Set the Agenda - Winter 2025 (design events to get inspired by)

Set the Agenda Winter

The nights are longer, the scarves are out, and the winter months bring a cozy yet electrifying energy to the design world. This season, the calendar is packed with events that promise to ignite inspiration - from immersive exhibitions to cutting-edge showcases across Europe and beyond.

What does your winter of design look like?

Wes Anderson: The Archives – Design Museum, London – now until July 2026

The first UK retrospective of director Wes Anderson offers designers an unparalleled glimpse into the meticulous craft behind his films, with over 700 objects from his personal archives on display. From storyboards, sketches, and handwritten notebooks to costumes, miniature models, and stop-motion puppets, the exhibition reveals how Anderson’s obsessive attention to detail and distinctive visual style shape some of cinema’s most iconic and emotionally resonant worlds - from The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Royal Tenenbaums to Fantastic Mr. Fox and Isle of Dogs. For designers, it’s a rare opportunity to explore the blend of traditional craft and innovative storytelling that continues to influence film, design, and visual culture.

Design & Disability, V&A London – until 15 February 2026

This exhibition showcases the radical contributions of Disabled, Deaf, and neurodivergent people to contemporary design and culture from the 1940s to now. It shows how Disabled people have designed for every aspect of life through their own experience and expertise, tracing the political and social history of design and disability. 170 objects are on display – spanning design, art, architecture, fashion, and photography. The exhibition also explores the rich history of Disabled designers challenging ableism in the design industry, as well as the practitioners working today to 'hack' pre-existing design to make it more usable.

Science Fiction Design: From Space Age to Metaverse – Vitra Design Museum, Germany – now until May 2026

Science Fiction Design: From Space Age to Metaverse invites designers to explore how imaginative futures have continually shaped real-world creativity. Featuring over 100 objects in a striking display by Andrés Reisinger, the exhibition traces the influence of science fiction on design - from early literary visions to the bold forms of the 1960s Space Age and today’s metaverse-born creations. With iconic pieces seen in films like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner the show highlights how technologies such as CAD and 3D printing are redefining futuristic aesthetics. For designers seeking fresh inspiration and insight into how speculation drives innovation, this exhibition is a must-see.

Art of Noise – Cooper Hewitt, NYC – Feb 13 to July 2026

This winter, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum invites visitors to experience “Art of Noise,” an exploration of how design has shaped the way we connect with music over the last century. Featuring over 300 iconic works - from concert posters and album art to groundbreaking audio devices - the exhibition showcases the innovation, nostalgia and emotion embedded in the objects that define our musical lives. Enhanced by immersive sound installations the show offers a rare chance to step inside exquisitely crafted listening environments. Adapted specially to honor New York’s rich musical history, “Art of Noise” is a must-see event for design lovers, audiophiles and anyone curious about the powerful interplay between sound, memory and creativity.

My Life in Design Podcast live at Pentawards Festival, Paris Packaging Week – 5 February 2026

For the first time ever, a live podcast will take the stage at the Pentawards Festival x Paris Packaging Week. Claire Blyth, Founder of Red Setter PR and Host of My Life in Design, will sit down with award-winning designer Davide Mosconi, Partner and Executive Creative Director at Auge Design for an in-depth conversation. A recording of the podcast will be available after the event.