nie_koniec / un_end – announce the theme of the 19. ŁDF
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For the 19th time, the Łódź Design Festival will become a space for dialogue between the individual perspective of artists and a broad view of global and local problems. In the face of dynamic changes in everyday life – from technological challenges, to the climate crisis, to transformations in human relations – the ŁDF delineates fields for discussion, inspiring exploration and creating space for reflection on the role of contemporary design.
The theme nie_koniec / un_end defines the character of Łódź Design Festival 2025, emphasizing constant inquisitiveness and curiosity in design. Its open concept fosters alternative, adaptive paths for design and architecture in a changing world. nie_koniec / un_end also speaks of the infinite relationship between the individual, such as the role of the designer in creative processes, with the social – living ecosystems of cities, changing approaches to defining community, norms or values.
Innovation Lab: make me!
nie_koniec / un_end represents the cyclical nature of the process of design and exploration in creative work – from the idea through the stages of creating – testing – revising/revising the idea to processing the original vision. The festival’s annual “Innovation Lab: make me!” showcases how young designers grapple with both recurring questions about materials, functionality, and the effectiveness of their work, as well as new ones dictated by contemporary knowledge of the world and changing research approaches. nie_koniec / un_end is thus synonymous with continuous discovery, often a novel look at familiar objects or issues. The objects of young artists, often represent a prototype, a work still open. Innovative solutions in the field of design awarded in the competition also combine artistic expression and practical application, and are the resultant of considerations of today’s young generations of designers with ideas open to reinterpretation, adaptation and evolution.
EverCity – a city for eternity
nie_koniec / un_end has a non-linear character, accompanied by constant reflection on the daily life of man. The constant desire to improve the condition of human existence, the struggle against unfavorable changes, trials and experiments and the reconstruction of ideas affect the way we shape our environment. The twists in the narrative often concern the functioning and structure of cities to meet the demands of sustainability, systemic resilience and long-lasting stability. Design, architecture, urban planning defy confinement to specific categories, they develop through a dynamic dialogue between past, present and future. “EverCity – a city for eternity” – the main program exhibition – will take viewers through the evolution of architectural ideas for creating friendly areas for living. It will look at various changes in approaches to urban management and the creation of architecture that would support our well-being and improve the quality of life.
15th anniversary of the must have plebiscite
nie_koniec / un_end is also the process of constant evolution of Polish design, which for 15 years has been reflected in the must have plebiscite and the accompanying exhibition. Each year, implementations are presented here showing the changing approach to design – from functionality, efficiency and standardization to freedom of artistic expression, play with form and even frivolous glamour. One can see returns to old ideas and reinterpretations of traditional materials, such as ceramics and glass, which continue to inspire new generations of creators. The Polish design market remains open and dynamic, with manufacturers, designers and consumers constantly influencing its shape, creating space for change. The must have exhibition is a record of these processes – it shows the transformation of the market and reveals how innovation and craftsmanship intermingle, creating an endless rhythm of design.
Łódź Design Festival also in a cyclical mode deals with an attempt to synthesize knowledge of design, space design and materials, combining different disciplines, media and perspectives. The presentation of cultural initiatives in the broadest sense is rarely limited to a single goal or specific solution, but rather opens a space for reflection, regular analysis of the creative industries, their opportunities and challenges they face. In the context of the festival, nie_koniec / un_end also becomes a mobilizing slogan, emphasizing the role of creativity as a tool to solve key systemic problems through constant experimentation and testing of different solutions, an open approach to diversity and innovative forms of cooperation.
The author of the identification is Katarzyna Ludwisiak.
The organization of the Łódź Design Festival is made possible thanks to the support of the Łódzkie Centrum Wydarzeń and the City of Łódź. Subsidized by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the Cultural Program of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2025. The event is co-organized by the Narodowe Centrum Kultury.
