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DDW Class of 2026: New Perspectives
Every year during Dutch Design Week, the former Philips industrial Klokgebouw becomes a meeting place for a new generation of designers, with graduates from the Netherlands and abroad. At Class of ’26, they present their ideas, experiments and fresh perspectives. One of the highlights: KOŘENY, meaning Roots, by graduates of Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Czech Republic.
Inspired by Czech and Slavic traditions, this group of graduates reinterprets customs, symbols and rituals through contemporary porcelain, glass, jewellery and everyday objects. What I particularly like is their fresh approach to these traditions. Not being familiar with all the customs behind them, it’s fascinating to see the craftsmanship and imagine these objects being used in ways beyond their original purpose. A carp scale, believed to bring good fortune, inspires sculptural porcelain. Botanical traditions inspire delicate table accessories. The details and the fresh interpretations are lovely. A couple of these designs look almost ready for production, with packaging by dedicated designers completing the concept.
From left to right: Veronika Konečná – Carp Scale / Kapří šupina and Daniela Řádková – Packaging, Hana Kobierská – The Year Blooms on the Table / Na stole kvete rok, Zuzana Cholevová – Ears / Uši, Jana Jagošová – The Spring / Pramen and Ondřej Sysel – Packaging, Sára Timosová – The Nine Flowers / Devatero kvítí
In conversations with the graduates and a member of the teaching staff, it becomes clear that actual production isn’t so straightforward anymore. Many of the Czech factories that once supported these traditional crafts no longer exist. Quite a contradiction when handmade objects, authenticity and traditional techniques are gaining renewed appreciation. This is rather fitting with this year’s DDW theme, R.A.W., meaning Rebel, Authentic and Worth. Could modern manufacturing techniques, perhaps even AI, help? Not to replace craftsmanship, of course, but to preserve the knowledge and make manufacturing possible again using contemporary techniques. I certainly hope some of these designs go into production. Nowadays, traditional objects and cultural symbols can have a completely different function, appealing to a broader audience.
And what a wonderful overall theme KOŘENY is for these designers. Revisiting their own traditions is a trip down memory lane. I love how they look at their cultural heritage again and contextualise it through their own aesthetics and points of view. It’s all about imagining and making new, meaningful connections. These could become new heritage pieces. Some of these objects would look amazing in editorials or in homes. As beautiful design or everyday objects. They would make wonderful gifts as well. The kind of objects that simply make you happy.
Photography: Erika Raab and Im Fong Liu. Individual graduates credited alongside their work. Works courtesy of the graduates of Tomas Bata University, Zlín, Czech Republic
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