Tools for Everyday Life
Tools for Everyday Life is a project showcasing the community of practice surrounding the BA Furniture and Product Design programme at Northumbria University. This community has evolved through a dialogical approach to teaching and learning, where academic and technical staff act as facilitators in an ongoing process of shared inquiry with students. The project sets design briefs to create everyday objects that bring joy in use, proposing artefacts that recognise and celebrate the innumerable skilled actions that shape daily life. The aim is to draw inspiration from materials and processes that not only define the objects people interact with but also shape the relationship with the surrounding environment.
During 3daysofdesign, Northumbria University presents the latest iteration of its Tools for Everyday Life project. The exhibition presents products and prototypes that encourage users to viscerally engage in commonplace activities. The question asked is: “What are the results of a designer treating people as skilled and active users of functional artefacts rather than passive witnesses of a designed experience?” Everyday objects presented in Copenhagen include rulers, pencil holders and money boxes. The designers are academics, alumni, Designers in Residence and students all connected to the BA Furniture and Product Design programme at Northumbria University based in Newcastle upon Tyne.
3daysofdesign is Denmark’s annual design festival, conceived as a platform to showcase and celebrate great design. It’s the opportunity to meet, network and be inspired by designs from local and global talent. The informal atmosphere welcomes people to engage directly with design brands at stunning locations all over Copenhagen.
Contact UsSince its inception in 2013, Signe Byrdal Terenziani has facilitated the growth of the design community in her role as Managing Director. It all began as a small design event held in an old warehouse in Nordhavn, a harbour area overlooking Copenhagen’s waterfront. Four Danish brands launched the event as a joint initiative: Montana, Erik Jørgensen (now owned by Fredericia Furniture), Anker & Co, and Kvadrat. At that time, Copenhagen lacked a proper design festival, since the previous annual furniture fair at Bella Center closed down some years before.
Today, the 3daysofdesign festival extends to the entire city of Copenhagen and is considered the most significant annual design festival in Scandinavia and Northern Europe.
Each year since its inception, 3daysofdesign has grown in popularity exponentially. In 2024, over 400 brands exhibited at the festival, where over 45.000 visitors could choose from as many as 500 events to attend in various design districts across Copenhagen, such as design talks, product launches, networking, etc.
3daysofdesign takes place every year in Copenhagen mainly in showrooms and galleries during June, Wednesday to Friday. In 2025 the festival will be held from 18 — 20 June 2025.
Pack your bags, book a hotel and come to Copenhagen! 3daysofdesign is open to the general public and everyone is invited to visit the showrooms, exhibitions, workshops and design talks. All events are free of charge.
Please check the programme, which is updated on an ongoing basis, at 3daysofdesign.dk
You can look forward to seeing cutting-edge concepts from new and established names in lifestyle, design, furniture and interior design. Get a preview of new product launches. Learn about upcoming trends on the horizon. Meet the players behind forward-thinking ideas worth knowing. And network with like-minded people with a passion for design.
It's easy to get around in Copenhagen.
Rent a bike, jump on the bus or metro, catch a boat or simply walk from venue to venue. At the same time, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the architecture, restaurants, cafes, shops and Copenhagen's relaxed vibe by day and vibrant night life.
Absolutely! Don't forget to download our app on your Android or iPhone. It provides a comprehensive view of all the festival events, including a complete list of exhibitions along with their locations on our interactive 3daysofdesign map. Plus, you can use our free QR ticket system for easy access to everything the festival has to offer.