Skip to main content

Less is more. – Aspects of minimal design

Special exhibition
26 April 2022 – 22 May 2022

"Less is more!" once propagated the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) and thus established a design principle that has lost none of its validity to this day. On the one hand, "less is more" aims at a design that is as reduced as possible, dispensing with anything superfluous. On the other hand, in times of technological progress and change, it is also a question of juxtaposing technical complexity with a design that is as reduced as possible, with the aim of achieving simple operation and a high level of user-friendliness in this way.

The studio exhibition "Less is more. - Aspects of minimal design" uses award-winning products from the 2021 competition year to illustrate how this can be achieved in individual cases by focusing on the often hidden qualities of the products.

Admission: 9 € (reduced: 4 €)
Children under 12: Free admission
Fridays: Pay what you want


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".

19 May 2024 | 13:00 – 15:00 h

Permanent exhibition

International Museum Day at the Red Dot Design Museum

International Museum Day: The Red Dot Design Museum is offering free public guided tours (in German) every half hour between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is pay-what-you-want.

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.

25 June 2024 – 1 June 2025

Special exhibition

Milestones in Contemporary Design 2024–2025

The exhibition on the first floor presents the best products of 2024 the current milestones in international product design.

25 June 2024 – 1 June 2025

Special exhibition

Design on Stage 2024–2025

Award-winning products from all over the world are guests at the Red Dot Design Museum until the end of May 2025.