Destination Eindhoven

Despite a size that is tiny by global standards (if, at 230,000 inhabitants, large by Dutch ones) and a somewhat gloomy aspect, the Dutch city of Eindhoven is home to one of Europe’s most esteemed and creative design schools: Design Academy Eindhoven. Its reputation and strong focus on artistic expression over functionality attract designers from around the world, including many from Asia, who make up an Eastern community far from home.

The city itself is inseparable from its design history. Once light bulb manufacturer Philips was founded there, what was once a small town