As NYCxDesign approaches, the Big Apple is readying for its annual design festival, showcasing forward-facing work from emerging studios, artists, design firms, and major furniture manufacturers. From May 15-21, New York’s design week will take place throughout the city’s diverse boroughs and artistic enclaves, with its epicenter in Manhattan, and some of the most exciting shows taking root in Brooklyn and Queens.

Ahead of the busy calendar of parties, launches, and exhibitions, Hypebeast has curated a list of must-see shows and events to put on your radar. From Orior’s Mercer Street Block Party to Lichen’s intimate Biome show in Queens, below we’ve listed highlights from New York’s biggest fairs and indie group shows on the city’s outskirts.

Read on for our edit.

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The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF)

Arguably the US equivalent of Milan’s Salone Del Mobile, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) is the largest fair of NYCxDesign. Occupying the expansive Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan, the trade-geared event comprises numerous booths featuring installations and exhibitions from global manufacturers, artisans, and designers. Occupying 20,00 sqft of the floor, ICFF show “WANTED” will highlight emerging design talent, including work from Winkle Ceramic Design, Finnish designer Hanna Anonen, and Devin Wilde. Elsewhere, rare and collectible furniture dealer Rarify will return for “Form & Forest: Masters of Contemporary Woodwork,” where it will present wooden design in its rarest forms and boldest applications. The fair also includes immersive installations, workshops, and talks on design led by 80+ experts.

May 18-20 – Javits Center, 429 11th Ave

Shelter

Presenting a roster of 100+ brands and designers, Shelter is a new 3-day fair organized by home brand Afternoon Light. For the inaugural edition “VOL. 1: MART NOUVEAU,” brands like Blu Dot, Hem, Yamazaki Home, and Mooi will be present alongside small-scale fabricators and designers. Marking the 10th anniversary of the irreverent “JONALD DUDD” exhibit, Shelter will host “GRATEFUL DUDD,” guest curated by Chen Chen and Kai Williams. Additionally, NYCxDesign newcomer and Queer-led exhibition “Design Dysphoria” will partner with NYC dispensary and shop Gotham to present its second show, including new works from Studio S II, Lizzy Collins, and Get Sticky Glass.

May 18-20 - Starrett-Lehigh Building, 601 West 26th Street

The Independents by Colony

Curated by founder Jean Lin, Tribeca design gallery Colony will present “The Independents,” its biggest group show to date with 27 artists and designers, including alumni and graduates of its annual residency program. Marking its 11th exhibition for New York Design Week, the show will serve as “a love letter to the spirit of the independent designer, and the meaning behind the work,” said Lin in a letter to her community. In addition to established and contemporary studios, the show will include new faces, including Marmar Studio, Ember Studio, M.Pei Studio, Alara Alkan Studio, Thomas Yang Studio, Another World, Maxwell Taylor-Milner, and BC Joshua.

May 9-20 – Colony 196 West Broadway

Biome by Lichen

Towards the end of design week, Ridgewood-based design studio and shop Lichen will launch its group show “Biome” on Friday, May 23. The curation by the Lichen team will feature work by Yuxuan Huang, Vy Voi, Reginald Sylvester II, and hardware designer Malcolm Ransome. “Drawing reference from the ecological community type, formed in response to its physical environment and regional climate,” Lichen said the show “consists of members in our network whose work is emerging in the space of past meets present,” in an Instagram post. Over the weekend, an abridged viewing of select pieces from each designer will remain on view from 12 pm to 5 pm from May 24-25.

May 23-25 – Lichen, 564 Woodward Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385

OUTSIDE/IN  by Lyle Gallery

Lyle Gallery’s OUTSIDE/IN exhibit, co-curated by Hello Human, draws inspiration from the Outside Art Movement to explore themes of identity, materiality, and self-determination through unconventional works by 12 independent makers. Highlighting the unique vantage point of each artist and maker, the exhibition is aimed at the fringes of what’s historically considered “marketable” or “collectible” design. Pieces by Aliyah Salmon, Inderjeet Sandhu, Jaye Kim, Kawabi, Monica Curiel, Platform Studio, Salù Iwadi Studio, and more will be on view from May to June 1.

May 13 – June 1, Lyle Gallery, 24 Rutgers St, Fl 1

Every Shadow is a Color by Assembly Line

The Assembly Line shop by design firm General Assembly will open its “Every Shadow is a Color” installation on May 17, led by new work from New York-based design studio Juntos Projects. Drawing from  Josef Albers’ influential book, ‘Interaction of Color,’ the show explores how light and shadow influence color perception on three-dimensional objects. In addition to Juntos Projects, Atelier de Troupe, Blue Green Works, Rye, and Elitis will also have works on view. Close neighbors like ceramics studio East Fork, European tableware and home furnishings brand Porta, and home shop The Primary Essentials will also open their doors on the eve of May 17 for Boerum Hill Design Night.

May 17 – Assembly Line, 373 Atlantic Ave

The Family Show by Love House

NYC-based design showroom Love House has organized a large group show of more than 60 designers and artists from its community, aptly titled “The Family Show.” With each maker offering their unique interpretation of “family” through design, the show celebrates the gallery’s creative camaraderie with various talents. Though the show opens ahead of the official design week dates on May 9, Lovehouse will have its doors open from 11 am to 5 pm M-F until May 30. The show’s highlights include Eny Lee Parker, Monica Curiel, Farrah Sit, Forma Rosa Studio, Panorammma, Astraeus Clark, and many more.

May 9-30 – Lovehouse, 179 E Broadway

Forced Perspective

Forced Perspective is a two-day design show addressing how art and design respond “in an era where media distorts political and social views, and misinformation and disunity prevail.” Through this lens, the exhibition will highlight collectible furniture and design objects by 15  NYC creatives, expanding and reflecting on similar socio-political themes. Curated by NJ Roseti, Caleb Ferris, Kiki Goti, and The House Special Studio, the roster includes local talents including, office of tangible space, Luke Malaney,  Kim Mupangilaï, and Heechan Kim.

May 19-20 – Radio Star, 13 Greenpoint Ave

Mercer St Block Party by Orior and friends

Last, but surely not least, Irish furniture label Orior will hold its third annual edition of the Mercer Street Block Party on May 16, debuting an all-new collection at its refreshed showroom. Though led by Orior, neighbors including Amelie du Chalard, BDDW, Calico + Stellar Works, Henrybuilt and Space Theory, Kasthall, Nordic Knots, Roll & Hill, Uprise Art, and Petra + Sight Unseen at HOST will also be open to party-goers from 6 pm – 9 pm. The laid-back kick-off celebration is a great way to knock a few galleries and showrooms off your list early.

May 16 – Orior Showroom, 32 Mercer Street