MAKE THIS MOMENT MATTER

The theme of the upcoming edition of 3daysofdesign — taking place in Copenhagen from 17 to 19 June — explores the essence of design in contemporary culture

What is the essence of design? Some look back. Others lean forward. But the most honest answer lives somewhere neither past nor future can reach. It lives now.

That is the premise behind Make This Moment Matter — the 2026 theme of 3daysofdesign, Copenhagen’s beloved festival where, from 17 to 19 June, the city itself becomes a stage for ideas, objects, and the people who make them. It is a deceptively simple invitation. And like all simple things, it carries an enormous weight.

Because designing for the present means committing to purpose. Not a trend. Not legacy. Purpose. The why behind every choice of material, every spatial decision, every community built around a shared table. A design without a why is just an object. A design with one becomes something you remember.

“It takes courage to create,” says Signe Byrdal Terenziani, CEO of 3daysofdesign. “I hope Make This Moment Matter gives designers the impetus to be proactive — to take action without all the answers.“

Without all the answers. That part stays with you.

This year’s visual identity was created by On Display, a Copenhagen-based collective of cross-disciplinary creatives.

Their artwork is a collage: a black lily in a vase, still and elegant, with an Origami Teller folded on top. Stillness and movement. Reality and reflection. The lily doesn’t move. The Teller holds questions inside it, waiting to be opened.

It is a perfect image for a theme about presence. Because being present doesn’t mean having everything figured out. It means choosing to pay attention. Right here. Right now.

Life is a mosaic of moments. Design is how we choose to fill them.

Interview with Signe Byrdal Terenziani on ‘Make This Moment Matter’

Encouraging a collective recalibration from ‘more’ to ‘meaningful’, Signe Byrdal Terenziani, CEO & Managing Director of 3daysofdesign, answers some questions.

What inspired the theme Make This Moment Matter?

We’re living in times marked by chaos, confusion, and filtered realities. The result is a longing for depth. ‘Make This Moment Matter’ is a riveting reminder that the most powerful place we can be is the present moment. The past inspires us, and the future motivates us, but the only moment where we can truly have an impact is the one we’re in right now. Implicit in the theme is an imperative, encouraging designers and consumers to act with intent, and that will have a ripple effect. It signals a sense of urgency, where every moment is an opportunity. Carpe diem.

Why is finding your ‘why’ so important?

Purpose gives design meaning. When your ‘why’ is clear, it becomes the driving force behind what you create and how you create. Every design decision becomes more carefully considered. The same is true for every purchase decision by consumers.

How does the theme reflect the current state of the global design community?

It feels deeply connected to what I see happening in the global design community today. Designers everywhere are questioning the role of their practice. Why are we making this? What purpose does it serve? How does it impact our communities and our planet? When you ‘Make This Moment Matter,’ there’s a realisation that the choices we make have lasting consequences. It asks us to be present. To turn off autopilot and act with awareness. Including the collaborations we form, the concepts we co–create, and the stories we tell.

At the same time, the theme inspires optimism. It’s a reminder that design can illuminate our path toward co–creating a brighter future. That even the smallest gestures have a big impact.

For me, ‘Make This Moment Matter’ captures the spirit of a global community that is growing more reflective, more connected, and more committed to creating designs that truly make a difference. It invites all of us to treat this moment as an opportunity to act with intent and to shape a future we can stand behind.

Where does sustainability fit in?

‘Make This Moment Matter’ champions a shift in mindset, materials, and methods. I see designers incorporating sustainability into the foundation of their practice. I see renewed attention to raw materials, craftsmanship, artisan skills, cultural integrity, and longevity. There is a clear movement away from fast design toward work that endures emotionally and ethically. The theme encourages both designers and consumers to be conscious of their choices. To do something good that does something good.

In what way does the theme encourage circularity and long–term thinking?

By encouraging designers to ‘Make This Moment Matter,’ we’re also urging them to consider the lifespan of what they create, the impact, and the legacy they leave behind. From the materials they choose and how a design is produced, to how it lives on after its immediate purpose. Do the right thing, and do it with compassion — or don’t do it at all.

Can designers be environmentally responsible and still be creative?

They’re not two opposing ideas or mutually exclusive — they’re increasingly intertwined. Creativity is what helps us rethink waste, reimagine materials, and innovate more sustainable solutions. Using materials that won’t harm the planet. Creating interiors that enhance our wellbeing. And fostering a sense of belonging in our communities.

Is ‘Make This Moment Matter’ a call to rethink the overproduction and overconsumption that we often see in design?

Absolutely. It asks us to pause before creating anything new, and to consider whether it truly adds value to people, to culture, and to the planet. I believe design should be intentional, not excessive. The theme invites us all to focus on what is meaningful, rather than what is simply more.

How do you empower designers to design with intent?

At 3daysofdesign, we empower designers by giving them a platform where they can shine. A space for thoughtful and courageous work. When designers see that intention, awareness, and experimentation are valued, they feel freer to take risks, to question norms, and to create with purpose rather than pressure. We encourage creatives to explore designs with a raison d’être beyond form and function.

Ultimately, the power of design lies in its ability to transform spaces and, in doing so, the lives of the people who inhabit them.

How can people take action without having all the answers?

Courage is essential to creativity. You don’t need a perfect roadmap to move forward. Small, meaningful moves in the right direction form the stepping stones for big change. Ironically, perhaps the biggest waste for designers is time. Time that could be spent shaping a more regenerative world. There’s no time like the present.

You mention a ripple effect. How can one person’s actions influence the design community — and society at large?

Design is inherently collaborative. When one person makes a thoughtful choice, it inspires others to do the same. Change starts and spreads by setting an example. The result is a collective consciousness that we can harness to bring about even bigger change. When creatives and consumers come together, they elevate each other’s ideas, with an impact that none could ever achieve alone.

How does ‘Make This Moment Matter’ inspire designers to consider their legacy?

Recognising a design that’s ahead of its time requires a certain openness to unprecedented ideas that were previously impossible. Truly pioneering ideas often become defining moments in design. To a large extent, they tend to break with the past and envision a future that starts in the present. All of which gives them a timeless quality. ‘Make This Moment Matter’ begs the question: What legacy do you want to leave behind? By thinking along those lines, we are advocating the idea that what we create today will matter tomorrow. Likewise, what consumers buy today will also have an impact.

What do you hope visitors will take away from the festival this summer?

I hope they will leave feeling inspired to create with intent. To recognise that every moment holds the potential for something meaningful, and that their choices truly matter for all of us.

About Signe Byrdal Terenziani

Signe Byrdal Terenziani is a Strategic Brand Activator and Creative Conductor of global brands. Her strength lies in her ability to orchestrate the entire brand experience, from concept to completion. With a focus on PR, Marketing, Communications and Events, her aim is to amplify brand equity, build a compelling brand culture, create strong emotional connections, foster long-term loyalty, and ultimately drive sales.

Drawing on her extensive experience with design, exclusive, eco-conscious brands and curated exhibitions in Italy and Denmark, Signe Byrdal Terenziani applies her strategic acumen, creative vision, project planning and management skills to oversee global teams on a vast array of deliverables. From marketing campaigns, social media storytelling, interviews, videos, ads, websites and other brand assets, to press conferences, symposiums, podcasts, product launches, trade fairs and location scouting. The outcome is a consistent, cohesive and dynamic brand personality that resonates with consumers and industry professionals around the world.

In 2013, Signe Byrdal Terenziani spearheaded the idea of Denmark hosting its own design festival. Since her involvement, 3daysofdesign has become Denmark’s Official Design Festival and a pivotal player on the global design arena, with coverage by high-profile members of the international press. Starting with just four participating brands, she has been instrumental in increasing the number of exhibitors from Denmark and abroad to nearly 500. Boasting a registered number of 60,000 attendees, the actual number of visitors is estimated at several hundred thousand.

As CEO & Managing Director of 3daysofdesign, Signe Byrdal Terenziani is in charge of the entire festival, from the strategy, planning and curation of the exhibitors who participate, to the creative direction, PR, marketing and communications across all media channels. She supervises an international, multi-functional team to ensure a comprehensive package of brand collateral, from promotional materials to packaging. A strong advocate of inclusivity, supporting emerging talent, and unifying the global design community. All with the ultimate goal of creating a truly inspiring experience that’s meaningful and memorable beyond the 3 days. Among many accolades and awards, Signe Byrdal Terenziani was recently chosen by Dezeen as one of the 50 most influential women in design and architecture in the world.