How is the young generation of designers shaping the perpetual transformation in this increasingly complex era? What are their dreams – or their fears – and how do they express them? Beautiful, useful and durable? Discover it in their striking works, diverse concepts, and engaged future scenarios.
The projects ranged from practical innovations to philosophical reflections. For instance, Katharina Ammann in collaboration with Disnovation.org, presented The Solar Share, a production lab for growing spirulina algae using solar energy, offering a new perspective on energy, economy, and ecology. Lilou Angelrath and Réiltín O’Hagan showcased Mnemotope Magazine, an inclusive publishing platform that collects diverse stories from around the world, challenging traditional literary norms. Kiki Astner critically examined the effectiveness of carbon offsetting through forest conservation in her project Tonne für Tonne, proposing alternative strategies based on scientific monitoring and local community engagement. Dana Elmi Sarabi's No Shoes on the Carpet reclaims the cultural significance of Persian carpets, transforming them into symbols of resistance and creativity within the Iranian diaspora. Kasia Łukaszuk's interactive game The Trust Paradox explores the evolving relationship between humans and technology, questioning our trust in AI systems. Céleste Muir's Precious Little Rocks turns ceramic glaze waste into contemporary gemstones, challenging perceptions of waste and value. Jules Péan's New Rocks creates new stones from industrial waste, mimicking geological processes to highlight sustainable material cycles. Lotte Schoots' I Spy … uses traditional wood imitation painting techniques to create patterns that blur the line between natural and artificial, prompting viewers to reconsider material authenticity. Ieva Valule's Y’all Got adHD immerses audiences in the chaotic reality of a graphic designer navigating ADHD in a productivity-obsessed society, using satire to critique cultural narratives around mental health. Together, these projects offer a rich and critical perspective on design as a tool for emancipation, speculation, and practical solutions for the world of tomorrow.
Besides, discover the next step of the Back to the Flax collective (DAE students followed by Kazerne Foundation over multiple years) and the artworks by Nora Tholhuijsen and Sjef Voets, presented by Contempo Gallery, in the former stables of the historic heritage site.
The Kazerne Design Award is an incentive prize for recent alumni of Design Academy Eindhoven. The jury honors the nominees with an exhibition and the winner with €5,000, made possible by Rotary Club Eindhoven-Soeterbeek.
The Award Show, including presentations by all nominees, can be rewatched via Kazerne’s YouTube channel.
The exhibition featuring the nominees’ work and more is on show at Kazerne until the end of September, free of charge. You are warmly welcome!