OnlineDepot.ch: When Design Migrates from Physical Spaces to the Web

The article explores how the internet is becoming the new frontier for design research and community, moving away from traditional museums and galleries. It highlights the transformation of Depot Basel, founded in 2011 by Laura Pregger and Matylda Krzykowski with support from Habitat Foundation, into OnlineDepot.ch. Originally a 850 sqm exhibition space in a former silo in Basel, Switzerland, it evolved into a web platform hosting profiles of designers and researchers, a lexicon of recent design phenomena, and a services page for collaborations with foundations and companies. The physical space was abandoned due to high costs and the desire for flexibility. Another example is the Fictional Collective, based in Eindhoven but composed of 27 designers across different continents, who collaborate via Skype and WhatsApp, emphasizing narrative-driven installations. In Italy, MuDeTo.it (Museo del Design Toscano) and MuDeFri.it (Museo di Design del Friuli Venezia Giulia) have created online museums for local design heritage, though they still aspire to physical spaces. The article argues that the internet offers an affordable infrastructure for such initiatives, enabling horizontal exploration over vertical depth and ephemeral celebrations over monumentality.