The Design Museum features exhibits of architecture, fashion and graphic and industrial design which essentially means displays of everyday items that feature outstanding design. Sure you could see the same thing for free in a department store, but the Design Museum has carefully amassed a collection that includes everything from furniture to can openers and vacuum cleaners. The museum also hosts a programme of exhibits featuring the work of leading designers and also exhibitions centred around popular culture and the design of everyday objects.
Inside the Design Museum, near Holland Park in Kensington. (Photo © 2024 Rover Media)
What to see in the Design Museum
Designer Maker User is the museum’s permanent exhibition, which is divided into three galleries: Designer, Maker and User.
The Designer gallery focuses on the thought process behind successful design and the museum’s exhibits include the traffic light designed by David Mellor, British road signs designed by Jock Kinneir and Margaret Calvert and PriestmanGoode’s design for the new tube trains.
The Maker gallery illustrates the thought that designers put into the manufacturing process. This gallery features the Model T Ford, Thonet bentwood cafe chairs and the 2012 Olympic torch as well as everyday objects like tennis balls.
The User gallery features iconic objects that have defined everyday life during the last 100 years including the Vespa scooter, the Olivetti Valentine typewriter, the Braun record player, the Sony Walkman and the Apple iPhone.
Temporary exhibitions at the Design Museum
The museum also hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:
The World of Tim Burton
Tim Burton, known for his unique aesthetic, is the focus of a major exhibition (until 21 April 2025) showcasing his work across various media. Featuring illustrations, paintings and sculptures, visitors will explore Burton’s creative evolution and see how this has influenced his cinematic work. Drawn from his archive, the exhibition spans his artistic journey from childhood to the present day, highlighting recurring themes in his characters and worlds. This UK-exclusive display concludes a decade-long world tour, offering a comprehensive insight into Burton’s imaginative universe. £19.69–26.95.
Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style
This exhibition (until 17 August 2025) explores 100 years of swimming through design, from sports performance and fashion to architecture. It examines swimming across pools, lidos and open water, starting in the 1920s when swimwear moved beyond Victorian bathing traditions. Themes include body autonomy, environmental concerns and cultural shifts. Over 200 objects are featured, including Pamela Anderson’s Baywatch swimsuit, Olympic medals and early bikinis. £14.38.
The Ralph Saltzman Prize 2025
The Ralph Saltzman Prize (June–August 2025) recognises emerging product designers and returns to the Design Museum for its fourth year. Established by Lisa Saltzman on behalf of the Saltzman Family Foundation, it supports new talent in design. A panel of experts selects a winner for their innovative approach to contemporary themes. The recipient receives £10,000 and has their work displayed at the museum. Previous winners include Mac Collins, Marco Campardo and Attua Aparicio.
More than Human
This exhibition (11 July–5 October 2025) explores how design can support the planet by considering more than just human needs. It examines a growing movement of more-than-human design, showcasing international designers who emphasise coexistence with other species and ecosystems. Bringing together art, science and technology, it questions why design has traditionally focused on humans.
Blitz: The Club That Shaped the 80s
This exhibition (20 September 2025–29 March 2026) explores Blitz, the Covent Garden nightclub that helped define 1980s London style. Influenced by David Bowie, punk, soul and cabaret, it became a hub for young creatives shaping fashion, music and design. Forty years after its closure, the exhibition revisits its legacy through music, fashion and graphic design. Developed with former Blitz regulars, it features garments, drawings, photographs and videos, including items never seen publicly before.
Wes Anderson: The Exhibition
This exhibition (21 November 2025–26 July 2026) traces the evolution of Wes Anderson’s films from his early work in the 1990s to his most recent releases. It explores his distinctive visual style, recurring motifs and carefully constructed sets and costumes. Visitors can examine original props, costumes and behind-the-scenes material, including items from Anderson’s personal collection. The exhibition looks at his inspirations, influences and the craftsmanship behind films such as The Royal Tenenbaums and Moonrise Kingdom.
Visiting the Design Museum
The Design Museum is located in the former Commonwealth Institute on Kensington High Street. The closest tube station is High Street Kensington, which is an eight-minute walk away. Bus routes 9, 10, 27, 28, 49 and C1 also stop outside the museum.
Admission is free for the Designer Maker User permanent exhibition, but admission charges apply to many of the museum’s temporary exhibitions.
The entire museum is wheelchair accessible. Multisensory tours are available for blind and visually-impaired visitors as well as British Sign Language (BSL) tours for deaf visitors.
Nearby attractions include Holland Park and Kensington Palace, both within a 20-minute walk from the museum. The South Kensington Museum precinct (which includes the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum) is around a half-hour walk from the Design Museum.
Most visitors spend 1–2 hours visiting the Design Museum.
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