Max Fraser

👀 Inside the judging room: Who they are and what they're looking for Every jury member comes from a different background and field of expertise, bringing their unique perspective to the table. This is your chance to get to know the people behind the judging and what good design means to them. First up is Max Fraser, Editorial Director at @dezeen . Based in London, Max is an author and journalist who’s spent his career exploring and celebrating design through books, magazines, video, and exhibitions. He’s also a frequent speaker and has worked with design organizations worldwide. Today, he leads the editorial direction of Dezeen, one of the most influential architecture and design magazines. We asked Max what he's looking for in this year's submissions: "Within the realm of furniture, I hope to see more manufacturers moving away from the use of polyurethane foam in their products. The fossil fuel-derived material is brilliant, but its environmental impact can no longer be ignored. Manufacturers need to move faster towards alternative materials." Is your design innovative in its use of materials, or does it stand out in another way? Nonetheless, we'd love to see it! Submit your solution using the link in bio. Danish Design Award is a collaboration between DDC – Danish Design Center and @design_denmark , with @creative.denmark as strategic partner and the support of @vola.denmark , @volvocardanmark , and @danskindustri .

This year's Milan design week will likely be dominated once again by fancy stuff for rich people but there are still gems to be found if you look hard enough, writes Max Fraser. For longer than anyone can remember, Milan's design week has prevailed as the most important moment in the global design calendar. Next week, the city will once again come alive with international visitors sampling hundreds of events, exhibitions and installations across Italy's design capital, in search of the latest products, talents and trends. Click the link in our bio to read more. ✍️ Max Fraser (@maxfraserdesign )

Meet the jury behind 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 The 2026 selection was shaped by an international jury bringing together perspectives of: Maddalena Casadei (@maddalena_casadei ) is a Milan-based architect and designer whose practice spans product design, interiors and art direction, shaped by an international background and a strong focus on collaboration. Max Fraser (@maxfraserdesign ) is a London-based design writer, curator and consultant, and editorial director of Dezeen, whose work focuses on making contemporary design culture accessible to wider audiences. “Design, at its core, is a fundamentally collaborative discipline. It doesn’t exist in isolation, nor should it. The most compelling work emerges when diverse voices contribute their knowledge and perspective. Collaboration keeps craft traditions alive, strengthens dialogue across sectors, and opens the door to innovative, relevant ideas that respond to real social and environmental challenges. When we treat design as a shared cultural ecosystem rather than a solitary pursuit, we create space for richer understanding and more meaningful change.” Selected projects: Chord Machine AKT–0.1 by @akutostudio Re27 by @iiode Fleeting Landscapes by @noelanirutz Hall Lamp by @pantertourron Paper Glasses by @silvio.rebholz Sapin-Sapin by @ve_ro_studio + @fili__fili__ On view Monday, 20 April 2026 – Friday, 24 April 2026, 10am – 7pm @spaziovento , Via Pinamonte da Vimercate, 4, Milan #SharedMatter #MilanoDesignWeek #ProHelvetia #SwissDesign #DesignCollaboration

Winter ☑️

Announcing @maxfraserdesign as the Designblok Awards 2026 President! In his role leading the international jury, Max will be responsible for its composition and the entire voting process. Max returns to Designblok just a year after hosting the Designblok Talks, and we are thrilled to confirm he’ll be back on stage at our international conference once again. Fraser currently serves as the Editorial Director of @dezeen , the world’s most-read design magazine. Over the last two decades, he has built a formidable reputation as a journalist and the author of several influential books on design and architecture. His impressive track record includes serving as a correspondent for CNN Style, contributing to the @financialtimes and @wallpapermag , and spending three years as the Deputy Director of @l_d_f_official . 🖥️ Learn more about the Designblok Awards at designblok.cz ~ 🇨🇿 Do čela našeho nejvýznamnějšího festivalového ocenění – Cen Designbloku – letos usedne @maxfraserdesign ! V roli prezidenta mezinárodní poroty bude zodpovědný za její složení i proces hlasování. Max se na Designblok vrací po roce, kdy se zhostil moderace Designblok Talks a ani tentokrát nebude na pódiu naší mezinárodní konference chybět. Fraser aktuálně působí jako šéfredaktor světové nejčtenějšího magazínu o designu – @dezeen . Za uplynulé dvě dekády získal silné renomé publicisty a autora několika knih o designu a architektuře. V minulosti působil jako korespondent CNN Style, jeho texty byly publikovány ve @financialtimes či @wallpapermag a v letech 2012 až 2015 zastával post zástupce ředitele @l_d_f_official . 🖥️ Více se o Cenách Designbloku dozvíte na designblok.cz 📷 | @markcocksedge

November was never ending

What’s going wrong with design? As part of @dezeen ’s Performance Review series, I picked out ten areas in which the design industry is struggling or failing. Here are a few - read the full article by clicking the link in bio. What do you think? And what could be some of the solutions?

October was oxidising

What holds us back from designing for the planet? In the latest from our series, Max Fraser (@maxfraserdesign , @dezeen ), Tom Lloyd (@tz_lloyd ) and Julia Watson (@juliawatsondesign ) reflect on the fears, systems, and inherited ideas of growth that continue to shape design today. As we recognise Creative Careers Month, we’re highlighting the importance of design education in shifting these patterns. The next generation of designers will need the confidence to think differently, challenge old models, and create work that restores rather than depletes. Design education has a vital role to play in building that mindset. Explore our Skills for Planet Blueprint to support emerging and established designers in developing the capabilities needed. Find it via the link in our bio. #DesignForPlanet #CreativeCareersMonth #WorldDesignCouncil #SkillsForPlanet #CreativeEducation @discovercreativecareers

🎤 #DesignChallenges: What does design writer and editorial director of @dezeen , @maxfraserdesign , see as the greatest challenge facing contemporary design and architecture?
 We asked the same question to all speakers of the first edition of the #DesignblokTalks conference, held as part of the 27th edition of Designblok – we’ll share their answers with you soon!
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🇨🇿 Jakou největší výzvu současného designu a architektury vidí designérský publicista a šéfredaktor magazínu @dezeen , @maxfraserdesign ?
 Na stejnou otázku jsme se zeptali všech řečníků prvního ročníku konference #DesignblokTalks pořádané v rámci 27. ročníku Designbloku – jejich odpovědi vám brzy představíme! 🎤 | @stepan_suster 🎬 & 🎥 | @anezka21.p 📷 | @martinfaltejsek

Sabato Design Awards 🤩 Siegrid Demyttenaere / @damn_magazine – Chair of the Jury. A special thanks you all the jury members who did a great job! @gerda.ackaert @missyoko @siegriddemyttenaere @maxfraserdesign @atelier_lioneljadot @dimitrijeurissen @katrien.laporte @katepoes @objectswithnarratives For the first edition of the Sabato Design Awards, an independent international professional jury selected by DAMN° magazine spent the past months evaluating talent in five categories. A sixth winner — also in the Belgian Young Talent category — was chosen by the public through an online vote. On Wednesday, 22/10, the winners received their awards during a ceremony in Brussels. The trophies were created by Zélie Boulestreau, founder of the French project Papier boulettes and the artist behind the bas-relief in Mix Brussels. The Winners 🙌 1.⁠ ⁠Arnaud Eubelen: Belgian Young Talent – Jury Prize 2.⁠ ⁠Victor Verhelst: Belgian Young Talent – Public Prize 3.⁠ ⁠Élise Van Thuyne: Best Belgian Private Residential Interior Design Award Where Water Unwinds”, a home renovation in Bruges 4.⁠ ⁠Anne Holtrop: Best International Public Interior Design Award Renovation of the Siyadi Pearl Museum in Bahrain 5.⁠ ⁠Atelier KANAL x OpenStructures: Best International Product of the Moment Award Atelier KANAL x OpenStructures – for the Kanal System furniture collection for the new Kanal – Centre Pompidou Brussels 6.⁠ ⁠Claire Bataille: Belgian Lifetime Achievement Design Award “A female pioneer who introduced a new kind of interior architecture in Belgium,” said the jury. “With her timeless vision and lasting impact, she has shaped Belgian interior design for good. Five decades of enduring influence.” CONGRATULATIONS!!!! 🤩🙌

"What can be imagined, can be reimagined." This was the central plea from Tori Tsui at World Design Congress. As designers, we have the responsibility and privilege to shape the future. The systems we witness today are products of someone's imagination. Now it's up to us to help, support and rewrite the script. Watch the full, inspiring conversation with Brian Eno, Tori Tsui, and Max Fraser via the link in our bio. #DesignForPlanet #ClimateAction #WorldDesignCongress #Collaboration #FutureOfDesign