PLEXIGLAS® – From the inspiring material to innovative design

Special exhibition
10 May 2017 – 11 June 2017 | 14:47 – 14:47 h

PLEXIGLAS® was discovered and patented by Dr. Otto Röhm in 1933 and is one of the world’s most famous plastic brands. Using this diverse material is not only part of a successful brand and corporate history, it is also an expression of our design and lifestyle culture. The new special exhibition “PLEXIGLAS® – From the inspiring material to innovative design” is dedicated to the brand acrylic glass and introduces its possible applications and its advantages regarding the designing of products.

Thanks to its unique and varied characteristics, the material is important for a wide variety of different applications. By using examples, visitors to the exhibition, which was developed by the Red Dot Design Museum Essen for Evonik Performance Material, will learn how often they are surrounded by PLEXIGLAS® in their daily life, which potentials the material has, and how innovative design is inspired by this plastic.

Besides historical exhibits such as the radio and record player set “Phonosuper SK 4” by Braun (1956) – also known as “Snow White’s coffin” because of its transparent cover – numerous current innovations from the fields of light and lighting as well as from the automobile industry will be on show. All of the exhibits, among them also Red Dot award-winning products, demonstrate how PLEXIGLAS® enables innovative solutions and influences the design.

A special exhibition by the Red Dot Design Museum for Evonik Performance Materials

Admission: 9 € (Reduced: 4 €)
Children under 12: Free admission

20 June 2023 – 31 May 2024

Special exhibition

Milestones in Contemporary Design 2023–2024

The exhibition on the first floor presents the best products of 2023 - the current milestones in international product design.

20 June 2023 – 31 May 2024

Special exhibition

Design on Stage 2023–2024

Award-winning products from all over the world are guests at the Red Dot Design Museum until the end of May 2024.

22 February 2024 – 2 June 2024

Special exhibition

Colours of Our Time – Identity and Difference in Design

The special exhibition on the theme of "Colour in Design" can be seen from 22 February to 2 June 2024.

12 April 2024 – 26 May 2024

Special exhibition

"World’s Best Communication Design 2023 and Highlights from NRW"

The Red Dot Design Museum in Essen is showing award-winning communication design from around the world in the exhibition "World’s Best Communication Design 2023 and Highlights from NRW".

26 May 2024 | 14:00 – 15:00 h

Public tour

Public guided tours: "Colours of Our Time"

The Red Dot Design Museum offers a half-hour public tour at 2 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. each Sunday. Participation is free of charge (however, the normal museum admission fee must be paid).

Please note: The tour will be conducted in German!

30 May 2024 | 13:00 – 15:00 h

Public tour

Family Day at Zollverein: Free public guided tours at the Red Dot Design Museum

Family Day at Zollverein: The Red Dot Design Museum is offering public tours every half hour between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission to the museum is on a "Pay What You Want" basis. Participation in the tours is free of charge.

Please note: The tours will be conducted in German

10 June 2024 – 24 June 2024

Permanent exhibition

Museum closed

The Red Dot Design Museum will be closed as of 10 until 24 June 2024 for the public. During this period, we are preparing two new special exhibitions for our visitors: "Milestones in Contemporary Design 2024" and "Design on Stage 2024". Starting Tuesday, 25 June 2024, the exhibitions will be open for the public.