Pingdom Check

DesignMarch 2023

Come join our annual celebration of creativity

Reykjavík: May 3–7, 2023

DesignMarch in May

Yes, Iceland's largest design festival is called DesignMarch, but it's now staged for 5 days in May across a number of Reykjavík neighborhoods, from the city center to Grandi harbor and the Gróska university area.

Watch our video to get an idea of the creative spirit of Iceland, and what that concept means for a number of innovative Icelandic designers.

Bringing joy

Now in its 14th year, DesignMarch has a mission to celebrate creativity and innovation. Its exhibitions and events reflect a wide range of design disciplines, including architecture, ceramics, fashion and jewelry, furniture and interiors, textiles, graphic design, product and industrial design, and experience design.

In the words of Þórey Einarsdóttir, the festival director, "DesignMarch is a harbinger of optimism, innovation and new ways. The festival will continue to use its power to bring inspiration and joy along with highlighting the simmering creative power of the local design community in Iceland."

Icelandair is proud to be a sponsor of DesignMarch, and excited to nurture and showcase local talent. Read more about Iceland's simmering creativity and the program for DesignMarch 2023 on the DesignMarch website.

In addition, check out the collaborations we've been involved in as part of recent DesignMarch events. By turning waste into functional objects, we’re reducing what ends up in landfill or gets shipped abroad to be recycled. That’s one way we work towards a greener future – and one way we bring the spirit of Iceland to the world.

2023: Icelandair x Rebekka Ashley

‘Case by case’ demonstrates how recycling and sustainability have become integral parts of our existence. This DesignMarch exhibition was a collaboration between Icelandair and Rebekka Ashley, posing the question of how 625 faulty laptop cases can become a cozy and useful sofa.

Rebekka is a product designer who focuses on environmental awareness, sustainability, and recycling in all her creations. We followed her creative process to see how the sofa she called 'Layers' came to life.

'Layers' pay tribute to Icelandic mountains – Rebekka was inspired by the natural forms of mountains and how they appear in cartography.

2022: Icelandair x Plastplan

The Icelandic company Plastplan specializes in finding ways to utilize plastic waste from companies and turn it into useful objects. Their aim is to work towards a sustainable future and find function where it’s least expected. 

The first collaborative project between Icelandair and Plastplan was designing and producing luggage tags made entirely out of plastic waste. The fun, colorful and unique tags represent the can-do spirit of Iceland and highlight that value can come from where you’d least expect.