3daysofdesign 2026: The essence of design and the value of the present

Denmark, known worldwide as a design nation, hosts 3daysofdesign, the official design festival and Copenhagen Design Week. Each year, innovative ideas are presented across a wide range of design disciplines, from museum and gallery classics to alternative, experimental, avant-garde, and contemporary works.

3daysofdesign is distinguished by an intimate atmosphere that prioritizes presence over products, with multisensory and immersive experiences that foster personal revelations. Its aim is to connect people from different cultures and continents through fascinating concepts that appeal to a collective awareness of the planet.

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The theme of 3daysofdesign 2026, “Make This Moment Matter,” explores the importance of being present, which implies the urgent need to define a purpose, a why. In the realm of design, a project without purpose is “static,” but a design imbued with meaning and emotion does matter: it involves choosing materials that don’t harm the planet, creating interiors that enhance well-being, and building communities that foster a sense of belonging.

“Make This Moment Matter” is a positive form of empowerment that encourages people to create something with a meaningful purpose. As a design community, we have the resources to make a difference. We have each other. Creating requires courage, and I hope that “Make This Moment Matter” will inspire designers to be proactive and take action even without having all the answers.  Signe Byrdal Terenziani, Executive Director and CEO of 3daysofdesign.

The visual identity for this theme is the work of the design studio and exhibition space On Display, a collective of emerging and interdisciplinary creatives. Founded by Anders Gerning, Marie Heissel, and Tor S. Johannesen.

It consists of two elements fused into a collage. A poetic still life of a black lily in a vase with an Origami Teller superimposed on it. The juxtaposition of stillness and movement, reality and reflection, evokes a sense of anticipation, alluding to the instant between past and future. Symbolized by the Origami Teller, a playful and universal object that poses questions with answers hidden within, which open to reveal them.

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The motto for 2026, "Make this moment matter," is about finding the balance between being fully present in the now and being aware of how our decisions affect the environment. 3daysofdesign has a warm and welcoming atmosphere and is open for everyone to explore.

It is a dynamic festival that is constantly evolving without losing its essence. It attracts design enthusiasts, industry professionals and international press, who come to 3daysofdesign to celebrate creativity, connect with like-minded people and be inspired by thought leaders and change agents with innovative ideas that challenge the status quo.

Source: 3daysofdesign 

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