friday late Free event

#madein1989: 30 years of the Design Museum

This year marks 30 years since the Design Museum originally opened its doors in a converted banana warehouse in Shad Thames, among the once economically vibrant London docklands.

Celebrate this major milestone with the Design Museum during an evening of live music, special displays and activities.

The first one hundred glasses of Greyfriars English Sparkling Wine sold will come with a mini cone of Fish and Chips, just as was served at the museum's opening party in 1989.

Sir Terence Conran with Ella Bulley

The Design Museum was established by Sir Terence Conran to promote awareness of design in education, industry, commerce and culture. Thirty years on, it continues to promote design in all its forms, striving to make the impact of design visible to all.

Ella Bulley, former Designer in Residence, interviews Sir Terence about his inspiration for building the Design Museum; his most vivid memories from the past 30 eventful years, and his aspirations for the museum's future. 👇

What's On

Friday Night Sketch | #madein1989

This month’s sketch will focus on the theme of Anthropomorphism and celebrates the Design Museum’s 30th Birthday.

Made in 2019

To mark its 30th anniversary, the Design Museum asked leading and upcoming designers to create a commemorative icon using the number 30 as inspiration.

Live music performance from Unit 137

DJs, live horns and vocals powered by the hand built Unit 137 sound system. The crew will be bringing some special choice cuts from 1989 & 2019 to celebrate 30 years in style! Featuring: Ed West, Sleepy Time Ghost, Shumba Youth & A.P Grimshaw.

Made in 1989 - Celebrating 30 years of the Design Museum

Through archival material on display, revisit the birth of the institution thirty years ago.

Exhibitions

David Adjaye: Making Memory

Experience the storytelling power of architecture through an exploration of seven monumental projects from celebrated architect Sir David Adjaye OBE.

Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition

Step inside the world of Stanley Kubrick, one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century.

Designer Maker User

Designer Maker User is an introduction to the history of contemporary design through three interconnected roles - the Designer, the User and the Maker.

Booking information

Free tickets for the Friday Late give you access to the museum from 18.00 – 21.00.

Temporary exhibition tickets must be bought separately.

Discover the history

Made in 1989

Take a look back at the museum’s founding history in the 1980s to present day – from twenty-five years of exhibitions at Shad Thames to the future in its new home in Kensington.

Background image | Craig & Karl