Museum of DesignAbout Museum of Design
The Museum of Design in Zürich (Museum für Gestaltung Zürich) is the Swiss museum dedicated to design, applied arts and visual communication. Its collections cover industrial design, product design, graphic arts and posters, and it presents rotating thematic exhibitions.
Exhibitions range from historic surveys of design practice to contemporary and applied projects; the museum also maintains reference collections used for research and education. The institution operates display spaces and collection storage suited to large-format and three-dimensional design objects.
In recent years the museum consolidated major exhibition and storage functions into the Toni-Areal site in Zürich-West, which provides expanded space for long-term installations and larger temporary shows. The museum works closely with academic design programmes and public outreach.
The Museum of Design is located in Zurich’s western district (Zürich-West) within the Toni-Areal complex, an industrial-heritage site repurposed for cultural and educational uses.
- Collections focus: The museum focuses on applied arts, industrial design and visual communication, with substantial holdings in graphic design and posters.
What to See#
- Toni-Areal location: The Toni-Areal building in Zürich-West, which houses large exhibition spaces and storage for applied arts and design collections and is shared with the Zurich University of the Arts.
Nearby Attractions to Museum of Design
Best Time to Visit Museum of Design
Visit in the shoulder seasons or winter for smaller crowds in the indoor Museum of Design.
Weather & Climate near Museum of Design
Museum of Design's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1096 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -2° - 3° | -2° | 67 mm | overcast | 88% | 2.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| February | Poor | -1° - 5° | 0° | 77 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.1h |
| March | Acceptable | 1° - 10° | 4° | 67 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.3 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 14° | 8° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.3 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Acceptable | 9° - 19° | 14° | 101 mm | overcast | 79% | 2.1 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.9h |
| June | Very Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 128 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.0 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.7h |
| July | Very Good | 14° - 24° | 19° | 120 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 1.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.3h |
| August | Very Good | 14° - 24° | 19° | 116 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 1.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.1h |
| September | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 1.7 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 9° | 83 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | 2° - 8° | 3° | 88 mm | overcast | 88% | 1.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| December | Poor | -1° - 4° | -1° | 81 mm | overcast | 88% | 2.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
How to Get to Museum of Design
The Museum of Design (Museum für Gestaltung Zürich) is at the Toni‑Areal complex in Zurich. Take S‑bahn or regional trains to Zürich Hardbrücke or Zürich Hauptbahnhof (HB) and then a short tram ride or a 10-15 minute walk to Toni‑Areal. The site is served by Zurich’s public transport network and there is nearby street/visitor parking if you arrive by car.
Tips for Visiting Museum of Design
- Approach the museum within the Toni-Areal complex via Hardbrücke station or nearby tram stops - the building is easily reached by public transport and is more clearly accessed from the Pfingstweidstrasse side.
- Check the museum's website for current temporary exhibitions before you go; the Museum of Design focuses on rotating shows, so the collection on display can change substantially and is the main draw.