The island’s inaugural design festival provides a platform for designers and consumers to share and collaborate.

The trendy neighborhood of Seminyak, known for its plush restaurants and glitzy nightclubs, will host the inaugural Seminyak Design Week ( SDW2018 ) starting this Friday.

As many as 100 key players of the design industry, ranging from prominent architects and interior designers to fashion designers and product creators, will share their thoughts on SDW2018’s main theme: “Design for Better Community”. They will also exhibit their creations during the event that will run until May 13.

“Through a wide range of programs open to the public, we want to provide opportunities for the wider community to witness the latest achievement of works in the creative industry especially in Indonesia,” SDW2018 event director Jacob Gatot said.

“This event can build awareness of design in the community, be a meeting point and initiate discussion on design and discourses around it, to stimulate a universal creative spirit,” he added.

STELLAR MAP scarves by House of Rumantra (Seminyak Design Week/File)

Jacob is also the owner of Uma Seminyak, the main venue of SDW2018. In the past few years, Uma Seminyak has grown into one of the island’s leading cultural hubs by providing a platform for up and coming young artists to showcase their works. SDW2018 comprises exhibitions, inspiring panel discussions, workshops, competitions and design trails.

Uma Seminyak and Seminyak Village will co-host the principal exhibition, featuring dozens of products, ranging from architecture and homewares to craft and graphic designs.

Participating exhibitors include Yokasara, Andramatin, Budi Pradono, SHAU, Largo, Morfologix, Urbane, HAP (Han Awal & Paskal), Magno & Spedagi by Singgih Kartono, Santai by Dennis Pluemer, BYO Living by Lim Masulin, Studio Hiji by Abie Abdillah, Eva Natasa, CushCush, Ong Cen Kuang, Casa Studio Bali, Craft District, Studio Mari Ubud, ADGI (Indonesia Graphic Design Association), Suku Tangan, Monez, Salaga, Siji, Mena, House of Rumantra, Cinta Bumi Artisan, Vitarlenology, and  Art of Whatever.

TAKO desk organizer by Handhyanto Hardian (Seminyak Design Week/File)

RODACILIK bamboo bicycle by Spedagi (Seminyak Design Week/File)

Uma Seminyak will also host ArchiTalks, a series of intimate panel discussions during which 12 architects will share their thoughts. ArchiTalks are free to attend. Meanwhile, The Inspiring Talks program will take place at Ke{m}bali Innovation Hub from May 5 to 6. This program features 22 influential figures, who will discuss how design can help build businesses, improve sustainability, engage communities, enrich people’s lives and develop a better community.

SDW2018 will also organize events outside Seminyak, including at Denpasar’s CushCush gallery, where an event called Natural Curiosities, a tribute to natural wonders, artisans, and designers, will run from May 11 to June 11.

“Moreover, Indigo Hotel and Katamama Hotel will open their doors for SDW2018’s Design Trails program, which is limited to 30 people. The participants will have a guided tour, during which they will learn about the unique and distinctive architectural features and design of those establishments,” SDW2018’s event manager Ruth Onduko said.

The success of SDW2018 would put Bali right on the heels of Berlin, Tokyo, Milan, Singapore and Chiang Mai, which each boast thriving creative communities and an influential, annual design week event.

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Full program and tickets are available at www.seminyakdesignweek.com.