Mark your calendars, because from 15 to 25 May 2025, Melbourne and regional Victoria will once again become the epicentre of creativity and innovation with the return of Melbourne Design Week. Celebrated as Australia’s largest and most influential annual design festival, Melbourne Design Week offers eleven dynamic days of exhibitions, talks, workshops and events which showcase the best in local and international design. This highly anticipated event is a must for designers, industry professionals, and design enthusiasts alike.
This year marks the ninth edition of the festival, and expressions of interest are now officially open for designers, studios, and collectives eager to be part of this extraordinary celebration of design. From bold ideas to groundbreaking projects, participants are encouraged to propose events, exhibitions, and more for inclusion in the state-wide program. Don’t dawdle, though – expressions of interest close on Monday 20 January 2025.
A National Platform for Design Excellence
Melbourne Design Week is more than just an event; it’s a pivotal national platform that brings together designers, businesses, and creative minds to engage, inspire and connect. With its reach extending from the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) to ateliers, boutiques, galleries, public gardens, and even regional spaces, the festival provides unique access to Victoria’s diverse design community.
Thanks to the support of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, and the NGV’s leadership, the festival has seen phenomenal growth. What began in 2017 with fewer than 100 programs has transformed into a cultural juggernaut, featuring over 350 events in 2024 alone. Last year, more than 100,000 visitors attended the festival, cementing its status as Australia’s design highlight.
Spotlight on the Melbourne Art Book Fair
Running alongside Melbourne Design Week is the popular Melbourne Art Book Fair, which this year celebrates its 11th anniversary. Taking place from 16 to 18 May 2025, this event pays homage to Melbourne’s recognition as a UNESCO City of Literature, shining a light on the world of publishing, writing, and design.
Since its launch in 2015, the Art Book Fair has brought together publishers, designers, and creators to debut and showcase some of the region’s most exceptional print works. Its centrepiece, the Stallholder Fair, will once again be hosted beneath Leonard French’s iconic cut-glass ceiling in the NGV’s Great Hall. This lively marketplace offers visitors the chance to explore and purchase unique printed matter, ranging from books to zines, from both local and international talents.
Get involved
Whether you are an aspiring designer or a dedicated design aficionado, Melbourne Design Week and the Melbourne Art Book Fair promise to redefine the way you see the world. With doors open for expressions of interest, now is your chance to be part of these extraordinary events. Submissions for both the design festival and the art book fair close on 20 January 2025.
For further details, head to designweek.melbourne or contact designweek@ngv.vic.gov.au.
Put on your best pair of glasses and get ready – a spectacular showcase of creativity awaits in May 2025.