Inspiration, artistry and skill are the hallmarks of a good artist—and a well-curated exhibition. For 2025, exhibitions are turning their attention to the culture and work behind the artwork. 'Morris Mania' examines the cult status of the head of the Arts and Crafts movement, while 'Textiles: The Art of Mankind' charts the world's evolution through the creative projects that have woven stories since pre-history. Grab a sketchpad and pencil to make a note of SPHERE's best design exhibitions to catch this year.
The Best Design Exhibitions to Spark Your Creativity
Words by
Daisy Finch
3rd July 2025
Inspiration is rarely plucked fully-formed from the air. If you're hoping to find your own artistic spark, consult SPHERE's list of the best design exhibitions of 2025—from pop culture to pre-history, these exhibits will make an artist of us all.
Where the Work Begins - Tate Liverpool
Antony Gormley's workshop grants access to a dreamlike interior life, and a similarly styled creative space. Credit: Martin Charles.
Tate Liverpool is turning design on its head for a peek behind the creative curtain. 'Where the Work Begins' examines the relationship between art and the space it's created in: using RIBA's collections, the exhibit charts the proverbial garret's evolution from the 1800s to present day. Here the studio is more than a three-dimensional canvas for the work of an artist; the studio becomes the basis for the art of a creative's life, comprising experimentation and self-expression.
Renowned voices in architecture and art, including Anish Kapoor, Dora Gordine and Antony Gormley, feature. But Tate has also emphasised its home in Liverpool, building on the Liverpool Biennial's theme 'BEDROCK' as well as incorporating the history, use and significance of local studio spaces.
To step backstage and take a look at the interior life of Liverpool's art scene, visit Tate Liverpool here.
'Where the Work Begins' is on at Tate Liverpool until 25 August 2025.
The Edwardians: Age of Elegance - Royal Collection Trust
Laurits Regner Tuxen's 1893 painting of the future King George V and Princess Mary of Teck gives scale to the Edwardian's sense of style.
The so-called 'Gilded Age' is renowned for its restrained elegance that welcomed in the changing century. Now, the Royal Collection Trust is welcoming visitors to explore the Edwardian era through their own collection, unveiling hidden stories of love, betrayal and a changing monarchy.
Step into a world of royal histories, from Edward and Alexandra's wedding, to Queen Alexandra's coronation and finally the precipice of the First World War. The Edwardians: Age of Elegance incapsulates some of the best of early twentieth-century design, featuring works by Carl Fabergé, Edward Burne-Jones, John Singer Sergent, and Rosa Bonheur.
Discover your own Edwardian elegance at the Royal Collection Trust here.
'Edwardians: The Age of Elegance' is on at The Royal Collection Trust until 23 November 2025.
Textiles: The Art of Mankind - The Fashion & Textile Museum
Textiles—both wearable and decorative—chart a beautiful history of community and craft.
The Fashion and Textile Museum's current exhibition examines our relationship to textiles through time, from pre-history to the current moment. 'Textiles: The Art of Mankind' charts our use of textiles to explore texture and colour, to record history and preserve creative skills.
Far from being solely decorative, textiles have long represented ideas around identity, community and our relationship to the natural world. Highlights of the exhibition include a textile representing fertility from Panama depicting a mermaid and a reflection on Sardinia's history of occupation.
To weave through the threads of time, visit The Fashion and Textile Museum here.
'Textiles: The Art of Mankind' is on at The Fashion and Textile Museum is on until 7 September 2025.
Birds of a feather flock together as textile-enthusiasts descend on the Fashion and Textile Museum. Credit: The Regents of the University of California, Davis campus.
Morris Mania - William Morris Gallery
Morris' trademark whiplash lines and organic patterns coating every surface, with so much to distract the senses it's hard to see the woods for the trees. Credit: Nicola Tree.
William Morris is one of British designs most well-respected names, both for his organic designs and environmental advocacy, in the nineteenth-century. The William Morris Gallery's 'Morris Mania' celebrates this longstanding legacy, mapping the effect Morris has had on design on pop culture.
The exhibit includes 'Wallpaper' a commissioned documentary by filmmaker Natalie Cubides-Brady which examines Morris' onscreen-cameos in My Fair Lady, Django Unchained to Gogglebox—to only mention a few. The static collection on display includes public and private contributions such as a ‘Rose’ patterned seat from the 1980s British Nuclear Submarine Fleet and a waving cat from Japan.
To talk a walk through the woods of Morris' influence on modern culture, visit the William Morris Gallery here.
'Morris Mania' is on at the William Morris Gallery until 21 September 2025.
British Textile Biennial - Lancashire
A weaving demonstration at the British Textile Biennial. Credit: Tom Smith, courtesy of the British Textile Biennial
The British Textile Biennial invites artists to explore cultural history and modern day through the lens of textile design. Scattered across Lancashire, visitors can explore the best creative voices from the county and beyond.
From Tim Smith's 'Weaving the Future' exploring textile history, performance and photography to 'The Synthetic Revolution' at Haworth Gallery curated by fashion historian Amber Butchart and artist Claire Wellesley-Smith, who assess the legacy of polyester's cultural and environmental impact.
Thread through Lancashire with the British Textile Biennial, with more information here.
The British Textile Biennial runs between 2 October – 2 November across sites in Lancashire.
Garden Futures: Designing with Nature - V&A Dundee
Céline Baumann's 'Parliament of Plants' (2020) imagines a rosier political world.
Whether you've put down roots or forced to stick to potted palms, V&A Dundee's 'Garden Futures' exhibit examines gardens in all their forms, from sprawling lines decorated with neatened stripes to charming window box arrangements. The exhibition explores the work of Piet Oudolf and Derek Jarman, as well as those artists, writers and creatives who took inspiration from the natural world, such as Jamaica Kincaid and William Morris.
It's a less obvious avenue for creative direction than clothing or interior design, but 'Garden Futures' explores what avenues for creative expression and collaboration exist within these constraints.
To take a wander through the hedgerows, book tickets here.
'Garden Futures: Designing with Nature' is on at V&A Dundee until 25 January 2026.
Permanent Collection - V&A East Storehouse
Frank Lloyd Wright's 1930s Kaufmann Office is one of several rooms moved in their entirety onto the V&A East Storehouse premises. Credit: Kemka Ajoku
The newly opened V&A East Storehouse has brought several key cultural touch points in the history of design to East London in their entirety. From Frank Lloyd Wright's 1930s Kaufmann office to the Torrijos Ceiling, there's ample inspiration in store. Packed shelves are lined with art nouveau vases, inlaid cabinets and antique textiles.
If you want a closer look, their Order an Object programme allows you to book a personal viewing seven days a week, and visitors can look forward to the David Bowie Centre, opening 13 September 2025.
If you fancy a feast for the eyes or a personal tasting, find further information here.
The permanent collection is now open at V&A East Storehouse.
