Red Dot Design Museum in Singapore

The items at Red Dot Design Museum range from the obvious to the absurd, but that is part of the fun. There are objects designed to improve the lives of people with disabilities: pregnancy tests for window shade people, elevated bathtubs and special taps for those with only one arm. Not all items are on the show due to the lack of space, but there are plenty of interactive displays.

With the rise of ‘green living’, environmentally friendly inventions have become very popular. You'll find several on display at Red Dot Design, including the Herbow – a small tray that allows people to grow vegetables on a window shelter. There are over 20 categories with plenty of fun objects too: a crib shaped like a mother’s womb that replicates the sounds the baby would hear inside before birth and shoes that are wearable in both hot and rainy weather. These look a bit ridiculous but would be very handy in Singapore!

Check out the schedules for MAAD (Market of Artists and Designers) usually hosted at the museum on the evening of the first or second Friday of every month – programs vary each year. Not only is entry free but you can also explore the MAAD artist and design stalls. If you feel that your life is lacking that ideal gadget you saw at the gallery, be sure to check out the shop on the ground floor, where you’ll find plenty of quirky and useful objects on sale.