Shapeways is excited to be partnering with the Netherlands Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the Consulate General in NYC along with the quirky Dutch coolness of Kikkerland Design for the Dutch Design Competition USA 2014. 

The ten top entries will be selected by a jury of design experts, 3D printed by Shapeways and go on display in NYC, the winning design will then have the possibility of being taken into manufacture by Kikkerland and the winner will be flown to NYC to be Shapeways Designer in Residence with all flights and accommodation included as part of the prize!

Inspired by the exhibition, “Out of Hand: Materializing the Postdigital” at New York’s Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), the Netherlands Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the Consulate General in New York are holding a Dutch Design Competition in partnership with Kikkerland Design Inc., Shapeways and MAD.

The Dutch government is looking for a new giveaway to distribute to their contacts in the United States, and is inviting designers to submit inventive, quirky and smart ideas for a functional and affordable small item inspired by Dutch Design (you do not have to be Dutch to enter).

“We’re opening up this competition to a wide range of people, whether they have decades of design experience or are a novice who designs as a hobby,” said Dutch Ambassador Rudolf Bekink. “We want to find a new giveaway item that everyone will know is distinctively Dutch the moment they see it.”

The Netherlands is defined by its innovative spirit and entrepreneurship in the arts and design industries. Creative ingenuity is an essential part of our nature. Being Dutch inherently means pushing boundaries when tackling problems. Like Americans, the Dutch value new ideas and enjoy exploring them. The Dutch have a history of cutting-edge arts and culture, and are known for their high commitment to quality and their pragmatic approach. 


Designers can submit their ideas until March 7.

The top 10 entries will be selected by a high-profile jury by the beginning of April, and will be printed in 3D by Shapeways.

The competition will then start its second phase when the designs become part of a temporary exhibit in New York City.

Kikkerland Design Inc. plans on producing the winning design and introduce it to the US (and global) market. In addition, the Dutch government will buy 500 pieces of the winning product, and use it as its official giveaway in the United States.

On top of that, Shapeways will offer the winner a weeklong residency at its headquarters in New York. Flight and accommodations will be included with the prize. 

The winning design will be announced Jury members include:

Jan van der Lande, CEO of Kikkerland Design;

Duann Scott, Design Evangelist Shapeways;

Jan Habraken of FormNation;

Alissia Melka-Teichroew of ByAMT;

Ron Labaco, Curator at the Museum of Arts and Design and Exhibition Curator for Out of Hand;

Rudolf Bekink, Ambassador for the Netherlands in the United States; 

Jan Kennis, Cultural Attaché and Head of the Press and Cultural department, Netherlands Consulate General, New York. 

How To Enter:

Fill out the application form on the Dutch Culture website along with the rules of engagement.

Good luck, we can’t wait to see your designs and meet YOU in NYC!