Members' FAQS, Terms and Conditions

When can I start using my Membership benefits?
You can access all of your benefits from the moment you join. Use your payment confirmation email or purchase receipt as proof of your active Membership. You will also receive a welcome email with your unique Membership ID and a separate digital membership card within 24 hours of purchase, which can be presented at till points in our shop and café, and scanned at the exhibition entrance.

What are the Membership annual fees?
-Individual Membership is £55 by Direct Debit or £60 Credit/Debit Card
-Member and Guest is £65 by Direct Debit or £75 Credit/Debit Card
-Family Membership is £80 by Direct Debit or £90 Credit/Debit Card
-Student Membership is £45 by Credit/Debit Card, for anyone who is enrolled in an educational institution
-Access Membership is £45 by Credit/Debit Card for anyone who is presented with a barrier in visiting our museums due to a disability

Can I purchase a Membership at the museum?
Yes, you can purchase a Membership by Credit/Debit Card at the Front Desk of the Design Museum. However, please note that Direct Debit Memberships are only available online. If you encounter problems, please contact membership@designmuseum.org, and the team will be happy to assist you.

Can my Membership application be rejected?
The Design Museum reserves the right to reject an application for Membership and do not have to disclose the reasons for doing so. On receipt of your application the Design Museum will take payment for the fee. However, the Design Museum's acceptance of your Membership remains subject to approval. If the Design Museum cannot accept your application it will confirm that your account has been re-credited (if applicable).

Can I join Membership again after my old Membership expired?
Yes, of course, but please note you may need to purchase a new Membership because your old Membership ID may not be active anymore. Please contact the membership team at membership@designmusuem.org if you have any doubts.

What happens if I am a Member Plus or Student member that bought my membership before 01 October 2024?
Any current Member Plus Direct Debit or Card member and any Student member who signed up prior to 01 October 2024 will be able to access the membership benefits that they agreed to prior to the 01st October update.
For card paying Member Plus members and Student members, these benefits will apply until your current membership lapses, after which you can choose any of our new memberships.
For direct debit members, you will automatically renew onto the Member and Guest level of membership on your next renewal.
Your benefits until you lapse or renew are:
-10% off at the museum shops online or instore
-10% discount at the Design Cafe and Design Kitchen
-Up to 20% off events bookings and priority booking access -Access to our exclusive members events
-Bi-weekly members e-newsletters
-Exhibition entry for yourself, one adult guest and up to three children under 16

What Membership is the best for me?
All of our memberships grant you access to the same benefits for discounts in the shop and cafe/kitchen, access to e-newsletters and members events. However, each membership level has different benefits with regards to exhibition entry.

-Individual Membership allows for access to our exhibitions for just the member
-Member and Guest allows for one adult guest to accompany the member to any of our paid exhibitions
-Family Membership allows for one adult guest, and up to three children under 16 to accompany the member to any of our paid exhibitions
-Student Membership allows for access to our exhibitions for just the member
-Access Membership allows for access to our exhibitions for the member and one carer or companion

Please join Student Membership only if you are enrolled to an educational institution at the time of the purchase.

What can be used to prove my disability status for the Access Membership?
This Membership is for anyone who is presented with a barrier in visiting our museums due to a disability. The eligibility criteria are kept under review and may be updated from time to time. We currently accept the below as proof of eligibility:
-Adult Disability Payment
-PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
-Disability Working Allowance for over 60s
-Employment & Support Allowance
-Disability Living Allowance
-Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
-Disabled Person’s Tax Credit
-Registered Severely Sight Impaired (Blind)
-Blue Badge
-Access Card
Upon joining and in order to validate your Membership, we ask that you please send us a photo/scan of your proof of concessionary status to membership@designmuseum.org. This will only be used to check your eligibility, once your application is complete the data will be destroyed/deleted.

Who is considered a Student for the Student Membership?
Anyone who is enrolled in an educational institution such as secondary school, college, university or MBAs. Please note evening or weekends Adult Learning courses are excluded from this notion. This Membership is for anyone in full-time education.
We accept the following as proof of student status:
-Valid Student card
-TOTUM card (formally NUS)
-Valid Student email address
Upon joining and in order to validate your Membership, we ask that you please send us a photo/scan of your proof of concessionary status to membership@designmuseum.org. This will only be used to check your eligibility, once your application is complete the data will be destroyed/deleted.

Is there a minimum age for Student Membership?
Under GDPR Article 8, the age of consent, i.e. when a child is required or able to give their consent for the processing of the own data, is 16.

How do I renew my membership?

1.Direct Debit If you currently pay by Direct Debit your membership will automatically renew each year. You have the option to cancel if you wish by contacting your bank directly, please also notify the Design Museum membership team.

2.Credit/Debit Card If you currently pay by cheque, credit/debit card, you can renew online. Alternatively, you can choose to renew by switching to Direct Debit: this will save you up to £10 per year on the price of your membership.

May Membership fees change in the future?
The Design Museum reserves the right to review and amend annual membership subscription fees. You will be informed of any change along with your renewal notification. The Design Museum's website will also detail these fees and any other changes to your membership benefits. Please review the offer and fees before renewing to avoid disappointment.

Can I upgrade my general admission tickets to a Membership?
Yes, you can upgrade your ticket up to 14 days after your visit. Simply contact the membership team at membership@designmuseum.org with your tickets and your order confirmation for your new membership for a full ticket refund. This offer apply to any ticket total of equal to or less than the value of the membership product. This offer does not apply to any combination exhibition ticket or event tickets.

How do I buy Gift Membership?
Our gift membership is in the form of a redeemable gift voucher and can be purchased online. Select whichever type of Membership you'd like to gift. Email the Gift Membership Voucher to yourself, or direct to who you’re buying it for. Enter your name so they know who it's from, and there's space for a message. Add to basket and checkout, and you're all set! The confirmation email is sent immediately.

How do I redeem a Gift Membership voucher?
The recipient can choose a start date that suits them by activating the voucher online, and they'll have 12 months to set up their Membership. The voucher includes a unique code which can be redeemed against the value of a Membership. Add the Membership type to your basket, and copy-paste, or type in your voucher code in the 'Use a Voucher Code' bar in your basket at checkout.
Once you copy-paste, or type in your voucher code, your payment amount will revert to £0.00.
You'll receive a welcome email once they activate you new membership with everything they need to get started.

How will I access Membership benefits at the museum?
The digital membership card will grant you free access to paid exhibitions and it will allow you to get discounts in the Design Museum shops and café.

How can I access benefits online?
Please explore the members' area of the website and keep an eye on your bi-weekly members newsletter to be updated with the latest membership news. Enjoy priority booking and discounts on events, join exclusive days, enter special giveaways and more...

How long does my membership last?
Your membership is valid for 364 days from the date of payment.

Can my Membership be transferred to another person?
Your membership is non-transferable and may only be used by the person whose name is on the Membership order and digital membership card. Membership holders may be required to show at any time a valid form of ID upon request.

What are my membership benefits?
Members have unlimited, free access to exhibitions for themselves. Family members may bring an additional adult guest and up to three children. Member and Guest members may bring an additional adult guest. Access members may bring a carer or companion. All members get 10% discount on food and drink in the Design Cafe and Design Kitchen, 10% discount in our shops online and instore (some exclusions apply), up to 20% discount on bookings for events, talks and workhops for the cardholder only, and access to our exclusive members newsletter.

Can the current benefits offer change?
The package of member benefits is subject to periodic review and may change over the course of the membership. Benefits of membership are non-contractual and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.

How will I access Membership benefits at the museum?
The digital membership card will grant you free access to paid exhibitions and it will allow you to get discounts in the Design Museum shops and café.

How can I access benefits online?
Please explore the members' area of the website and keep an eye on your bi-weekly newsletters to be updated with the latest membership news. Enjoy priority booking and discounts on events, join exclusive days, enter special giveaways and more...

Will I receive updates about my benefits? How?
Members will receive e-newsletters on a fortnightly basis.

Please note
Last orders for the Design Café are at 4.30pm Monday to Thursday, and 5.30 Friday to Saturday. For the Design Kitchen, last hot food orders are at 4pm every day and last orders for cake and coffee are 4.30pm Monday to Thursday, and 5.30pm Friday to Sunday.

Will I receive a digital membership card?
Please allow us a few days to share with you your unique digital membership card. As a member you won't need to book tickets to the exhibitions – your digital card will grant access to you whenever you wish to visit. Please show it at the gallery door for check-in.

I can't access the internet, and I don't have a mobile device or email? Can I request a physical card?
For members who do not have mobile devices or have special conditions (such as no email address or internet access), you can collect a physical version of your card at the museum. Contact the membership team or speak to a member of staff at the museum.

What benefits will the digital membership card unlock?
Members can access the museum's paid exhibitions and can get their 10% discount in the Design Museum shops and café. Exhibition entry for additional guests is subject to your membership type.

How will I receive communications?
Your Membership booking information and any other important updates will be emailed to you using the email address you signed up with. If you are not receiving these emails, it is your responsibility to let us know.

Do I need to book free tickets to the exhibition?
As a member you don't need to book tickets to the exhibitions – your digital membership card will grant access whenever you wish to visit. Please show it at the gallery door for check-in. You can use your card right away!

Which events do I have to book for?
Members must book tickets for our programme of talks, courses and workshops and for exclusive events including members' preview day.

How can I book a table at the Design Kitchen?
Members can book tables at the Design Kitchen by sending an email with your name, membership ID, desired date and time of the booking, and number of people in your party to: thedesign.kitchen@designmuseum.org. Please note: it may take up to 24hrs to get a response.

How can I book tickets for my children and carer?
You can book tickets for children and carer for special exhibition preview day. Links will be located in the members' area.

How can I amend/cancel my orders?
The only way to cancel your order to an event is by contacting the membership team at membership@designmuseum.org, so we can process a refund, should it be necessary.

Can I book a plus one ticket also for Members' events?
No, the plus one benefit only applies to exhibitions access.

Will Memberships be extended in case of future closures?
In case the Design Museum will be affected by future closures due to local lockdowns or other unexpected reasons, please consider that your membership may not be extended.

How does Direct Debit work?
A Direct Debit is an instruction from you to your bank or building society. Your Direct Debit mandate authorises the Design Museum to collect your membership fee directly from your account.

Can I pay Student or Access Membership by Direct Debit?
No, these are card only payments as we will need to check your eligibility each year upon renewal.

What is the Direct Debit Guarantee?
Direct Debit payers are fully protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee.

This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits. If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit the Design Museum will notify you 3 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request the Design Museum to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request. If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by the Design Museum or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society. If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when the Design Museum asks you to. You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify the Design Museum membership team.

Can I pay for Direct Debit membership with a non-UK bank account?
Direct Debits can only be set up via UK bank accounts.

How do I cancel my Direct Debit?
You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify the Design Museum membership team.

How do payments by Credit/Debit card work?
When you purchase Membership, your annual payment is a one-off transaction.

Will I be charged again if I don't cancel my Membership?
No, you won't be charged again. When your Membership will expire you won't be able to access Membership benefits anymore.

Am I eligible for refunds?
You have the right to obtain a refund if you cancel your Membership within 48 hours from your purchase.

Please note that if you have already benefited from entry to exhibitions and events, you will be required to pay for general admission tickets.

Refunds are considered on a case-by-case basis at the membership team's discretion. If a membership has been used (i.e. you have gained entrance to an exhibition via your membership), you are not eligible for a refund. If you have been granted a refund for your membership, the terms will be explained to you in writing via email and will cover any loss incurred, e.g. admissions fees to exhibitions. No refunds will be provided unless the notice requirements are complied with.

Is the Design Museum liable for Members' loss or damage?
The Design Museum's liability to you will not extend to any membership related benefits, goods or services provided by an external provider. The Design Museum specifically excludes liability for any loss or damage suffered by you as a result of your involvement in whatever manner with an external provider.
These Terms and Conditions do not and shall not affect your statutory rights as a consumer.

How will the museum use my personal details?
The Design Museum holds your contact details securely. The Design Museum will use these details to contact you about your membership, its benefits and information you asked for. In providing the museum with this information, you give the museum permission to contact you in relation to these and to administer your membership. All data gathered and held by the Design Museum is managed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.

Will the museum share my details?
The Design Museum works with third-party service providers for certain activities, such as processing your membership payment. If a service provider needs to access information about you to perform services on the museum's behalf, they do so under instruction from the membership team, including abiding by policies and procedures designed to protect your information. Third parties are not allowed to use your personal information for their own purposes.

Can I update my Marketing preferences?
To update your preferences for how you would like to hear from the museum, please contact the membership team directly at membership@designmuseum.org. You may opt-out of your regular members e-newsletter but please note you may not opt out of service-related emails, e.g. reminders about your automatic payment being debited.

Where can I read the full Privacy Policy?
the Design Museum's Privacy Policy is available at http://designmuseum.org/privacy-policy

How can I get in touch with the Membership Team?
Please email membership@designmuseum.org or use the link below to complete an online form.