Author: 9ve8c

50 projects by a new generation of European designers come together at UNDERGROUND BDW during Barcelona Design Week 2026.

This October, the Next Gen Design Traveling Exhibition: “Futures Worth Living” arrives in Barcelona, bringing together 50 projects that explore how design can contribute to more just, resilient and regenerative futures.

The exhibition reflects the ideas, concerns and ambitions of a new generation of European designers ready to question established systems and propose new ways forward.

From care, food and materials to biodiversity, shared spaces, technology and everyday life, the exhibition explores contemporary challenges through nine different thematic perspectives, showing design not only to respond to problems, but also as a tool to test possibilities and imagine alternatives.

The exhibition will be presented at UNDERGROUND BDW, one of Barcelona Design Week’s spaces for experimentation, emerging talent, prototypes and new design perspectives. Aligned with its ambition to contribute to a more sustainable and human future, UNDERGROUND BDW is also part of the Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture programme, connecting the exhibition with a broader conversation around design, architecture and the future of our cities.

“Futures Worth Living” is ultimately an invitation to rethink what we produce, how we live, how we care for one another and how we relate to the planet.

This October, discover 50 perspectives on one shared question: what kind of futures are worth designing — and living?

UNDERGROUND BDW | Barcelona Design Week 2026

October 22 – 24, 2026 | Parking Gallery by LCI Barcelona, Barcelona
Thursday 22, from 7:00-10:00pm (VIP Opening – By invitation)
Friday 23, from 4:00-9:00pm
Saturday 24, from 12:00am-9:00pm

Free admission upon registration.

MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION HERE

From 19 to 23 October 2026, What Design Can Do brings NEXT GEN DESIGN to Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven. The programme consists of a residency for young designers, a touring exhibition and two EDU Talks.

The exhibition and the EDU Talks are open to the public; the residency is a closed programme.

NEXT GEN DESIGN EINDHOVEN RESIDENCY

19 – 23 October 2026 | Next Nature Museum, Eindhoven | Closed activity

“SUSTAINABLE DIGITAL FUTURES” with Next Nature Museum as host

For five days, Next Nature Museum becomes a studio for ten young designers, all winners of the Next Gen Design Open Call. In pairs, they take on the theme Sustainable Digital Futures: spotting opportunities, shaping concepts and turning them into prototypes. A design educator guides the process, while talks and the wider Dutch Design Week programme feed it with fresh perspectives. The residency is organised by What Design Can Do.

NEXT GEN DESIGN EXHIBITION

20 – 22 October 2026 | Next Nature Museum, Eindhoven

[12:00 – 17:00]

[Free admission]

“FUTURES WORTH LIVING” brings together selected projects from the Next Gen Design competition: work by Europe’s next generation of designers, rooted in circular design and responding to today’s environmental and social challenges. The exhibition tours leading design festivals across Europe, supported by the European Commission as part of the New European Bauhaus initiative.

NEXT GEN DESIGN EDU TALKS

20 October 2026 | Next Nature Museum, Eindhoven |

[Free admission]

See detailed program HERE.

19–23 October 2026 Next Nature Museum, Eindhoven

During Dutch Design Week 2026, What Design Can Do presents the NEXT GEN DESIGN exhibition at Next Nature Museum. This year DDW’s theme is R.A.W. (Rebel Authentic Worth), which embraces the unpolished, the exploratory and the experimental.

NEXT GEN DESIGN is a three-year European programme of design competitions, exhibitions and events. It helps young designers, create and develop sustainable design practices. The project brings together five leading European design platforms and festivals: Skopje Design Week, Mikser Festival (Belgrade), designaustria at designforum Wien (Vienna), What Design Can Do (Amsterdam) and Barcelona Design Week.

The exhibition shows selected works and concepts by a new generation of designers. They respond to today’s environmental and social challenges and develop new approaches for a sustainable future.

Alongside the exhibition, the participating designers take part in the Next Gen Design Residency at Next Nature Museum. Working in teams, where they turn new concepts into prototypes.

Free admission.