Design has always been propelled by a sense of purpose: whether to make our bodies more comfortable, to make our lives easier, or to improve how we navigate our environments and connect with each other. Today, designers are also motivated to embrace the needs of the mind and the spirit and to grapple with how design innovation can address major questions about the rapid rise of technology, environmental degradation, community building, and social and political justice.

Walker Design Triennial: Beyond Materialism brings together 26 of the most captivating contemporary designers and collectives from across the globe and explores the ways in which they are engaging with societal challenges and opportunities through the distinct lens of design. The group represents more than 10 countries and features 7 participants showing in the United States for the first time, including Espace Aygo, Stef Fusani, Shao-Chun Hsu, Jonghoo Jeong, Maximilian Marchesani, Moon Seop Seo, and Christoph Wimmer-Ruelland. Through a rich array of ideas, techniques, and materials, the featured individuals reflect incredible vision and imagination and are changing the nature and power of design in our world.

The presentation represents the first iteration of the Walker’s new design triennial, created to explore the narratives, philosophies, and innovations that define the realm of design. It builds on the museum’s long-standing commitment to design practices, which can be traced to its earliest days as a public art center. Beyond Materialism features a range of new works, including two installations created especially for the presentation by VESSEL (James Bridle & Navine G. Dossos) and by Lucas Muñoz Muñoz.