN installations. The competition, launched last spring in partnership with Caesarstone, invited designers to pitch proposals for outdoor installations where the public can gather for years to come.
4. Product Launches, Showroom Openings + Retail
Celebrate the latest in lighting, furniture, ceramics, luxury bedding and more with a host of product launches and retail events hosted virtually and in person across the city’s five boroughs. Check out the IC Store by WantedDesign, the Atelier Alain Ellouz open showroom, Studio Melrose launch, and The Together We Thrive Bed-Stuy Black Design Market.
5. Open Studio Crawls
See how the makers of your favorite designs craft their products. These guided walking tours take you inside ceramic studios, manufacturing facilities, experiential design firms and more. Pick from open studio crawls in Red Hook, Long Island City, the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Harlem, and Flatiron. Purchase your tickets here.
6. The Responsibility of Design
NYCxDESIGN and Laura Kohler, of Kohler Co., will be on set at the Kohler Experience Center for a live recording of NYCxDESIGN’s “The Mic” podcast. Dubbed “The Responsibility of Design,” the special series will feature conversations with guests including Claire Welsz, founding principal of WXY; Suchi Reddy, founder of Reddymade Architecture & Design; and Michael Chen, principal of Michael K. Chen Architecture will center around designing for wellbeing, environment and community. Sessions are fully booked, but you can add your name to the wait list. (And make sure to listen when the episode airs on “The Mic.”)
7. DRINKxDESIGN
Stop for a drink at select design-centric bars and eateries across the city. Created in partnership with Eater and Punch, this convivial NYCxDESIGN affair is serving up creative cocktails at places like Dear Irving on Hudson, Llama San in Greenwich and As You Are in Brooklyn. Learn about each libation’s design story while enjoying the best of the city’s culinary scene. Reserve your spot for a special happy hour.
8. ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan
Enter contemporary design mecca at the Javits Center. From May 15-17, ICFF and WantedDesign Manhattan take a look at the industry’s most innovative furnishings, designs, trends and introductions. Expand your knowledge base with panels by the industry’s leading visionaries as they discuss all things color, sustainability, process, inspiration and more.
9. Curated Itineraries
Not sure where to start? Let the pros decide for you. Explore six event tracks curated by the NYCxDESIGN team. Whether you want to approach events from a diversity and inclusivity POV, discover what’s new and next in the sustainability arena, or get a behind-the-scenes look at how spaces and products come to life, there’s something for you.
10. Virtual Happenings + Auction
Couldn’t make it into the city this year? There’s no reason to miss out. NYCxDESIGN is bringing back self-guided journeys that allow users to explore the city’s creative hubs—which this year include Harlem, Clinton Hill + Fort Greene, and Nomad + Flatiron—from the comfort of their screens. Additionally, interested parties can partake in this year’s auction, launched in partnership with Artsy, during which a variety of design pieces from the city’s top talent will be up for grabs.
SANDOW, the operator of NYCxDESIGN, is the parent company of Luxe Interiors + Design as well as other luxury publications and innovators including Interior Design, Metropolis, and ThinkLab.
