«The Design Museum Gent is the only museum in Belgium specialised in 20th-century and contemporary design. Over the last 30 years, the museum has evolved from collectin predominantly 18th-century style furniture into a leading, internationally orientated institution that often features design. It comes as no surprise that there is no single definition of what design is. Many writers and designers formulate their own definition: after a specific period, every movement and culture define design based on their interpretation. The Design Museum Gent prefers to embrace a broad definition. So, a number of requirements have to be met to a greater or lesser extent to be able to qualify as design: functionality, originality and innovation. Both serica and unica are eligible. Innovation refers to form, function, material or production technique.»
Lieven Daenens, director of Design Museum Gent
ref. Introduction to Design Museum Gent. History and Collections, 2007