Singapore Design Week 2025 wrapped up in spectacular fashion this September — and if the numbers are anything to go by, the city’s design scene has never been more alive. Over 400,000 visitors poured into four buzzing Design Districts, making this SG60 edition celebrating both design and Singapore’s 60th birthday, a country still constantly reinventing itself.

This year’s theme, “Nation by Design”, invited Singaporeans to rediscover how creativity has shaped our city’s skyline, culture, and everyday life, from the humble void deck to the glimmering Marina Bay skyline. Organised by the DesignSingapore Council (Dsg), the festival transformed the island into one big creative playground, connecting more than 1,600 designers, makers, and partners, double the participation of 2024.

Each Design District had its own personality. At Bras Basah.Bugis, the Unnatural History Museum of Singapore turned six decades of nation-building into a quirky retrospective, while The Sausage of the Future: Singapore Edition explored food innovation with a tongue-in-cheek twist. Over at Marina Central, the focus was on Design for Care, installations and pavilions that invited people to pause, connect, and reflect.

The Orchard district brought youth to the forefront, with SCAPE hosting workshops and pop-ups that stretched across the iconic shopping belt, while Singapore Science Park debuted as a Design District for the first time, reimagining the future of innovation spaces.

Beyond the exhibitions, Singapore Design Week blurred the lines between design and lifestyle. The Singapore River Festival presented its first-ever “design edition,” turning the riverfront into a living gallery. Jalan Besar, re-energised by the Find Your Folks initiative, became a creative hub of music, markets, and community design. And at the ArtScience Museum, Another World is Possible made its global premiere, inviting visitors to dream up alternate futures through art, film, and architecture.

Meanwhile, FIND – Design Fair Asia at Marina Bay Sands drew design lovers from across the globe. Over 250 brands and five national pavilions showcased everything from minimalist Japanese furniture to avant-garde European craftsmanship. The EMERGE @ FIND showcase, co-curated by Singaporean designer Edwin Low of Supermama, was a highlight, featuring 100 works by 70 Asian designers and offering a glimpse into the future of contemporary Asian design.

This year’s festival also focused on sustainability. From repurposed pavilions to upcycled banners, sustainability was baked into every aspect. At the Singapore Science Park, stage scaffolding and lighting were responsibly returned or redistributed, while design studio Knock Knock transformed their Chapalang Structures into stylish office furniture. In Orchard, Studio Juju’s Hoop Benches and the playful Low-Res Pavilion found new life as permanent fixtures at SCAPE. Even the inflatable Dragon Playground will make a comeback at Sing60 Music Festival this December.

“These efforts reflect our pursuit of responsible design where creativity and sustainability move in tandem,” shared Jerry Goh, co-founder of Grain Studio and curator of the Open Design Dialogue showcase.

As the festival takes a bow, the future looks bright and bold. The DesignSingapore Council is already setting its sights higher, preparing to evolve the festival into the Singapore Design Biennale in 2027, aligning with the nation’s Design Masterplan 2035. Expect deeper curations, international collaborations, and even greater impact.

“Since its return in 2022, Singapore Design Week has grown tremendously,” said Dawn Lim, Executive Director of Dsg. “Moving to a biennale format will help us elevate quality, deepen engagement, and place Singapore firmly on the global stage.”

More than just a festival, Singapore Design Week 2025 was a loving tribute to the city’s creative spirit, proof that good design isn’t just about aesthetics, but about community, care, and continuity. As Singapore steps into its next 60 years, one thing’s certain: this is a nation still being designed beautifully.

More information available about Singapore Design Week 2025 available here
Missed the main event? You can still catch some of SDW’s standout experiences:

• Unnatural History Museum of Singapore – National Design Centre (until 26 Oct)

• The Sausage of the Future: Singapore Edition – NAFA Fashion Gallery (until 19 Oct)
• EMERGE: The Contemporary Asian Design Store – Supermama at the Asian Civilisations Museum (until 26 Oct)
• Another World Is Possible – ArtScience Museum (until 22 Feb 2026)