Billed as the largest edition yet, Singapore Design Week 2016 will have more than 100 events, including 62 ‘fringe’ activities for the public.

A new signature event for the week, which starts on March 8, will be the two-day creative symposium Innovation by Design, an initiative of the Design Singapore Council (DSG). Keynote speakers for this include Masaaki Kanai, the chairman and representative director of Ryohin Keikaku, the parent company of Japanese retailer Muji, as well as Spanish designer Jaime Hayon.

Another new feature is the first Design & Make Fair at the National Design Centre (NDC), which will be turned into a shopping area over four levels showcasing Singaporean designed or made products, including food-and-beverage makers.

“We’ve noticed an emerging interest in locally designed items, with the success of our other markets such as Singapasar,” says DSG executive director Jeffrey Ho.

There will also be workshops allowing the public to try designing and producing their own creations.
Other partner events throughout the week include Singaplural at 99 Beach Rd, Maison & Objet Asia at Marina Bay Sands and the International Furniture Fair Singapore at Singapore Expo.
Design Trails will have the theme Thoughtful Design this year, with shuttle services going into the neighbourhoods of Geylang, Jalan Besar and Joo Chiat for visitors to see how design plays a role in creating products and experiences.
Other activities include a trunk show developed by Singapore retailer Supermama at its new flagship shop at Beach Road, opening on March 11, and a curator tour of Mint Museum of Toys.
Singapore Design Week started as a celebration for the opening of the NDC in 2014.