Events
Set the Agenda - Summer 2023
Vicky Stoakes
Communications Director
Set the Agenda – Summer 2023
Summer is officially here. In between the music festivals, and the sports events, there are still a few design-led events to see you through the summer. Take a look at our pick put design and creativity front and centre.
Where will you go this summer?
Young V&A – Bethnal Green, London (from 1st July 2023)
We’re looking forward to the opening of the new Young V&A this summer and its promise to spark creativity ‘now and for the future with a space to imagine, play and design’. Supporting a new generation of designers and creatives, with a dedicated space to spark the imagination of young minds, is something to get excited about.
Opening in time for the summer holidays (perfect if you have small humans in your life) the first event is the Summer Festival (8-9 July) with a programme of family-friendly creative activities. We can also see from the website how they are putting story-telling front and centre of its promise to get those young imaginations going. We can’t wait to see what sort of events they’ll hold in the future.
Manchester International Festival (29 June-16 July 2023) &
Design Festival North (11-13 July 2023)
With more creative businesses and designers per square mile than any other Northern City, Manchester has two major events in the next month celebrating design.
Firstly, the Manchester International Festival, which has a new permanent venue at the Factory International cultural space. This 18-day creative extravaganza melding art and design, with performance and music features some top-drawer events including Yayoi Kusama’s new show You, Me and the Balloons which will launch on opening night in the Castlefield exhibition space.
Design Festival North follows with a 3-day showcase of over 30 leading design brands and companies celebrating the North of England, as a cultural and creative hub. Talks will include themes around ‘design for life – creating a sustainable future’ and health and well-being in the workplace, with a look at designing for inclusion. Each day of the festival closes with a series of networking events for like-minded design loving people.
Brushstrokes to Brands – Museum of Brands London (5 August to 25 November 2023)
This is a real celebration and elevation of everyday brands that live in our homes via ‘en plein air’ and studio painter Steven Smith's creations. The exhibition depicts heritage brands, found in the Museum’s collection (think Heinz and HP Sauce), through still-life oil paintings.
Brand design is fast moving, but seeing classic brands through the eyes of an artist is a refreshing reminder of how brands connect with us through culture and lifestyle. There’s also a number of events for children to take part in and develop their understanding of design, colour, and the use of logos in brands and packaging.
