There is a vibrant energy surrounding New York – a mix of lights, sounds, and colors that creates an atmosphere of contagious excitement, but also a blend of styles, cultures, and dreams that inspires and opens up new perspectives. It is this setting that shapes NYCxDESIGN, an event that perfectly reflects the spirit of the city and amplifies it for an entire week. Through exhibitions, installations, talks, and tours, the festival has become one of the leading international events over time, bringing together more than 163,000 designers, innovators, industry leaders, and enthusiasts. Its program includes hundreds of events unfolding across New York’s five boroughs. These are the remarkable figures behind the new edition of NYCxDESIGN, taking place from May 14 to 20, guided by the theme “Design Connects Us.”
“NYCxDESIGN represents a global platform that highlights the ideas, talent, and innovation that make New York City such an influential destination in the design world, as well as the city with the highest per capita concentration of creatives in the world,” says Ilene Shaw, executive director of the event.
NYCxDESIGN_ Keynote
Throughout the week, New York’s vast design ecosystem comes to life, attracting participants from across the city and beyond. Major names such as Santiago Calatrava and David Rockwell will take part in the Keynote Program. Design showrooms will animate the “Friday Night on the Town” event on May 15. Numerous installations will explore design through original collaborations, such as the Design Pavilion by Lexus in Times Square – an immersive installation combining design, craftsmanship, art, and technology – and the exhibition Shine at The Seaport, curated by award-winning industrial designer Harry Allen, featuring original lighting objects created by 70 designers.
ICFF, photo by Jenna Bascom
At the heart of the event remains the ICFF fair and its satellite show WANTED at the Javits Center, which, alongside its exhibition and educational offering, will host for the first time the collective exhibition Bespoke: The Art of Making, dedicated to craftsmanship and custom creations. The NYCxDESIGN circuit also highlights a strong international presence: for example, the fourth edition of Oui Design! celebrates French craftsmanship and design through a program of exhibitions, open studios, and conferences; while the Afternoon Light Design Fair at WSA hosts over 80 exhibitors across three levels, including Anglepoise, Carl Hansen & Søn, and USM.
NYCxDesign
New York thus becomes a true design hub, showcasing its ability to connect people, foster relationships, and stimulate innovation and ideas.
