Everything You Need to Know About the Design Futures Forum 2024

Published on August 12, 2024 | by DSGN arcHive

Curious about where design is heading? Discover how it’s shaping the future at the Design Futures Forum 2024.

Design is evolving faster than ever, and if you’re curious about where it’s headed, the Design Futures Forum 2024 is a must. Hosted by the DesignSingapore Council (Dsg) during Singapore Design Week (SDW), this event is the place to be. It’s bringing together over 30 thought leaders from around the world, all focused on shaping the future of design. Taking place from 1 to 2 October 2024, at Victoria Theatre and The Arts House, this two-day forum will be an inspiring journey. You’ll explore how design can guide us toward a brighter, collective future.

Design Futures Forum 2024

What’s the Theme?

This year’s theme, “Designing Our Collective Future,” is all about something truly impactful. It’s exploring how design shapes emerging technologies, sustainability, and care systems. And these aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the essentials for building a more resilient and shared future for everyone.

Day 1: Diving into Emerging Technologies, Sustainability, and Care

Let’s dive into what’s happening on the first day. It all starts with a keynote by tech futurist Cathy Hackl, often known as the “godmother of the spatial web.” With AI and spatial computing on the rise, Hackl will break down how these cutting-edge technologies are transforming design, industries, and even our daily lives. She’s here to help us make sense of this tech convergence and why it’s so important for the future.

After Hackl sets the tone, the forum will dive into three major segments: Emerging Technologies, Sustainability, and Care.

Emerging Technologies: The New Creative Playground

First up is the Emerging Technologies segment, curated by venture capitalist Debra Langley from Lyra Ventures. Here, you’ll get to hear from experts like Jeremy Ang, Global Technology Alliance Director at BytePlus, and Alex Govoreanu, CEO of Questo. They’ll be discussing how technology and design are evolving together. Moreover, it’s all about how human creativity can navigate and thrive in this new digital landscape. So, get ready to explore how we can push boundaries and embrace the future of design.

Sustainability: Moving Beyond Basic Green Practices

Next, we shift gears to the Sustainability segment, led by Aric Chen, General and Artistic Director of Het Nieuwe Instituut. The key message? Basic sustainability efforts just aren’t enough anymore. We need bold, regenerative design practices to secure a viable future for our planet. Joining this crucial conversation are visionaries like Thai architect Boonserm Premthada and Mitchell Joachim, co-founder of Terreform ONE. They’ll be sharing their insights on why regenerative design is the way forward and how we can make it a reality.

Care: Redesigning Health and Well-being

Finally, we’ll turn our attention to the Care segment, led by Tamsin Greulich-Smith, who heads the DesignSingapore Council’s School of X. This discussion will explore how design can enhance health and quality of life, from adaptive clothing to care systems and environments. You’ll hear from experts like Professor Wong Hon Tym from the National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Professor Jeanne Tan from AidLab, and Claudia Poh, founder of the adaptive clothing label Werable. They’ll dive into how design can truly transform care experiences for both patients and clinicians.

As the day comes to a close, there’s a final panel facilitated by Ziqq Rafit, Global Pillar Lead for Gen-AI Ethics and Governance at Ernst and Young. This session will bring together the day’s discussions, offering a well-rounded look at what the future of design holds.

Day 2: From Insights to Action

Now, let’s dive into Day 2. If Day 1 was all about inspiration, Day 2 is focused on action. This is where you’ll get the chance to roll up your sleeves and get involved. You’ll participate in interactive sessions and intimate presentations that build on the discussions from the day before. It’s your opportunity to take what you’ve learned and start putting ideas into motion.

Emerging Technologies: Design for Social Impact

In the Emerging Technologies segment, Copenhagen-based platform Design Matters will highlight how new digital technologies can drive lasting social impact. Reginé Gilbert, author of “Inclusive Design for a Digital World: Designing with Accessibility in Mind,” will lead the discussion. She’ll be joined by experts like Megan Bednarczyk from Duolingo and Tobias Ahlin from GitHub. Together, they’ll explore how design can make a real difference—one digital solution at a time.

Sustainability: Tackling Climate Change from All Angles

In the Sustainability segment, led by Wendy Chua of Forest & Whale and Dr. Ying Seow, you’ll dive into both big-picture and detailed issues related to climate change. This is your chance to join panels discussing everything from plastic use to local sustainability movements. Key speakers include Dr. Chris Lim, an ophthalmic surgeon and sustainability advocate, and Dr. Srilalitha Gopalakrishnan from the Future Cities Laboratory Global. Get ready to engage with ideas that make a real impact.

Care: Co-Creating a Healthier Tomorrow

Finally, in the Care segment, Tamsin Greulich-Smith and her team will lead you through co-creation activities and lively debates on improving care systems. Whether it’s designing apparel, environments, or even cultures, this segment focuses on finding innovative ways to enhance care outcomes. You can look forward to insights from leaders like Proud Patanavanich from Bangkok’s MedPark Hospital and Pilar Diaz Gonzalez, CEO of Femography.

Why You Should Be Excited

Dawn Lim, Executive Director of the DesignSingapore Council, sums it up perfectly: “By bringing together thought leaders, designers, and innovators from all over the world, the Design Futures Forum is actively encouraging our participants to inspire change in their own spheres of influence.” This forum isn’t just about listening—it’s about sparking action, driving conversations, and fostering collaborations that will shape a future that’s more sustainable, technologically ethical, and healthier for all.

Join the Conversation

If this all sounds exciting to you, don’t miss out! Tickets for the Design Futures Forum 2024 are on sale now, with early bird discounts available until August 31, 2024. Head over to the official website for the latest updates and to secure your spot.

About DSGN arcHive

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