TU Delft promotes design research at Dutch Design Week 2014

Organized by the 3TU Federation, in cooperation with TU/e, the five-part exhibit showcases the latest in design researchfromthe three Dutch universities of technology (Delft, Eindhoven and Twente). Visitors to the exhibition are invited to discover how technology, in conjunction with research and design, lead to the improvement of society as a whole.

As one-third of the 3TU Federation, TU Delft makes a significant contribution to the exhibit with its award-winning design research projects. Among the various concepts and prototypes on display are the Nuon Solar Team’s Nuna6 solar powered car, theKonneKt game for children in isolation and the Crystal Cabin Award project “Sense the Transitions”. The exhibition also features IDE Master student Alec Momont’s ambulance drone, which can deliver a defibrillator to people experiencing cardiac arrest in less than one minute.Furthermore, TU Delft associate professor Koos Eissen and Royal Academy of Art guest-lecturer Roselien Steur unveil their third book entitled “Sketching Product Design Presentation” (BIS Publishers) during a special ceremony later in the week.

“I think Dutch Design Week is really the event in the Netherlands for design,” says Prof. Daan van Eijk, Scientific Director of Design United. Nevertheless, the annual event tends to focus more on creative (product)design and innovations in this particular field. “Design is more [than that],” Van Eijk claims.“It also has other meanings, other connotations, including engineering, the technological side, and how people interact with products and technical systems.” As a result, the exhibit aims to present the future of design research. “We want to show what the step forward is. It is also looks at products and shows what’s new.”

While much of TU Delft’s contribution centers on product design, Van Eijk insists that DDW is a platform for other technical disciplines to showcase their work. “For next year, it would be good that the technical universities would be here, not only with their [industrial] design faculties, but also with other faculties. There is so much to show, from mechanical engineering to architecture, and we have such an interest, not only from the public, but also from many companies.” With over 250,000 visitors in attendance, DDW is the most highly anticipated design event in the country.