Iconic creative mag Design Week closes it’s doors
The closure of Design Week in the UK is a sad moment for us, the creative industry as a whole and the broader community that values the power of design in shaping our world. This publication, which has been a beacon for design enthusiasts and professionals alike, has played a crucial role in fostering creativity, innovation, and a sense of community within the design landscape… We’ve even featured it in it a number of times over the years, most notably our Creative Director of Packaging; Anna – more about that later!
First and foremost, Design Week served as a vital platform for showcasing and celebrating the diverse spectrum of design talent in the UK. From graphic design and branding to architecture and product design, the publication provided a comprehensive overview of the latest trends, breakthroughs, and emerging voices in the field. The closure represents a loss of this invaluable resource, leaving a void in the ability to discover and appreciate the wealth of creative endeavours happening across the country, there are others but Design Week was the original and industry leader.
The closure also signifies a potential decline in the visibility of smaller design studios, such as ourselves and emerging talents. Design Week often featured stories that highlighted the work of up-and-coming designers, providing them with exposure and recognition. Without this platform, it becomes more challenging for these voices to be heard and for fresh perspectives to influence the mainstream design discourse.
Moreover, the end of Design Week represents a broader trend of challenges traditional media faces in the digital age. As more publications struggle to adapt to changing consumption patterns and revenue models, there is a risk that vital voices within niche industries, such as design, may be silenced. This not only affects the professionals directly involved but also impacts the general public’s access to quality content that inspires and informs. Others will no doubt step forward to fill teh void and they will have to think digital first – perhaps DW has struggled due to its evolution from a printed to an online format.
In conclusion, the closure of Design Week in the UK is a sad reflection of the evolving media landscape and the challenges faced by niche publications. Beyond the loss of a source for design inspiration, it marks the end of a platform that connected, celebrated, and championed the vibrant creative community in the UK. As we bid farewell to Design Week, it is a poignant reminder of the need to support and sustain platforms that contribute to the promotion of our cultural and creative tapestry… “you don’t knwo what you’ve got ’til it’s gone” as Joni Mitchell once said.
Back to Anna, before it was gone forever… we delved into the Design Week archives and have rescued the wonderful “Rising Star” article that she featured in way back in 2009! Read it here.
