Bold designs bright ideas: Melbourne Design Week 2025
Teleisha Thomas
May 2025Expect boundary-pushing innovation and enduring style at this year’s Melbourne Design Week.
Australia’s largest design event - Melbourne Design Week – is back with more edge, elegance and energy than ever. From 15-25 May, the city will transform into a design mecca with over 350 events, talks, exhibitions and installations showcasing who’s who of the industry. Hosted by the National Gallery of Victoria and supported by Creative Victoria, the annual event draws tens of thousands of visitors, cementing Melbourne’s status as Australia’s design capital.
“Now in its ninth year, Melbourne Design Week is a vital platform for designers from across the country and the Asia-Pacific region to share ambitious ideas and new works that will shape the future for the better,” said Tony Ellwood AM, Director, NGV.
As the weather cools and we head indoors, this citywide celebration offers the perfect excuse to explore innovative ideas, beautiful spaces we thought-provoking creations.
In this article, take a closer look at five highlights from the 2025 program.
Two decades of light and play
Celebrating 20 years of bold, artistic lighting, Volker Haug’s retrospective exhibition charts the evolution of one of Melbourne’s most distinctive design voices. Originally from Germany, Haug moved to Melbourne in the early 2000s, founding a studio renowned for blending function with artistic flair.
20 Years of Volker Haug Studios is a tribute to longevity, showcasing Haug’s early work through to some of his most iconic pieces.
“Presenting a retrospective exhibition allows us to honour the creative community that has supported us along the way,” he said.
“Melbourne’s design scene has always inspired us, and sharing this moment with the community feels like the most meaningful way to celebrate.”
Playful, sculptural pieces like Brother and Sister will feature in the exhibition, at Volker Haug Studio, 2-12 St Phillip St, Brunswick East. Photo: Paul Allister.
Creativity meets culture
Dr Trent Jansen’s Two Decades of Design Anthropology is a deeply personal exhibition tracing his journey from object making to cultural storytelling.
From road sign stools to powerful collaborations with First Nations artists, Jansen’s work brings design into dialogue with identity, memory and place.
“I’ve never seen such a large body of my work in one space before, so I’m looking forward to connecting works from different phases of my career, noticing the threads that tie them together, and establishing a clearer understanding of where I’ve been and where I’m heading,” he said.
The Magistrato Al Sal Nero Cabinet by Trent Jansen designed for the Venice Design Biennial, 47 Easey Street, Collingwood. Image: Veronika Motulko.
Offcuts and originals
Founded by Garrett and Alex Lark, Brunswick-based Made Studio brings beauty and intention to every curve and contour of their lates collection, Offcuts.
Known for exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, the brothers merge art, design and innovation to create their distinctly tactile
pieces.
“As Melbourne brothers, we are incredibly proud to be a part of MDW exhibiting new pieces from the studio and workshop we have grown
together,” they said.
“Crafting our pieces locally allows us to indulge in the freedom of experimentation as well as make holistic use of every element of the materials.”
Garrett Lark works on one of the pieces for the exhibition, at Made Studio, 175 Rose St, Fitzroy. Photo: Alex Lark
Illuminating exhibition
The 100 Lights exhibition by Friends & Associates will transform North Melbourne’s Meat Market into a luminous wonderland featuring works by emerging and established designers.
Look out for pieces by Caren Elliss (pictured), Adam Goodrum, and Marlo Lyda, each bringing a unique take on form, function and glow.
This gorgeous Caren Elliss Cambio Lamp is one of 100 stunning lights on show in this stunning exhibition at 2 Wreckyn St, North Melbourne.
Timeless Classics, contemporary lens
ORIGINE and BOYAC have teamed up to showcase a series of Vignettes, blending tradition with modernity.
The exhibition features pieces from Portuguese design brand Collector, custom upholstered by French fabric house Métaphores, and handembroidered wall sculptures by Belgian artist Marijke De Cock.
