In 2016 the first edition of the Venice Design Biennial (formerly Design.Ve -Venice Design Biennial) was launched in parallel with the Architecture Biennale.

The Venice Design Biennial was conceived as a new format devoted to present contemporary international design in the city of Venice. It was characterized by the alternation of proposals by emerging designers and those of well established brands, industrial serial products and unique works or limited editions, site-specific installations and collective exhibitions.

On the basis of this structure, the Venice Design Biennial 2016 presented the work of more than 80 designers in 12 different locations.

The Venice Design Biennial stemmed from an idea by Francesca Giubilei and Luca Berta, who are independent curators and the founders of Veniceartfactory. Alongside them the scientific committee was composed by Joris Montens, Ilaria Ruggiero, Francesca Valente, Nannet van der Kleijn and Micaela Zucconi. Samantha Punis and Giovanna Felluga of AtemporaryStudio were invited as communication managers and participated in the creative direction.