This year sees the return of biannual design event, Copenhagen Design Week, which in its first year of 2009 went down a storm among the world’s design experts

Between 1 and 6 September Copenhagen, voted ‘the most cool city in Europe’ by The Ecologist magazine, welcomes international architects, designers, students and many others for six days of conferences, seminars, talks, exhibitions and exciting events.

The theme for this year’s event is Think Human. Denmark has a unique approach to design and design solutions, which explains why Copenhagen Design Week 2011 has chosen a theme reflecting the humanist tradition – a tradition that reminds architects and designers to put the human user at the centre of their thinking.

The week of conferences and other events will delve into the topic by focusing on sustainability, material choices, production methods and, not least, the sensory experience that consumers should always expect. A Think Human design zone on the pier, in the Kvaesthusmolen area around the city’s Playhouse, will be at the heart of the events.

The zone is to feature numerous exhibitions and talks from international speakers on how the humanist way of thinking can make significant difference to design. This is also where to find a selection of recreation areas – also important when thinking human.

A must-see during Copenhagen Design Week 2011 is the INDEX Award, whose concept is ‘design to improve life’. The winning projects will be presented in the presence of Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, at a gala at the Opera House on 2 September.
copenhagendesignweek.com

This article was first published in fx Magazine.