Details revealed of expanded Cardiff Design Festival

The first plans have emerged for this year’s forthcoming Cardiff Design Festival, which takes place during October.

This year will be the first time the city will host the Design Management Europe Awards, which aim to showcase the contribution of successful design management across the European Union. It is hoped that the awards will attract a network of international organisations across a variety of sectors. ‘It’s the first time the festival has hosted an event of this size,’ says CDF director Olwen Moseley.

Building on the past three years, the festival will have a wider range of events, lectures and activities. The Best of Welsh Design Showcase and Awards will remain, alongside a ‘design trail’, a programme of multidisciplinary speakers and a design market called Wonder Culture, as well as a recycled ballroom party and chandelier-designing competition.

New this year is a built environment exhibition to be held by Design Circle, the Welsh branch of the Royal Society of Architects. The organisation will also be issuing a one-day multidisciplinary charrette, or challenge.

October will also see the launch of an umbrella group of design festivals from all over the world, including Sydney and Istanbul.

‘I’m encouraged by the amount of interest, both locally and from an international perspective,’ says Moseley.

An evening for sponsors and partners is to be held on 20 May.

For further information, visit www.cardiffdesignfestival.org.