ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

London Design Festival 2025: AI, Craft, and Urban Installations Across Ten Districts

festival-fair · 2026-04-26

The 23rd London Design Festival is set to take place from September 13 to 21, 2025, turning ten neighborhoods into a creative hub. Central themes will focus on AI, innovative materials, and modern craftsmanship. In Trafalgar Square, "What Nelson Sees," an AI-enhanced optical tube system by Paul Cocksedge and Google Arts and Culture, will be showcased. Lee Broom's "Beacon," a light installation made from recycled glass, will harmonize with the chimes of Big Ben. The Global Design Forum will be held at the Victoria & Albert Museum from September 13 to 15, along with exhibits addressing global conflicts. The Design Museum will unveil "Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s" and "More than Human" (closing October 5). Shoreditch will host the Design London Shoreditch fair (September 16–18), while the Material Matters fair returns to Space House (September 17–20).

Key facts

  • London Design Festival 2025 runs September 13–21 across ten districts.
  • Paul Cocksedge presents 'What Nelson Sees' at Trafalgar Square with Google Arts and Culture.
  • Lee Broom's 'Beacon' on the Thames uses recycled glass and responds to Big Ben chimes.
  • V&A Museum hosts Global Design Forum September 13–15.
  • Design Museum opens 'Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s' during the festival.
  • Design London Shoreditch fair takes place September 16–18.
  • Brompton district's theme is 'A Softer World' curated by Alex Tieghi-Walker.
  • Material Matters fair is September 17–20 at Space House, Covent Garden.

Entities

Artists

  • Paul Cocksedge
  • Lee Broom
  • Bethan Laura Wood
  • Boy George
  • Spandau Ballet
  • William Morris
  • Grant Gibson
  • Alex Tieghi-Walker
  • Richard Seifert
  • Giulia Marani

Institutions

  • London Design Festival
  • Google Arts and Culture
  • Victoria & Albert Museum
  • Global Design Forum
  • Design Museum
  • Design London Shoreditch
  • Isola
  • Material Matters
  • Artribune

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Trafalgar Square
  • Thames
  • Southbank Centre
  • Shoreditch
  • East End
  • Brompton
  • Farringdon
  • Barbican
  • Covent Garden
  • Space House
  • Milan
  • Italy

Sources