Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) has opened a national call for designers, studios and organisations to contribute to Irish Design Week 2025, which will run from November 17 to 21.
Proposals for events, exhibitions or talks should reflect this year’s theme of “The Ties that Tie, and the Links that Link.”
DCCI said that as part of today’s call, funding is available for selected events.
Successful applicants will not only receive financial support, but will also benefit from nationwide visibility as part of this year’s Irish Design Week campaign, it added.
Irish Design Week is now in its fourth year and this year’s event will focus on what comes next and how Irish design can lead in areas such as sustainability, technology, storytelling and social impact, while staying rooted in the values of collaboration and craft.
Since its launch in 2022, Irish Design Week attracts some of the leading international design voices to Ireland, including Irish-American fashion designer KidSuper, Canadian designer Bruce Mau, Design Museum London CEO Tim Marlow and climate expert David King.
The full programme for this year will be announced in October, with the flagship events once again hosted at the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) in Dublin.
Mary Blanchfield, CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, said that Irish Design Week has quickly become a national stage for the power of design as a source of inspiration and as a problem-solving force that can address critical challenges from climate change to housing.
“In just a few short years, we’ve seen the week bring together remarkable talent, spark collaborations, and influence conversations well beyond the design sector,” she said.
“This year’s theme invites designers, studios, and organisations to take part in shaping a future where Irish design continues to innovate, connect, and make an impact at home and internationally,” she added.
Tom Watts, Head of Design with DCCI, said that design is no longer just about what we make, it’s about how we connect, how we feel, and how we share stories.
“Irish Design Week gives designers a platform to tell the stories behind their work: the inspiration, the process, and the purpose,” he said.
“Whether you’re hosting a workshop, launching a prototype, or opening your studio to the public, if your event reflects the power of design to connect and create change, we want to hear from you. Through the funding available, there’s real opportunity to bring your ideas to life,” he added.
Emmett Scanlon, Director of the Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF), said the IAF is thrilled to be part of Irish Design Week again as architecture is a deeply collective and collaborative design practice.
“The built world is a reflection of our values, who we are, and how we are all connected. Therefore, we look forward to discussing architecture in the context of the 2025 theme this November,” he added.
Applications are now open via www.IrishDesignWeek.ie with the deadline for submissions set for 5pm on Friday September 12.
DCCI Irish Design Week is funded by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment through Enterprise Ireland.
