The Prague-based Designblok festival returned for its 27th edition in 2025, focusing on the theme of "Courage" and exploring risk-taking approaches within design, architecture, and art. Running from October 7-12, 2025, the festival addressed innovative design approaches while highlighting projects that seamlessly blend cutting-edge technology with traditional crafts and skills.
This year's festival expanded across multiple prestigious venues throughout Prague, including the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Křižík Pavilions at Výstaviště Praha, Galerie Rudolfinum, and the Queen Anne's Summer Palace at Prague Castle. A major highlight was the launch of Designblok Talks, an inaugural conference co-curated by Dezeen magazine, which took place at The New Spiral cultural center at Prague Exhibition Grounds.
The conference, held during the festival's annual Professionals Day networking event, featured five comprehensive talks including panel discussions on "The Future of Design," "The Future of Prague," and "The Future of Living." Notable keynote speakers included Marius Myking, director of product design at Snøhetta, and renowned designer Erwan Bouroullec. The Future of Design panel, supported by Czech bathroom manufacturer Ravak, was moderated by Dezeen's editorial director Max Fraser and featured designers Cyril Zammit, Patrick Norguet, Lucie Koldová, and Wallpaper magazine's China editor Yoko Choy.
The Future of Living discussion brought together architects Jakub Cigler and Bernard Dubois, fashion designer Jan Černý, Koma Modular's managing director Stanislav Martinec and head of marketing Marie Schüller, and Esty Real Estate partner Jakub Vrzala to forecast upcoming architecture and interior trends. Meanwhile, The Future of Prague panel, moderated by Dezeen co-CEO Benedict Hobson, featured architects Winy Maas, Rozálie Kašparová, and Jan Magasanik discussing urban transformation and their ongoing projects in the city, including Prague airport and the Vltava Philharmonic concert hall.
Myking's keynote presentation highlighted Snøhetta's debut furniture collection, specifically the Array modular seating system created for MDF Italia. Bouroullec showcased his collaboration with Swiss furniture brand Vitra, featuring the Mynt task chair that was displayed during the festival at the Křižík Pavilions. At the Royal Summer Palace, the High Craft exhibition presented a carefully curated selection of designers and producers.
A significant component of the festival was the 11th edition of Designblok Diploma Selection, a showcase and competition for product and fashion design graduates from across Europe. With over 190 projects submitted by nearly 20 universities from 12 countries, 15 product pieces were selected for display at the Museum of Decorative Arts, while 15 fashion designs were featured in a runway show at The New Spiral Na Výstavišti. The distinguished jury comprised curators and directors from Design Museum Gent, the Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts in Lausanne, Switzerland, Fondation Martell, and 3 Days of Design.
Belgian designer Jaron Vandevelde won the product design category for his piece "Woodwormdesign," which explored how humans and nature can collaborate in the creative process. Andrea Rehbein from the Swedish School of Textiles claimed the fashion award for her work "Approximation to the Acrobatics of Flesh." Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola received the Award for Extraordinary Contribution to Global Design, with the award itself crafted from Czech crystal by Jan Plecháč, creative director of glass brand Moser.
The festival also introduced the Designblok for Kids pavilion, featuring an inflatable installation titled "Cloud" by Maxim Velčovský, demonstrating the event's commitment to engaging younger audiences with design and creativity.
"Designblok, with the theme Courage, was for me above all a manifestation of Czech design in the context of the global scene," said festival director Jana Zielinski. "We hosted the largest number of international guests so far and introduced two new formats – the Designblok Talks conference and the Designblok for Kids pavilion – both met with an excellent response from professionals and the public."
Looking ahead, the festival has announced its 2026 theme as "Light," which will encourage participants to explore concepts of hope, truth, and life through design. The 28th edition of Designblok is scheduled to take place from October 6-11, 2026, continuing the festival's tradition of pushing creative boundaries and fostering international collaboration in design, architecture, and art.
