Are you fascinated by the world of design and innovation? Do you want to see the latest and greatest creations from the most talented designers across the globe? If yes, then you should not miss the Red Dot Design Museum, a unique and exciting museum that features the winners of the prestigious Red Dot Design Award. The Red Dot Design Museum is located in the heart of Marina Bay, Singapore, and is housed in a stunning glass building that reflects the skyline and the waterfront. The museum showcases over 200 design objects, concepts, and communication that are selected from thousands of entries every year. The museum also hosts and organizes various exhibitions and events that highlight the trends, challenges, and opportunities of the design industry.
Whether you are a design enthusiast, a curious traveller, or a casual visitor, you will find something to inspire and delight you at the Red Dot Design Museum. In this article, we will give you the ultimate guide to the Red Dot Design Museum, covering its history, branches, exhibitions, and awards, as well as how to visit, book, and enjoy the museum. Read on to find out why the Red Dot Design Museum is a world of innovation and inspiration and how you can experience it for yourself.
History and Branches of Red Dot Design Museum
The Red Dot Design Museum was founded in 1997 by Professor Dr. Peter Zec, a renowned design expert and the initiator of the Red Dot Design Award. The museum was originally located in Essen, Germany, and was the first museum dedicated to contemporary design. The museum aimed to promote and celebrate the best of design and innovation, and to educate and inspire the public about the importance and impact of design. The museum also served as a platform for the Red Dot Design Award, which is one of the most prestigious and influential design competitions in the world.
In 2005, the museum opened its second branch in Singapore, which was the first museum of its kind in Asia. The museum was located in the Red Dot Traffic Building, a former colonial police station that was transformed into a design hub. The museum showcased the Asian perspective and context of design, and also hosted the Market of Artists and Designers (MAAD), a monthly creative market that featured local artists and designers. The museum also collaborated with various partners and stakeholders to support and promote the design scene in Singapore and the region.
In 2017, the museum moved to its current location in Marina Bay, which is a prime waterfront destination and a cultural and lifestyle hub. The museum occupies a glass building that was formerly the City Gallery, and has a striking facade that changes colour and pattern according to the time of the day and the season. The museum has a larger and more modern space that allows for more exhibits and events, and also offers a spectacular view of the Marina Bay Sands, the Gardens by the Bay, and the ArtScience Museum. The museum also has a cafe bar that serves a variety of food and drinks, and a shop that sells a range of design products and souvenirs.
Exhibitions and Awards of Red Dot Design Museum
The Red Dot Design Museum showcases the winners of the Red Dot Design Award, which is a prestigious and influential design competition that has been running since 1955. The award recognizes and honors the best of design and innovation in three categories: product design, communication design, and design concept. The award is open to designers, manufacturers, agencies, and students from all over the world, and receives over 20,000 entries every year. The entries are evaluated by an international jury of experts, who apply the criteria of innovation, functionality, quality, aesthetics, and sustainability. The winners are awarded the Red Dot, which is a symbol of design excellence and a seal of quality.
The museum exhibits over 200 design objects, concepts, and communication that are selected from the winners of the award every year. The exhibits are displayed in a thematic and interactive way, and cover various fields and sectors, such as consumer electronics, furniture, fashion, transportation, health, education, and social issues. The exhibits demonstrate the creativity, diversity, and relevance of design, and also highlight the trends, challenges, and opportunities of the design industry. The museum also hosts and organizes various exhibitions and events that complement and enhance the exhibits, such as the design fundamentals, the current exhibition, the special exhibitions, the public guided tours, the vernissages, and the MAAD programme. The museum aims to educate and inspire the public about the importance and impact of design, and to foster a dialogue and exchange between the designers and the visitors.
How to Visit and Enjoy Red Dot Design Museum
The Red Dot Design Museum is open from Monday to Sunday, from 10 am to 8 pm. The admission fee is $12 for adults, $9 for students and seniors, and free for children under 6 years old. You can buy your tickets online or at the museum counter, and pay by cash, credit card, or online payment. You can also book your tickets or tours in advance, and enjoy discounts, packages, offers, and ratings. You can also cancel your booking up to 24 hours before your visit, and get a full refund.
The museum is located at 11 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018940, and is easily accessible by public transport. You can take the MRT to the Bayfront or Downtown station, which are both within walking distance from the museum. You can also take the bus to the Marina Bay Financial Centre or the Marina Bay Sands Theatre, which are both near the museum. You can also drive to the museum, and park your car at the Marina Bay Link Mall or the Marina Bay Sands, which are both close to the museum.
The best time to visit the museum is during the weekdays, when the museum is less crowded and more peaceful. You can also avoid the peak hours, which are usually from 12 pm to 2 pm and from 6 pm to 8 pm, when the museum is the busiest. If you want to enjoy the cooler weather and the beautiful night view, you can visit the museum in the evening, when the museum is more serene and romantic.
Here are some tips on how to visit and enjoy the museum:
- Bring your ID card or passport, as you may need to show it at the entrance or the counter.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as you may need to walk a lot and climb some stairs in the museum.
- Bring a camera or a smartphone, as you may want to take photos or videos of the exhibits and the view.
- Do not touch, move, or damage the exhibits, as they are valuable and fragile.
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke in the museum, as they may affect the quality and safety of the exhibits.
- Follow the instructions and guidance of the museum staff and volunteers, as they may help you to enjoy the museum better.
Shop and Cafe Bar of Red Dot Design Museum
The Red Dot Design Museum has a shop and a cafe bar that offer a variety of design products and food and drinks. The shop and the cafe bar are located on the ground floor of the museum, and are open from 10 am to 8 pm.
The shop sells a range of design products and souvenirs that are related to the museum and the award, such as books, magazines, posters, postcards, t-shirts, bags, mugs, pens, and magnets. The shop also sells some of the design objects and concepts that are displayed and awarded in the museum, such as lamps, clocks, watches, speakers, headphones, and gadgets. The shop is a great place to find and buy some unique and creative gifts for yourself or your loved ones.
The cafe bar serves a variety of food and drinks that are inspired by the design theme and the view of the museum, such as sandwiches, salads, cakes, coffee, tea, wine, and beer. The cafe bar also has a design theme that matches the museum, such as the red dot logo, the glass facade, and the LED lighting. The cafe bar also offers a spectacular view of the Marina Bay Sands, the Gardens by the Bay, and the ArtScience Museum. The cafe bar is a great place to enjoy, relax, and socialize at the museum.
Here are some tips on how to shop and dine at the museum:
- Browse and compare the products and prices at the shop, as you may find some interesting and affordable items.
- Ask the shop staff or volunteers for more information or recommendations, as they may help you to find and buy the best products.
- Check the quality and condition of the products before you buy them, as they may have some defects or damages.
- Keep the receipt and the packaging of the products, as you may need them for exchange or refund.
- Order and pay for your food and drinks at the counter, and collect them when they are ready.
- Choose a seat that suits your preference and mood, such as the window seat, the sofa seat, or the bar seat.
- Enjoy your food and drinks, and do not forget to tip the cafe staff or volunteers if you are satisfied with their service.
Nearby Attractions and Amenities to Red Dot Design Museum
The Red Dot Design Museum is surrounded by many other attractions and amenities that you can visit and enjoy, such as:
Marina Bay Sands:
This is a landmark and a luxury resort that features a hotel, a casino, a shopping mall, a museum, a theatre, and a sky park. You can stay, gamble, shop, dine, and watch at Marina Bay Sands, which is about 500 metres or 5 minutes away from the museum. You can also enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the bay from the sky park, which is a rooftop terrace that spans across the three towers of the hotel.
Gardens by the Bay:
This is a park and a botanical garden that features various attractions and exhibits, such as the Flower Dome, the Cloud Forest, the Supertree Grove, the OCBC Skyway, and the Garden Rhapsody. You can explore, learn, and marvel at the Gardens by the Bay, which is about 1 kilometre or 10 minutes away from the museum. You can also witness the spectacular light and sound show that takes place every night at the Supertree Grove, which is a cluster of giant tree-like structures that are covered with plants and flowers.
ArtScience Museum:
This is a museum and a cultural centre that features various exhibitions and events that combine art, science, technology, and culture. You can discover, experience, and appreciate the ArtScience Museum, which is about 500 metres or 5 minutes away from the museum. You can also visit some of the permanent and temporary exhibitions that are hosted by the museum, such as the Future World, the Digital Light Canvas, the Marvel Studios, and the Alice in Wonderland.
Merlion Park:
This is a park and a landmark that features the Merlion, which is a mythical creature that has the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The Merlion is a symbol of Singapore and its history, and also a popular tourist attraction. You can visit, photograph, and admire the Merlion Park, which is about 1.5 kilometres or 15 minutes away from the museum. You can also enjoy the view of the Marina Bay and the Singapore River from the park.
Esplanade:
This is a performing arts centre and a cultural venue that features various theatres, concert halls, studios, and galleries. You can watch, listen, and participate at the Esplanade, which is about 1.5 kilometres or 15 minutes away from the museum. You can also catch some of the performances and events that are held by the Esplanade, such as the Mosaic Music Series, the Baybeats Festival, the Huayi Festival, and the Esplanade Presents.
The Red Dot Design Museum is a unique and exciting museum that showcases and celebrates the best of contemporary design. You can learn about the history, branches, exhibitions, and awards of the museum, and find out how to visit, book, and enjoy the museum. You can also shop and dine at the museum, and explore the nearby attractions and amenities.
The Red Dot Design Museum is a world of innovation and inspiration that you should not miss when you visit Singapore. Book your tickets or tours for the Red Dot Design Museum today and experience the design excellence and quality for yourself.
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