Participation guidelines

During the 5th anniversary of the festival, Southern Sweden Design Days invites visitors from all over the world to Malmö to explore the creative and dynamic design scene. From 22–25 May 2025, Malmö will be filled with a variety of exhibitions, seminars, and workshops at several locations throughout the city.

Apply here

The open call starts on 1 November 2024, and closes on 15 January 2025.

Important dates

22 Oct: Community Gathering at Form/Design Center
1 Nov – 15 Jan: Registration to SSDD 2025
23 Jan: Information meeting about locations
10 March: Finalize program activity on the website
5 – 15 May: Pick up location materials at Form/Design Center
22 – 25 May: Southern Sweden Design Days 2025. Register visitor statistics
25 May – 10 June: Submit visitor statistics and evaluation for your location

Who can participate?

Southern Sweden Design Days is open to participants within the fields of design, architecture and craft:

  • Independent practitioners, agencies, studios and collectives;
  • Design brands and companies active in the fields of design;
  • Educational institutions, cultural institutions, industry organisations and associations.

Practitioners who are not based in southern Sweden may also participate.

Participation guidelines

In order to meet the overall direction of Southern Sweden Design Days we have created the following criteria for participation:

  • The content is design related.
  • The content relates to sustainability, development and/or innovation.
  • The content is well considered, thought through and ready for presentation.
  • The content is in line with the overall theme for Southern Sweden Design Days.

Program format

Participants can take part in Southern Sweden Design Days through program activities in the following categories:

Physical event

  • Exhibition
  • Seminar
  • Workshop
  • Window display
  • Outdoor installation
  • Performance
  • Fashion show
  • Guided tour
  • Open house
  • Network event
  • Film screening

Each event will be listed as an individual program activity in SSDD’s overall program at southernswedendesigndays.com and in a physical map.

Cost of registration

To participate in Southern Sweden Design Days 2025, a registration fee is charged per program item. The fee depends on the participant’s category.

  • Small: 300 SEK excl. VAT
    Individual practitioner/Studio/Design collective/Company (1–3 employees)
  • Large: 600 SEK excl. VAT
    Company/Organization (4+ employees)
  • Academic and cultural organizations: 600 SEK excl. VAT
    *VAT of 25% will be added.

Registration

Register to participate in Southern Sweden Design Days through the web form linked below. Please note: Applications submitted by email will not be processed.

Apply here

Participants can register any number of program activities. Please note! Each program activity must be registered individually.

Example: You belong to the ‘Small’ category and want to participate with an exhibition, a seminar, and a workshop. You would need to submit three individual forms. The registration cost for all program items would, in this case, total (300+300+300=) 900 SEK excl. VAT.

Registration process

Southern Sweden Design Days is an inclusive event and there is no selection process. Form/Design Center reviews all submitted program activities and participants will receive notification no later than 4 weeks after submitting a program activity. After formal confirmation, participants will receive login and instructions on how to complete their program activity.  We will also send an invoice for the registration fee. Registration is final only when the registration fee has been paid.

Open Call opens on 1 November.

Theme 2025: ”Echo”

Each year, a new theme is introduced to inspire, foster creativity, and bring new ideas to an exciting program. The theme for Southern Sweden Design Days 2025 is Echo.

Read more about the theme

We welcome your different interpretations of the theme!

Locations across Malmö

During Southern Sweden Design Days, the city fills with activities, and participants can join from any location in Malmö. 

Participants are responsible for arranging a venue for their program activity, but Form/Design Center is happy to offer advice and tips regarding available venues in the city. Indicate in your application if you would like assistance.

We have compiled a list of venues that companies and organizations offer for SSDD participants here»
Read more here

Main location

Lokstallarna in Kirseberg are the festival's Main location and house selected exhibitions that connect to this year's theme "ECHO" and SSDD's overall focus areas: Sustainability, Cooperation, Development and Innovation.

We welcome both design studios, design collectives, larger companies and organizations to apply for a place to exhibit at Lokstallarna.

Read more here

SSDD Studio

At the 'Main location' in Lokstallarna, visitors will be able to attend panel discussions, seminars, and workshops in SSDD Studio. Would you like to organize a discussion, seminar, workshop, entertainment, etc.? As a participant, you can apply to take part in the studio live in front of an audience during the event days.

Read more here

Terms & conditions 

Download the terms and conditions for participating.

Terms and conditions 2025