Stop Motion Workshop
Warm-up Day
Oct 23
Oct 23
Conf Day 1
Oct 24
Oct 24
Conf Day 2
Oct 25
Oct 25
Overview
Detail view
9:00-9:30
12:30-13:30
Lunch Break
16:30-18:30
Mingling
18:30-21:30
Evening Meetup
18:30-19:15
NETWORKING:
Networking Session - Anamaria Dorgo (Handle With Brain)
19:15-21:00
NETWORKING:
Meetup & Nerd Pub Quiz - Meetup & Pub Quiz (With Luke Murphy (zeroheight))
21:00-
See you tomorrow!
Warm up the engines and get your fill of energy through a series of activities designed to set your creativity free, think about the future, and make new friends before the conference!
9:00 - 9:30
Check-in & Coffee
9:30 - 12:30
dina Amin
Tinker Studio
Read more +
Stop Motion Workshop
Use scrap bits and pieces from old electronics and transform them into a scrappy little creature that magically comes to life using Stop Motion Animation. In this workshop you’ll learn how to make a magical stop motion loop with just your phone!
Keywords:
STOP-MOTION ANIMATION
9:30 - 12:30
Planetary Dreaming: Designing the Future
Royal Danish Academy
Ida Engholm, Brian Frandsen, Christina Reedtz Funder, Else-Marie Bierlich, Henriette Melchiorsen, Sebastian Elers La Cour
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Planetary Dreaming: Designing the Future
The workshop combines approaches from design thinking with perspectives from indigenous thinking and focuses on how we can develop new approaches for working with uncertainty and hosting more meaningful and courageous conversations about our common future, about planetary and interplanetary well-being. The questions explored in the workshop are: What constitutes wisdom for the future? How might wisdom involve balancing learning from the past while being open to the future? How is wisdom linked to imagination, action, and decision-making? What is the role of design and designers?
Keywords:
DESIGN THINKING
SUSTAINABILITY
FUTURE
9:30 - 12:30
Tech for All: Innovating with Diversity in Mind
Nikhita Ghugari & Swar Raisinghani
Xeno Co-lab
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Tech for All: Innovating with Diversity in Mind
In today’s world, many businesses and designers mistakenly assume that digital behaviors are uniform across consumer profiles, overlooking the rich diversity that exists even in digital spaces. This workshop emphasizes the importance of understanding diverse consumer perspectives to create tech solutions that are inclusive and help bridge the digital divide. Swar and Nikhita will share their experiences working with diverse Indian consumers, offering insights into how they perceive and interpret digital privacy—revealing key differences from European perspectives. The session highlights why businesses must consider these varied digital behaviors while innovating, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. Join them for this interactive workshop where you’ll explore how diverse digital behaviors shape privacy interpretations and how to incorporate them when developing new tech solutions.
Keywords:
INNOVATION
DEI
DIGITAL PRVACY
USER BEHAVIOR
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch Break
13:30 - 16:30
Beyond human-centered design – a manifesto
Mark Guarraia, Henrik Lübker & Lotte Nystrup Lund
Novo Nordisk | Design Denmark | Futurista
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Shape the future of design through collaborative creativity. Led by industry experts and facilitators Lotte Nystrup Lund, Mark Guarraia and Henrik Lübker, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of 10 guiding principles.
Keywords:
FUTURE OF MORE-THAN-HUMAN BASED DESIGN
CREATIVITY
13:30 - 15:00
What will happen in the future of design?
Open Roundtable
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What will happen in the future of design?
The Open Roundtable is a precious opportunity for dialogue and discussion around the future of design; what will design look like in the future? What trends are going to take over and what trends are going to die? What skills do designers need to have? The Open Roundtable is made of the historic speakers of the previous editions of Design Matters – one speaker per edition. You can choose whether to be part of the discussion together with the speaker or simply to listen to the conversation.
Keywords:
FUTURE OF DESIGN
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
15:00 - 17:00
Live Podcast
Live Podcast on Sustainability
Design Tracks
Read more +
Live Podcast
Listen to Sam and Layshi as they record the second season of Design Tracks with new guests!This season will focus on sustainability and futures.
16:30 - 18:30
Mingling
Food and Drinks will be served from 17:00 on
18:30 - 21:30
Evening Meetup
Open to Full Experience and Conference Experience ticket holders.
See the schedule below
18:30 - 19:15
Networking Session
Anamaria Dorgo
Handle With Brain
Read more +
Networking Session
Make new friends and expand your international network! Anamaria will help you connect with new people in a series of interactive and fun activities.
19:15 - 21:00
Meetup & Nerd Pub Quiz
Meetup & Pub Quiz
With Luke Murphy (zeroheight)
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Meetup & Nerd Pub Quiz
Prepare yourself for a great opportunity to network and get into the conference mood! Meet the people and speakers who will attend the conference and have a drink…or two! As partners of Design Matters, zeroheight are also hosting a Nerd Pub Quiz to end all pub quizzes. Expect everything from design to video games to music to anime. No topic is safe from their fiendishly pedantic host, Luke Murphy.
21:00 -
See you tomorrow!
Overview
Detail view
Overview
Detail view
8:00-9:00
CHECK-IN & BREAKFAST
9:00-9:15
WELCOME:
Welcome to Design Matters 24 - Sam Horner (Google Play)
9:15-9:30
INTRO:
Introduction to the Conference Themes - Sophie Tahran (The New Yorker (Condé Nast))
9:30-10:00
TALK:
The Hitchhiker's Guide to Design - Batsirai Madzonga
10:00-10:30
TALK:
Latent Ecologies: Guiding Climate Decisions Through Design - Rachel Poonsiriwong (Terrascope)
10:30-11:00
TALK:
Building an AI-driven UX research repository - Ben Shih (Lokalise)
11:00-11:30
COFFEE BREAK
11:30-13:00
Choose your Nerd Track
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
11:30-11:50
TALK 1:
Eat, Save, Love: Engaging Heroes in the Fight Against Food Waste - Christina Collura (Too Good To Go)
11:50-12:15
TALK 2:
Making by Breaking - dina Amin (Tinker Studio)
12:15-12:35
TALK 3:
99 Lessons for Doing Creative Work - Stijn Zoontjens (ex Doist, ex Google Maps)
12:35-13:00
TALK 4:
How to detect climate bs - Laura Krarup Frandsen (Independent)
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
11:30 -13:00
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP :
The Futures Healthcare Fair: The artifacts of the futures -
Laerdal Medical (Laerdal Medical )
ONLINE WORKSHOP :
With Dilemmas From the Future -
Minami Hirayama (independent)
13:00-14:00
LUNCH BREAK
14:00-15:30
Choose your Nerd Track
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
14:00-14:25
TALK 1:
Crafted Art Projects: Exploring the Purpose of Artistic Expression - Anton Sokolov (1/2 8 | JetBrains)
14:25-14:45
TALK 2:
Chasing AI - Simone Attanasio (Canva (Ecosystem))
14:45-15:10
TALK 3:
From Human Design to Planet Design - Ida Engholm (The Royal Danish Academy)
15:00-15:30
TALK 4:
Crafting Clarity: the power of visual storytelling - Paula Madrid (BIG)
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
14:00-15:30
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP :
What makes a designer in the future -
Morten Lindhardt Madsen & Rasmus Sanko (Charlie Tango)
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP :
Designing for Your Future Self -
Reginé Gilbert (New York University Tandon School of Engineering)
ONLINE WORKSHOP :
AI Can't Do It Alone: The Need for Human Designers -
Lilibeth Bustos Linares (Souldoodles)
15:30-16:00
COFFEE BREAK
16:00-16:30
TALK:
Typography in Design Systems - Bianca Berning (Spotify)
16:30-17:00
TALK:
Social Sustainability in Tech - Nikhita Ghugari & Swar Raisinghani (Xeno Co-lab)
17:00-17:30
TALK:
Design Didn't Save the World: Now What? - Chappell Ellison (Launch by NTT Data)
17:30-19:00
FOOD & DRINKS
19:00-19:30
NIGHT TALK:
Fail Better - Luke Murphy (zeroheight)
19:30-20:00
NIGHT TALK:
Finding humor in the mundane - Edith Pritchett (Cartoonist)
20:00-20:30
NIGHT TALK:
The Dunning-Kruger Effect in Design - Pablo Stanley (Musho & Lummi)
20:30-21:30
LIVE MUSIC:
Feel the beat - DJ MOF!YAH (Music Artist)
21:30-21:45
SEE YOU TOMORROW!
8:00 - 9:00
CHECK-IN & BREAKFAST
9:00 - 9:15
Welcome to Design Matters 24
Sam Horner
Google Play
9:15 - 9:30
Introduction to the Conference Themes
Sophie Tahran
The New Yorker (Condé Nast)
Read more +
Introduction to the Conference Themes
Sophie will present the themes of Design Matters 24 and give an intro talk opening the event. As representative of the Committee that contributed to decide the themes of the conference, she will offer her take on the hottest topics in design of 2024.
Keywords :
THEMES
DESIGN TRENDS
9:30 - 10:00
The Hitchhiker's Guide to Design
Batsirai Madzonga
Read more +
The Hitchhiker's Guide to Design
Batsi’s talk will focus on the concept of creativity, highlighting how the creative arts have endured and reinvented themselves over centuries of innovation. He will explore how designers can reinvent themselves in the current landscape of adversity and change, not only to remain relevant but to flourish.
Keywords :
CREATIVITY
INNOVATION
ADAPTING TO CHANGE
10:00 - 10:30
Latent Ecologies: Guiding Climate Decisions Through Design
Rachel Poonsiriwong
Terrascope
Read more +
Latent Ecologies: Guiding Climate Decisions Through Design
As consumers, our choices often shape more than we realize—but making sustainable decisions can feel out of reach without the right information. This talk delves into the role of design in making these hidden systems visible, empowering more informed decisions in our day-to-day lives. Rachel will share insights from her work in climate tech, focusing on how product and corporate carbon footprinting tools help enterprises in the food and agricultural sectors. These tools identify decarbonization opportunities throughout a product’s life cycle, including the influence of consumer behavior. By exposing high-emission factors, design holds the power to reshape our decision-making, guiding more eco-conscious choices at scale.
Keywords :
CLIMATE TECH
SUSTAINABILITY
10:30 - 11:00
Building an AI-driven UX research repository
Ben Shih
Lokalise
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Building an AI-driven UX research repository
Building a knowledge base that effectively stores and organizes user insights is a dream for many UX teams. However, it’s challenging, especially for companies with limited resources. In this talk, I will share how we at Lokalise leverage AI to automatically analyze user interviews, tag insights, and establish a fully automated UX research repository. This allows all UX stakeholders to easily contribute to and access user insights within minutes.
Keywords :
AI
UX
11:00 - 11:30
COFFEE BREAK
11:30 - 13:00
Choose your Nerd Track
Listen to talks or participate in a workshop
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
11:30 - 11:50
Eat, Save, Love: Engaging Heroes in the Fight Against Food Waste
Christina Collura
Too Good To Go
Read more +
Eat, Save, Love: Engaging Heroes in the Fight Against Food Waste
In this talk, you'll explore with Christina the way Too Good To Go engages consumers, focusing on how they empower their “heroes” to make a difference. You'll learn how thoughtful engagement design can help consumers overcome the feeling of powerlessness and foster a sense of agency in the fight against climate change.
Keywords:
DESIGNER TIPS
TRENDS
11:50 - 12:15
Making by Breaking
dina Amin
Tinker Studio
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Making by Breaking
In this talk dina will share how tinkering and taking things apart was the beginning of her career as a stop motion artist and a maker. She will share how it all started, what she has learnt so far and the biggest mistakes she has made.
Keywords:
STOP-MOTION ART
CREATIVITY
12:15 - 12:35
99 Lessons for Doing Creative Work
Stijn Zoontjens
ex Doist, ex Google Maps
Read more +
99 Lessons for Doing Creative Work
In this talk, Stijn distills his top insights on fostering creativity in professional and personal projects. Drawing from his experiences at Google Maps, Doist, and as a music producer, he’ll share practical lessons on balancing structure with spontaneity, overcoming creative blocks, and maintaining consistency. He explores how these principles shape his daily work, whether managing complex tech projects or composing music. Through real-world examples, Stijn will highlight how creativity thrives through discipline, collaboration, and playfulness, offering valuable takeaways for anyone seeking to boost their creative output.
Keywords:
CREATIVITY
12:35 - 13:00
How to detect climate bs
Laura Krarup Frandsen
Independent
Read more +
How to detect climate bs
In this talk, fashion designer and climate activist Laura will take you on a journey where you’ll learn how to detect bs when it comes to sustainability in design; you’ll learn how to figure out when it’s green washing instead of actual sustainable design practices. You’ll leave knowing how to navigate the sustainability space, with new or better-defined vocabulary to create real change for the future of design.
Keywords:
SUSTAINABILITY
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
11:30-13:00
13:00
The Futures Healthcare Fair: The artifacts of the futures
Troels Villumsen, Andrea Østmo da Costa, Veronica Bluguermann & My Enetjärn
Laerdal Medical
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The Futures Healthcare Fair: The artifacts of the futures
What signals of change do you see for the future? Are you optimistic, pessimistic, or neither- why? Join for a creative and hands-on session and become both inventor and merchant of the artefacts of the futures of healthcare. You will become familiar with the Futures Bazaar methodology as a Forecasting and Ideation tool, where everyday items are transformed into futuristic objects that aim to provoke thought, amuse, and inspire. Just as you might travel to different places to have new experiences and see how others live, creating a Futures Fair is a way to explore each other’s imaginations. This collective effort is the first step to co-create alternative future scenarios. You’ll explore the potential impacts of these futures on healthcare, identifying innovative opportunities and challenges they present. Come and experience this activity of futures thinking, and explore the futures of healthcare! Special Requirements: • Access to ChatGPT from your mobile device or laptop. • One object you don’t need anymore. It should be something that does not take up much space in your backpack or purse. Be mindful that this object will be hacked or destroyed during the workshop.
Keywords:
FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE
CREATIVITY
CRAFTING
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
11:30-13:00
13:00
With Dilemmas From the Future
Minami Hirayama
independent
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With Dilemmas From the Future
Join Minami’s online workshop based on her book “With Dilemmas From the Future – What can graphic designers do in the era of climate crisis?”. In the first half of the workshop, you will hear her talk about the relationship between graphic design and hyper-consumerism and her personal story of becoming a designer while concerned about climate change. In the second half, Minami will share inspirational insights from the interviews she conducted in the book. You will take part in interactive activities and exercises to think about good practices and what graphic designers can do. The exercises will be mostly individual work, but you will be able to share thoughts and results with the rest of the group.
Keywords:
GRAPHIC DESIGN
CLIMATE CRISIS
HYPERCONSUMERISM
ACTIVISM
ONLINE ONLY
Only livestream ticket holders can attend this workshop
13:00 - 14:00
LUNCH BREAK
14:00 - 15:30
Choose your Nerd Track
Listen to talks or participate in a workshop
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
14:00 - 14:25
Crafted Art Projects: Exploring the Purpose of Artistic Expression
Anton Sokolov
1/2 8 | JetBrains
Read more +
Crafted Art Projects: Exploring the Purpose of Artistic Expression
In today’s ever-changing world, AI brings both opportunities and challenges for visual artists. In this talk, Anton will delve into the heart of our craft. Through his own art project, halfof8.com, he’ll share how creativity drives him and how it can impact us all. You’ll start by understanding the essence of his project and then peek behind the scenes to see how it’s made. Anton will also discuss how this project has personally influenced him, without making grand claims. His goal isn’t just to share his journey, but also to spark that same creative spark in each of you.
Keywords:
AI
CREATIVITY
VISUAL DESIGN
14:25 - 14:45
Chasing AI
Simone Attanasio
Canva (Ecosystem)
Read more +
Chasing AI
In this rapidly evolving AI era, the pursuit of innovation often leads to a frantic chase for the latest trends. Yet, many find themselves without a clear strategy or the necessary tools to truly understand and play the AI game. Drawing from his 20-year journey in the industry, Simone will reflect on the evolution of design trends and share practical insights on how to navigate the complexities of the AI landscape while staying true to your core values as a designer.
Keywords:
AI
DESIGN EVOLUTION
14:45 - 15:10
From Human Design to Planet Design
Ida Engholm
The Royal Danish Academy
Read more +
From Human Design to Planet Design
In her talk, Professor Ida Engholm will argue that instead of focusing on how design can serve humanity, we should critically question what fundamental values and world views our design is based on. So far, our design has been centred on human users and our needs, but today, the scale of the environmental crisis compels us to put the planet first. Learn how to go from human-centred to planet-centred design.
Keywords:
PLANET-CENTRED DESIGN
SUSTAINABILITY
15:00 - 15:30
Crafting Clarity: the power of visual storytelling
Paula Madrid
BIG
Read more +
Crafting Clarity: the power of visual storytelling
In this talk, Paula will tell about her journey from architecture to graphic design, explaining how she discovered the power of conveying complex ideas without words. Through examples, she’ll illustrate the role of storytelling in architecture and share insights on simplifying intricate concepts into digestible diagrams. Finally, she’ll share her experience designing a user-friendly language for an architectural guide to space.
Keywords:
STORYTELLING
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN COMMUNICATION
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
14:00-15:30
15:30
What makes a designer in the future
Morten Lindhardt Madsen & Rasmus Sanko
Charlie Tango
Read more +
What makes a designer in the future
This speculative design workshop invites participants to explore how emerging trends might redefine the future of design. Working in groups, participants will delve into the potential impact of current developments—ranging from AI, space exploration to Climate changes and the worlds aging population— and investigate how these evolving forces might transform what it means to be a designer and the skills, roles, responsibilities and identities of future designers. Whether you’re a designer or simply curious about the future, come collaborate, imagine, and rethink the role of designers and their contribution to society in the years to come.
Keywords:
SPECULATIVE DESIGN
AI
CLIMATE CHANGE
FUTURE
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
14:00-15:30
15:30
Designing for Your Future Self
Reginé Gilbert
New York University Tandon School of Engineering
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Designing for Your Future Self
This hands-on workshop helps participants imagine their future selves and design for inclusivity and accessibility in that context. By the end, participants will have created a persona for their future self, explored accessibility needs, and collaborated on ways to create a more inclusive future through design.
Keywords:
AI
HUMAN CREATIVITY
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
14:00-15:30
15:30
AI Can't Do It Alone: The Need for Human Designers
Lilibeth Bustos Linares
Souldoodles
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AI Can't Do It Alone: The Need for Human Designers
In today's rapidly evolving world, AI is reshaping industries and transforming the way we live and work. From automating routine tasks to generating creative content, AI's capabilities are expanding at an unprecedented pace. However, as AI becomes more sophisticated, it's crucial to remember that it's not a replacement for human ingenuity and creativity. In fact, the rise of AI makes it even more important for designers to focus on their unique strengths: soft skills. In this workshop, you will: • Explore the key soft skills that every designer needs. • Learn practical design thinking techniques. • Practice empathy-driven design methodologies. • Develop a growth mindset for continuous learning and adaptation.
Keywords:
SOFT SKILLS
DESIGN THINKING
ADAPTATION
ONLINE ONLY
Only livestream ticket holders can attend this workshop
15:30 - 16:00
COFFEE BREAK
16:00 - 16:30
Typography in Design Systems
Bianca Berning
Spotify
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Typography in Design Systems
Typography is at the heart of a cohesive user experience, especially when designing for a global audience. Join Bianca as she delves into how Encore – Spotify’s Design system – leverages variable fonts for performance, while ensuring Spotify’s typography is expressive, accessible, and culturally relevant across 74 languages and 192 markets.
Keywords :
TYPOGRAPHY
ACCESSIBILITY
16:30 - 17:00
Social Sustainability in Tech
Nikhita Ghugari & Swar Raisinghani
Xeno Co-lab
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Social Sustainability in Tech
It’s safe to say that the challenges presented by emerging technologies are forcing everyone to reimagine the way we work across all industries. The rallying call for a more ethical practice to build innovative tech solutions requires a systemic approach that radically changes the way tech companies work – across people, product and process, and align it to business KPIs. Through their talk, Swar & Nikhita will summarise the challenges that we face as humanity and the unintended consequences of emerging tech on consumers and society. They will share a framework around Social Sustainability in Tech (SST) & a toolkit to practice it that they have recently released in an open source report. The framework lays out 3 key principles for designers and industry leaders to align the practices of companies in a way that can result in a more socially & ethically responsible practice for tech. They will encourage everyone to take the first step in thinking intentionally about the ethical use of our skill sets and technology and how we can make the space safer for the consumers.
Keywords :
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
SOCIAL & ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY
TECHNOLOGICAL IMPACT
17:00 - 17:30
Design Didn't Save the World: Now What?
Chappell Ellison
Launch by NTT Data
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Design Didn't Save the World: Now What?
Flashback to 2008: Steve Jobs had just debuted the iPhone. A U.S. presidential candidate won the election by running on the word, “Hope.” Online media reached a new zenith of investment and promised platforms to new, inspiring voices. It was this optimism that filled the air as design was given its chance to influence culture like never before. Designers filled TED talks and main stages and brought forward a rallying cry: “Design will save the world.” The phrase was, for many years inescapable, as design asserted itself to buy a seat at the table. Nearly twenty-five years have passed, and design didn’t live up to its TED Talk promises. This talk is an examination and indictment of how our optimism, naivete, and hubris on main stages defined the last 25 years of design. What lessons can we pass on to the next generation of designers to empower them to shape the next decade for the better? And can design truly save the world?
Keywords :
HISTORY OF DESIGN
17:30 - 19:00
FOOD & DRINKS
19:00 - 19:30
Fail Better
Luke Murphy
zeroheight
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Fail Better
Luke’s life is a masterclass in failure, spanning tech startups, art projects, theatre companies, and even marriages. If there’s a way to fail, Luke has found it, tried it, and probably failed at it. Join Luke for a session where they will attempt to put a positive spin on their greatest flops. You might not leave inspired to embrace failure, but you’ll definitely enjoy a little schadenfreude. After all, nothing says “light evening entertainment” like someone else’s relentless string of screw-ups.
Keywords :
EMBRACING FAILURE
HUMOUR
19:30 - 20:00
Finding humor in the mundane
Edith Pritchett
Cartoonist
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Finding humor in the mundane
Edith will talk about making autobiographical work and finding humor in the mundane. Also how being honest about the more embarrassing parts of your life can often generate responses that make you realize we’re all more similar than we think. The talk will cover many of her internal conflicts that she’s shamelessly mined to generate content. Struggles such as: ‘I hate that fleece my partner wears,’ ‘will my feet scare the pedicurist?’ and ‘I got tricked on instagram into spending £50 on shampoo’ and many more of life’s big topics.
Keywords :
CARTOON
HUMOUR
20:00 - 20:30
The Dunning-Kruger Effect in Design
Pablo Stanley
Musho & Lummi
Read more +
The Dunning-Kruger Effect in Design
Join Pablo as he explores the impact of the Dunning-Kruger Effect on his journey as a designer and entrepreneur. Discover how initial ingenuity can spark adventurous innovation in the dynamic world of design and AI!
Keywords :
INNOVATION
HUMOUR
20:30 - 21:30
Feel the beat
DJ MOF!YAH
Music Artist
21:30 - 21:45
SEE YOU TOMORROW!
Overview
Detail view
Overview
Detail view
8:00-9:00
CHECK-IN & BREAKFAST
9:00-9:10
INTRO:
Welcome Back! - Sam Horner (Google Play)
9:10-9:30
TALK:
Distilling Culture: Capturing Cultural Essence in Design - Joy Richu (Independent )
9:30-10:00
TALK:
Designing for Earth, on Mars - Alicia Shao (The LEGO Group)
10:00-10:30
TALK:
Leading Design Works: How large, complex, regulated organisations build and scale design - Peter Neufeld (EY)
10:30-11:00
TALK:
Designing for a Global Community - Niche Chathong (Musixmatch)
11:00-11:30
COFFEE BREAK
11:30-13:00
Choose Your Nerd Track
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
11:30-11:50
TALK 1:
Design For Impact - Erin Weigel (Independent)
11:50-12:10
TALK 2:
The art of asynchronous design: Mastering communication at Automattic - Cris Busquets (Automattic)
12:10-12:30
TALK 3:
A guide for the the Maximalist designer in the AI era - Mariana Pedroza (Lummi)
12:30-13:00
TALK 4:
Behold! The Power of Mascots - Ryo Sampei (Spectrum Tokyo)
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
11:30-13:00
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP :
Sharing Knowledge through Storytelling -
Ellen Berglund & Haya Termanini (Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects | Building Diversity)
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP :
The Second Life of Forgotten Ideas -
Adilice Sanches & Annie Lange (Pleo | Cognism)
ONLINE WORKSHOP :
Language Matters: The Value of Words in Design -
Joshua Wilwohl (American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP))
13:00-14:00
LUNCH BREAK
14:00-15:30
Choose Your Nerd Track
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
14:00-14:20
TALK 1:
Accessibility meets AI - Aske Stampe (Be My Eyes)
14:20-14:40
TALK 2:
Life experiences are the fuel for creating truly meaningful and impactful art - Aurélia Durand (Independent)
14:40-15:00
TALK 3:
Buckle Up, Designer!: How to Design for New Frontiers - Basak Haznedaroglu (Blockstream)
15:00-15:20
TALK 4:
Eyes on the Road: Designing Safe Automotive Interfaces - Casper Kessels (Snapp Automotive)
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
14:00-15:30
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP :
From Pixel Pushing to Impact: How to be a catalyst for change as a Designer -
Nadiim Nafei (TrackMan)
IN-PERSON SESSION:
Collective Brain-Power: Bring a challenge, leave with ideas -
Anamaria Dorgo (Handle With Brain)
ONLINE WORKSHOP:
Systemic design lab: a hands-on mapping of the unseen -
Jules Newland, Julieta Groshaus & Danae Gómez Lois (La Diseñería | Flexxi Design | Vandals)
15:30-16:00
COFFEE BREAK
16:00-16:30
TALK:
Building a Culture of Craft - Alastair Simpson (Dropbox)
16:30-17:00
TALK:
The Long View - Vicki Tan (Pinterest)
17:00-17:30
TALK:
Round Table Discussion: the results - Tey Bannerman (McKinsey & Company)
17:30-18:30
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
8:00 - 9:00
CHECK-IN & BREAKFAST
9:00 - 9:10
Sam Horner
Google Play
9:10 - 9:30
Distilling Culture: Capturing Cultural Essence in Design
Joy Richu
Independent
Read more +
Distilling Culture: Capturing Cultural Essence in Design
In today’s interconnected world, authentic cultural representation in design is more essential than ever. Joy Richu, an award-winning illustrator and designer, explores how African storytelling and keen observation enable designers to capture the essence of any culture. Drawing from her experiences in Nairobi, in her talk, Joy will guide attendees through her creative process—from observing daily nuances to integrating meaningful messages that add depth and resonance to their work. She will offer practical strategies for engaging with new cultures and crafting designs that uphold cultural integrity. This session is ideal for designers looking to infuse their projects with authentic cultural narratives and create impactful, meaningful designs.
Keywords :
REPRESENTATION
STORYTELLING
CULTURAL NARRATIVES
9:30 - 10:00
Designing for Earth, on Mars
Alicia Shao
The LEGO Group
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Designing for Earth, on Mars
What can a course about life for Mars teach us about shaping the future of Earth? In this talk, Alicia will explore how the process of designing for an entirely new world can offer valuable lessons for addressing challenges on our own planet. She'll examine how different design approaches are used to envision new possibilities, delve into the relationship between time perception and the future, and explore the political dimensions of design and future. You'll challenge your perceptions and reflect on the broader implications of designing for the future and the significant responsibilities that designers hold in shaping it.
Keywords :
FUTURES
PLANET
10:00 - 10:30
Leading Design Works: How large, complex, regulated organisations build and scale design
Peter Neufeld
EY
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Leading Design Works: How large, complex, regulated organisations build and scale design
Leading design is hard. Leading design in large, complex, regulated organisations like banks, energy companies, government departments and healthcare organisation can be even harder. EY Seren and the Royal College of Art have spent the last 18 months interviewing Chief Design Officers and senior design executives to understand what it takes to make design work in these important public institutions. The session will explore the evolving role of design within regulated industries in driving customer-centricity and the role it needs to play in the future, as design is used to de-risk and accelerate policy and organisation outcomes. This talk will ask four key questions: – What are the conditions required for design to work? – What does it take to create, embed and scale design? – What does it take to make design an essential capability? – What does it take to be a successful design leader today?
Keywords :
DESIGN LEADERSHIP
IMPACT
DESIGN MEASUREMENT
CULTURE
10:30 - 11:00
Designing for a Global Community
Niche Chathong
Musixmatch
Read more +
Designing for a Global Community
Join Niche as she explores the benefits of designing in diverse cultural contexts. She’ll dive into the evolution of the design industry and discuss how designers can stay competitive by embracing continuous learning. Her journey has been transformative in helping her design the consumer product in Musixmatch.com and Musixmatch Academy – an initiative that empowers users to contribute high-quality lyrics for a global user interface. She’ll share insights on the advantages of multilingualism in design and how it leads to more empathetic and engaging user experiences.
Keywords :
DIVERSITY
DESIGN EVOLUTION
11:00 - 11:30
COFFEE BREAK
11:30 - 13:00
Choose Your Nerd Track
LISTEN TO TALKS OR PARTICIPATE IN A WORKSHOP
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
11:30 - 11:50
Design For Impact
Erin Weigel
Independent
Read more +
Design For Impact
Experimentation can be intimidating to non-data science folk. But Erin wants to get everyone excited about A/B testing. In this talk, Erin shares the Conversion Design process. It centers A/B testing as a way to gather high-quality evidence to make highly informed decisions to improve your digital product design. She also introduces the Good Experimental Design toolkit. These easy-to-follow templates usher teams through the logic needed to design trustworthy experiments that you can learn from so you can make things better—not just different.
Keywords:
A/B TESTING
DESIGNER TIPS
11:50 - 12:10
The art of asynchronous design: Mastering communication at Automattic
Cris Busquets
Automattic
Read more +
The art of asynchronous design: Mastering communication at Automattic
Learn how Automattic’s design team effectively communicates and collaborates asynchronously using tools like video, detailed writing, and collaboration platforms. Join Cris as she’ll share the tools and methods Automatic uses – like video walkthroughs and writing. Whether you’re remote or in-house, you’ll leave with practical tips for presenting design concepts, gathering feedback, and improving your communication and collaboration skills. Perfect for designers looking to enhance their communication and collaboration skills across any environment.
Keywords:
ASYNCHRONOUS WORK
COLLABORATION
METHODS
12:10 - 12:30
A guide for the the Maximalist designer in the AI era
Mariana Pedroza
Lummi
Read more +
A guide for the the Maximalist designer in the AI era
Mexican designer Mariana Pedroza is about to take you on a wild ride in “The Maximalist Guide for a Designer in the AI Era.” We’re talking mole (yes, the food), crazy bold colors, and sensory overloads. Mariana’s here to show you how to use AI to go big and loud with your designs—and make ’em unforgettable. It’s all about standing out in this fast-moving world, with a dash of culture and a whole lot of creativity.
Keywords:
DESIGN TIPS
TRENDS
12:30 - 13:00
Behold! The Power of Mascots
Ryo Sampei
Spectrum Tokyo
Read more +
Behold! The Power of Mascots
Ryo has always been obsessed with mascot characters. It’s like almost whatever he makes needed eyes, hands, and a feet. As a Japanese designer and a otaku (nerd), mascots and characters were always there, and it was natural for him to make good use of it when it came to designing for services and brands. In his talk, he will share his experience in designing mascots for his past projects, and how to make good use of mascots for digital service and brands. He will deep dive into his roots in the Japanese culture, the different processes in the making, and also define what makes a good mascot character.
Keywords:
JAPANESE DESIGN
MASCOT DESIGN
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
11:30-13:00
13:00
Sharing Knowledge through Storytelling
Ellen Berglund & Haya Termanini
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects | Building Diversity
Read more +
Sharing Knowledge through Storytelling
Join Ellen and Haya’s workshop to boost your design communication skills and create valuable knowledge-sharing cards. They’ll start with a quick introduction to storytelling basics, where they’ll dive into a hands-on exercise where you’ll refine your story from 10 minutes to one impactful sentence, honing your ability to convey ideas clearly and concisely. In the second segment, you’ll apply your new skills to create personalized knowledge sharing cards, designed to aid in future design presentations, interviews, and pitches, and to share knowledge by highlighting a design principle, best practice, tool, or challenge. These cards will be digitized and shared on a public website and foster a community of designers exchanging insights and best practices. You’ll leave with practical, knowledge-sharing cards and the confidence to tell your design story compellingly.
Keywords:
DESIGN COMMUNICATION
STORYTELLING
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
11:30-13:00
13:00
The Second Life of Forgotten Ideas
Adilice Sanches & Annie Lange
Pleo | Cognism
Read more +
The Second Life of Forgotten Ideas
What is an idea? By definition, it’s a thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action. But, what is the value of an idea? Now, that is harder to define. A value can be subjective, and vary depending upon context, historic period, and the eye of the beholder. For one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Since their inception, intellectual property and patent laws have led to controversy, because the lines between idea & implementation are always blurry. And now, modern technology is challenging the illusion of stability in these topics. But, could that be a good thing? Could society benefit from a patent free world where we continuously repurpose for the common good? In this workshop, we will explore once patented ideas and the concept of ownership as a foundation to look forward with a technological slant.
Keywords:
VALUE OF AN IDEA
PATENT
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
11:30-13:30
13:30
Language Matters: The Value of Words in Design
Joshua Wilwohl
American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP)
Read more +
Language Matters: The Value of Words in Design
The way we use words shapes our perception of the world and the way we think. During this workshop, you’ll explore the relationship between writing and design—with an emphasis on human-centered approaches. Studies show that improving our writing can improve our thinking. With this in mind, you’ll uncover the concept of writing as a design process, discovering the functions, structures, and behaviors that are common between the two subjects. We’ll also discuss AI’s role. While the new technology can generate content fast and simplify tasks, it often lacks the nuances that human language offers, having designs fall short in terms of performance. This is because AI and humans use language differently. The value of design—from brief to final product—relies on unique and engaging language, and that begins with you.
Keywords:
LANGUAGE
HUMAN-CENTERED DESGIN
AI
ONLINE ONLY
Only livestream ticket holders can attend this workshop
13:00 - 14:00
LUNCH BREAK
14:00 - 15:30
Choose Your Nerd Track
LISTEN TO TALKS OR PARTICIPATE IN A WORKSHOP
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
14:00 - 14:20
Accessibility meets AI
Aske Stampe
Be My Eyes
Read more +
Accessibility meets AI
Today’s designers need a diverse skill set and must quickly adapt to new technologies like AI. One crucial skill is designing accessible solutions, a practice that’s essential even when rapid execution is required. Aske will reveal how Be My Eyes, an app for people who are blind or have low vision, secretly collaborated with OpenAI to test the first version of Chat GPT-4V and successfully launched an accessible chat experience. He will also discuss how Be My Eyes taught the AI to be accessible and meet real user needs. Aske will share his insights on why accessibility is a fundamental responsibility for designers and how it can help you stand out in a commoditised landscape.
Keywords:
AI
ACCESSIBILITY
TECHNOLOGY
14:20 - 14:40
Life experiences are the fuel for creating truly meaningful and impactful art
Aurélia Durand
Independent
Read more +
Life experiences are the fuel for creating truly meaningful and impactful art
Aurélia will use the power of colors to spread messages of peace and inclusivity in her talk. Her art in fact portrays a united and diverse community where every individual’s fate is intertwined. These vibrant personalities represent the unified voice of a global community whose dreams, hopes, and desires envision an inclusive future for all. During her talk, Aurélia will share how her life experiences have influenced her art, which aims to connect with people’s similarities and empower underrepresented communities. Her art gives voice to those in a world that doesn’t always represent them in their realities.
Keywords:
ILLUSTRATION
CREATIVITY
DIVERSITY
INCLUSION
14:40 - 15:00
Buckle Up, Designer!: How to Design for New Frontiers
Basak Haznedaroglu
Blockstream
Read more +
Buckle Up, Designer!: How to Design for New Frontiers
New technologies such as Blockchain are gaining more popularity. In the midst of that sea change, we need to acknowledge the significance of incorporating human-centric values, strong design culture, and creative process into these highly complex new technologies. Basak will dig deeper into how to make an impact in times of technological revolution, how to think beyond just product design, and reshape our roles at the intersection of trust, security, and transparency.
Keywords:
DESIGN TIPS
NAVIGATING CHANGE
15:00 - 15:20
Eyes on the Road: Designing Safe Automotive Interfaces
Casper Kessels
Snapp Automotive
Read more +
Eyes on the Road: Designing Safe Automotive Interfaces
What happens when you try to get people to interact with your product as little as possible? In his talk, Casper will discuss the challenges of creating in-car interfaces that prioritize safety while ensuring seamless user interaction. He will dive into the psychology behind driver distraction and the ways to design around it, sharing his insights on how to apply these concepts to products across other industries.
Keywords:
SAFETY
PSYCHOLOGY
UX
PRODUCT DESIGN
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
14:00-15:30
15:30
From Pixel Pushing to Impact: How to be a catalyst for change as a Designer
Nadiim Nafei
TrackMan
Read more +
From Pixel Pushing to Impact: How to be a catalyst for change as a Designer
In this workshop you’ll explore methodologies to break free from the mold of “make pretty” to influence product strategy by harnessing your user-centered sense-making skills as a designer. You'll acquire the mindset and tools to communicate the value of your ideas and your work to transform them into measurable value and impact, and elevate your role in decision-making. Together with Nadiim, you’ll learn to reshape the narrative and empower design to drive meaningful change.
Keywords:
DESIGN IMPACT
ROLE OF A DESIGNER
DESIGN COMMUNICATION
DESIGNER TIPS
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
14:00-15:30
15:30
Collective Brain-Power: Bring a challenge, leave with ideas
Anamaria Dorgo
Handle With Brain
Read more +
Collective Brain-Power: Bring a challenge, leave with ideas
Have you ever attended a conference where participants were as smart and interesting as those stepping onto the stage? Design Matters attracts a fantastic crowd each year, and this time, we’re giving you a space to connect and learn from each other. In this highly interactive session, you will work in small groups to crowdsource ideas and insights for a professional challenge you are currently facing. It’s like a networking session on steroids, minus the cringe.
Keywords:
COACHING
SELF DISCOVERY
PERSONAL BRANDING
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
14:00-15:30
15:30
Systemic design lab: a hands-on mapping of the unseen
Jules Newland, Julieta Groshaus & Danae Gómez Lois
La Diseñería | Flexxi Design | Vandals
Read more +
Systemic design lab: a hands-on mapping of the unseen
Systemic thinking is the key to transforming design into a strategic decision-making force. Dive into it with this hands-on workshop, where you’ll map the ecosystem of a digital product. In this session, you’ll explore how every design choice impacts an entire system, beyond just individual elements. Using a playful approach, you’ll learn to identify connections between stakeholders and elements to understand the broader relationships at play. This immersive, learning-by-doing experience focuses on the process of system mapping, understanding the big picture is constructed and equipping you with the mindset to approach design from a more holistic perspective. You’ll have a clearer understanding of how our design choices create ripple effects throughout an ecosystem, which will enable you to create more meaningful and long-lasting impact through your design decisions. Get ready to empower your designers’ perspective with this workshop!
Keywords:
SYSTEMIC THINKING
SYSTEM MAPPING
ONLINE ONLY
Only livestream ticket holders can attend this workshop
15:30 - 16:00
COFFEE BREAK
16:00 - 16:30
Building a Culture of Craft
Alastair Simpson
Dropbox
Read more +
Building a Culture of Craft
In this talk, Alastair will share the cultural transformation within his team over the past year. He’ll discuss how a movement focused on elevating craft and quality has reshaped their approach to design. Alastair will share the highs and lows of the journey, highlighting the creative solutions that propelled them forward. Through practical insights and real-life examples, you’ll see how the team’s dedication to craft has made a tangible difference in Dropbox’s products.
Keywords :
CRAFT
CREATIVITY
TEAMWORK
DIVERSITY
INCLUSION
16:30 - 17:00
The Long View
Vicki Tan
Read more +
The Long View
A metaphysical design framework to help us design better possible past, present, and futures that create the human experience we want, for all time. Vicki applies this perspective to examples from her work at Spotify and Headspace to illustrate how it can lead to more intentional, balanced product decisions. Embracing the expansive “long view” can ultimately help designers create technology that aligns with our desired human experience.
Keywords :
DESIGN LONGEVITY
17:00 - 17:30
Round Table Discussion: the results
Tey Bannerman
McKinsey & Company
Read more +
Round Table Discussion: the results
Tey will present the results of the open round table discussion, where a group of designers, each one representing a past edition of Design Matters, gathered to reflect on the conference theme “What makes a designer a designer?”. Each designer explored what they have learnt over the past few years in relation to the theme, including suggestions and recommendations for other and future designers. Tey will also present lessons learned from successful projects and less successful projects.
Keywords :
FUTURE
DESIGN TIPS
17:30 - 18:30
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
Goodbye drinks
Overview
Detail view
Warm-up Day
Oct 23
Oct 23
Conf Day 1
Oct 24
Oct 24
Conf Day 2
Oct 25
Oct 25
Warm-up Day
Oct 23
Oct 23
Conf Day 1
Oct 24
Oct 24
Conf Day 2
Oct 25
Oct 25
Overview
Detail view
9:00-9:30
Check-in & Coffee
12:30-13:30
Lunch Break
16:30-18:30
Mingling
18:30-21:30
Evening Meetup
18:30-19:15
NETWORKING:
Networking Session - Anamaria Dorgo (Handle With Brain)
19:15-21:00
NETWORKING:
Meetup & Nerd Pub Quiz - Meetup & Pub Quiz (With Luke Murphy (zeroheight))
21:00-
See you tomorrow!
Warm up the engines and get your fill of energy through a series of activities designed to set your creativity free, think about the future, and make new friends before the conference!
9:00 - 9:30
Check-in & Coffee
9:30 - 12:30
Stop Motion Workshop
dina Amin
Tinker Studio
Read more +
Stop Motion Workshop
Use scrap bits and pieces from old electronics and transform them into a scrappy little creature that magically comes to life using Stop Motion Animation. In this workshop you’ll learn how to make a magical stop motion loop with just your phone!
Keywords:
STOP-MOTION ANIMATION
9:30 - 12:30
Planetary Dreaming: Designing the Future
Royal Danish Academy
Ida Engholm, Brian Frandsen, Christina Reedtz Funder, Else-Marie Bierlich, Henriette Melchiorsen, Sebastian Elers La Cour
Read more +
Planetary Dreaming: Designing the Future
The workshop combines approaches from design thinking with perspectives from indigenous thinking and focuses on how we can develop new approaches for working with uncertainty and hosting more meaningful and courageous conversations about our common future, about planetary and interplanetary well-being. The questions explored in the workshop are: What constitutes wisdom for the future? How might wisdom involve balancing learning from the past while being open to the future? How is wisdom linked to imagination, action, and decision-making? What is the role of design and designers?
Keywords:
DESIGN THINKING
SUSTAINABILITY
FUTURE
9:30 - 12:30
Tech for All: Innovating with Diversity in Mind
Nikhita Ghugari & Swar Raisinghani
Xeno Co-lab
Read more +
Tech for All: Innovating with Diversity in Mind
In today’s world, many businesses and designers mistakenly assume that digital behaviors are uniform across consumer profiles, overlooking the rich diversity that exists even in digital spaces. This workshop emphasizes the importance of understanding diverse consumer perspectives to create tech solutions that are inclusive and help bridge the digital divide. Swar and Nikhita will share their experiences working with diverse Indian consumers, offering insights into how they perceive and interpret digital privacy—revealing key differences from European perspectives. The session highlights why businesses must consider these varied digital behaviors while innovating, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. Join them for this interactive workshop where you’ll explore how diverse digital behaviors shape privacy interpretations and how to incorporate them when developing new tech solutions.
Keywords:
INNOVATION
DEI
DIGITAL PRVACY
USER BEHAVIOR
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch Break
13:30 - 16:30
Beyond human-centered design – a manifesto
Mark Guarraia, Henrik Lübker & Lotte Nystrup Lund
Novo Nordisk | Design Denmark | Futurista
Read more +
Shape the future of design through collaborative creativity. Led by industry experts and facilitators Lotte Nystrup Lund, Mark Guarraia and Henrik Lübker, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of 10 guiding principles.
Keywords:
FUTURE OF MORE-THAN-HUMAN BASED DESIGN
CREATIVITY
13:30 - 15:00
What will happen in the future of design?
Open Roundtable
Read more +
What will happen in the future of design?
The Open Roundtable is a precious opportunity for dialogue and discussion around the future of design; what will design look like in the future? What trends are going to take over and what trends are going to die? What skills do designers need to have? The Open Roundtable is made of the historic speakers of the previous editions of Design Matters – one speaker per edition. You can choose whether to be part of the discussion together with the speaker or simply to listen to the conversation.
Keywords:
FUTURE OF DESIGN
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
15:00 - 17:00
Live Podcast
Live Podcast on Sustainability
Design Tracks
Read more +
Live Podcast
Listen to Sam and Layshi as they record the second season of Design Tracks with new guests!This season will focus on sustainability and futures.
16:30 - 18:30
Mingling
Food and Drinks will be served from 17:00 on
18:30 - 21:30
Evening Meetup
Open to Full Experience and Conference Experience ticket holders.
See the schedule below
18:30 - 19:15
Networking Session
Anamaria Dorgo
Handle With Brain
Read more +
Networking Session
Make new friends and expand your international network! Anamaria will help you connect with new people in a series of interactive and fun activities.
19:15 - 21:00
Meetup & Nerd Pub Quiz
Meetup & Pub Quiz
With Luke Murphy (zeroheight)
Read more +
Meetup & Nerd Pub Quiz
Prepare yourself for a great opportunity to network and get into the conference mood! Meet the people and speakers who will attend the conference and have a drink…or two! As partners of Design Matters, zeroheight are also hosting a Nerd Pub Quiz to end all pub quizzes. Expect everything from design to video games to music to anime. No topic is safe from their fiendishly pedantic host, Luke Murphy.
21:00 -
See you tomorrow!
Overview
Detail view
Overview
Detail view
8:00-9:00
CHECK-IN & BREAKFAST
9:00-9:15
WELCOME:
Welcome to Design Matters 24 - Sam Horner (Google Play)
9:15-9:30
INTRO:
Introduction to the Conference Themes - Sophie Tahran (The New Yorker (Condé Nast))
9:30-10:00
TALK:
The Hitchhiker's Guide to Design - Batsirai Madzonga
10:00-10:30
TALK:
Latent Ecologies: Guiding Climate Decisions Through Design - Rachel Poonsiriwong (Terrascope)
10:30-11:00
TALK:
Building an AI-driven UX research repository - Ben Shih (Lokalise)
11:00-11:30
COFFEE BREAK
11:30-13:00
Choose your Nerd Track
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
11:30-11:50
TALK 1:
Eat, Save, Love: Engaging Heroes in the Fight Against Food Waste - Christina Collura (Too Good To Go)
11:50-12:15
TALK 2:
Making by Breaking - dina Amin (Tinker Studio)
12:15-12:35
TALK 3:
99 Lessons for Doing Creative Work - Stijn Zoontjens (ex Doist, ex Google Maps)
12:35-13:00
TALK 4:
How to detect climate bs - Laura Krarup Frandsen (Independent)
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
11:30 -13:00
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP :
The Futures Healthcare Fair: The artifacts of the futures -
Laerdal Medical (Laerdal Medical )
ONLINE WORKSHOP :
With Dilemmas From the Future -
Minami Hirayama (independent)
13:00-14:00
LUNCH BREAK
14:00-15:30
Choose your Nerd Track
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
14:00-14:25
TALK 1:
Crafted Art Projects: Exploring the Purpose of Artistic Expression - Anton Sokolov (1/2 8 | JetBrains)
14:25-14:45
TALK 2:
Chasing AI - Simone Attanasio (Canva (Ecosystem))
14:45-15:10
TALK 3:
From Human Design to Planet Design - Ida Engholm (The Royal Danish Academy)
15:00-15:30
TALK 4:
Crafting Clarity: the power of visual storytelling - Paula Madrid (BIG)
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
14:00-15:30
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP :
What makes a designer in the future -
Morten Lindhardt Madsen & Rasmus Sanko (Charlie Tango)
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP :
Designing for Your Future Self -
Reginé Gilbert (New York University Tandon School of Engineering)
ONLINE WORKSHOP :
AI Can't Do It Alone: The Need for Human Designers -
Lilibeth Bustos Linares (Souldoodles)
15:30-16:00
COFFEE BREAK
16:00-16:30
TALK:
Typography in Design Systems - Bianca Berning (Spotify)
16:30-17:00
TALK:
Social Sustainability in Tech - Nikhita Ghugari & Swar Raisinghani (Xeno Co-lab)
17:00-17:30
TALK:
Design Didn't Save the World: Now What? - Chappell Ellison (Launch by NTT Data)
17:30-19:00
FOOD & DRINKS
19:00-19:30
NIGHT TALK:
Fail Better - Luke Murphy (zeroheight)
19:30-20:00
NIGHT TALK:
Finding humor in the mundane - Edith Pritchett (Cartoonist)
20:00-20:30
NIGHT TALK:
The Dunning-Kruger Effect in Design - Pablo Stanley (Musho & Lummi)
20:30-21:30
LIVE MUSIC:
Feel the beat - DJ MOF!YAH (Music Artist)
21:30-21:45
SEE YOU TOMORROW!
8:00 - 9:00
CHECK-IN & BREAKFAST
9:00 - 9:15
Welcome to Design Matters 24
Sam Horner
Google Play
9:15 - 9:30
Introduction to the Conference Themes
Sophie Tahran
The New Yorker (Condé Nast)
Read more +
Introduction to the Conference Themes
Sophie will present the themes of Design Matters 24 and give an intro talk opening the event. As representative of the Committee that contributed to decide the themes of the conference, she will offer her take on the hottest topics in design of 2024.
Keywords :
THEMES
DESIGN TRENDS
9:30 - 10:00
The Hitchhiker's Guide to Design
Batsirai Madzonga
Read more +
The Hitchhiker's Guide to Design
Batsi’s talk will focus on the concept of creativity, highlighting how the creative arts have endured and reinvented themselves over centuries of innovation. He will explore how designers can reinvent themselves in the current landscape of adversity and change, not only to remain relevant but to flourish.
Keywords :
CREATIVITY
INNOVATION
ADAPTING TO CHANGE
10:00 - 10:30
Latent Ecologies: Guiding Climate Decisions Through Design
Rachel Poonsiriwong
Terrascope
Read more +
Latent Ecologies: Guiding Climate Decisions Through Design
As consumers, our choices often shape more than we realize—but making sustainable decisions can feel out of reach without the right information. This talk delves into the role of design in making these hidden systems visible, empowering more informed decisions in our day-to-day lives. Rachel will share insights from her work in climate tech, focusing on how product and corporate carbon footprinting tools help enterprises in the food and agricultural sectors. These tools identify decarbonization opportunities throughout a product’s life cycle, including the influence of consumer behavior. By exposing high-emission factors, design holds the power to reshape our decision-making, guiding more eco-conscious choices at scale.
Keywords :
CLIMATE TECH
SUSTAINABILITY
10:30 - 11:00
Building an AI-driven UX research repository
Ben Shih
Lokalise
Read more +
Building an AI-driven UX research repository
Building a knowledge base that effectively stores and organizes user insights is a dream for many UX teams. However, it’s challenging, especially for companies with limited resources. In this talk, I will share how we at Lokalise leverage AI to automatically analyze user interviews, tag insights, and establish a fully automated UX research repository. This allows all UX stakeholders to easily contribute to and access user insights within minutes.
Keywords :
AI
UX
11:00 - 11:30
COFFEE BREAK
11:30 - 13:00
Choose your Nerd Track
Listen to talks or participate in a workshop
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
11:30 - 11:50
Eat, Save, Love: Engaging Heroes in the Fight Against Food Waste
Christina Collura
Too Good To Go
Read more +
Eat, Save, Love: Engaging Heroes in the Fight Against Food Waste
In this talk, you'll explore with Christina the way Too Good To Go engages consumers, focusing on how they empower their “heroes” to make a difference. You'll learn how thoughtful engagement design can help consumers overcome the feeling of powerlessness and foster a sense of agency in the fight against climate change.
Keywords:
DESIGNER TIPS
TRENDS
11:50 - 12:15
Making by Breaking
dina Amin
Tinker Studio
Read more +
Making by Breaking
In this talk dina will share how tinkering and taking things apart was the beginning of her career as a stop motion artist and a maker. She will share how it all started, what she has learnt so far and the biggest mistakes she has made.
Keywords:
STOP-MOTION ART
CREATIVITY
12:15 - 12:35
99 Lessons for Doing Creative Work
Stijn Zoontjens
ex Doist, ex Google Maps
Read more +
99 Lessons for Doing Creative Work
In this talk, Stijn distills his top insights on fostering creativity in professional and personal projects. Drawing from his experiences at Google Maps, Doist, and as a music producer, he’ll share practical lessons on balancing structure with spontaneity, overcoming creative blocks, and maintaining consistency. He explores how these principles shape his daily work, whether managing complex tech projects or composing music. Through real-world examples, Stijn will highlight how creativity thrives through discipline, collaboration, and playfulness, offering valuable takeaways for anyone seeking to boost their creative output.
Keywords:
CREATIVITY
12:35 - 13:00
How to detect climate bs
Laura Krarup Frandsen
Independent
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How to detect climate bs
In this talk, fashion designer and climate activist Laura will take you on a journey where you’ll learn how to detect bs when it comes to sustainability in design; you’ll learn how to figure out when it’s green washing instead of actual sustainable design practices. You’ll leave knowing how to navigate the sustainability space, with new or better-defined vocabulary to create real change for the future of design.
Keywords:
SUSTAINABILITY
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
11:30-13:00
13:00
The Futures Healthcare Fair: The artifacts of the futures
Troels Villumsen, Andrea Østmo da Costa, Veronica Bluguermann & My Enetjärn
Laerdal Medical
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The Futures Healthcare Fair: The artifacts of the futures
What signals of change do you see for the future? Are you optimistic, pessimistic, or neither- why? Join for a creative and hands-on session and become both inventor and merchant of the artefacts of the futures of healthcare. You will become familiar with the Futures Bazaar methodology as a Forecasting and Ideation tool, where everyday items are transformed into futuristic objects that aim to provoke thought, amuse, and inspire. Just as you might travel to different places to have new experiences and see how others live, creating a Futures Fair is a way to explore each other’s imaginations. This collective effort is the first step to co-create alternative future scenarios. You’ll explore the potential impacts of these futures on healthcare, identifying innovative opportunities and challenges they present. Come and experience this activity of futures thinking, and explore the futures of healthcare! Special Requirements: • Access to ChatGPT from your mobile device or laptop. • One object you don’t need anymore. It should be something that does not take up much space in your backpack or purse. Be mindful that this object will be hacked or destroyed during the workshop.
Keywords:
FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE
CREATIVITY
CRAFTING
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
11:30-13:00
13:00
With Dilemmas From the Future
Minami Hirayama
independent
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With Dilemmas From the Future
Join Minami’s online workshop based on her book “With Dilemmas From the Future – What can graphic designers do in the era of climate crisis?”. In the first half of the workshop, you will hear her talk about the relationship between graphic design and hyper-consumerism and her personal story of becoming a designer while concerned about climate change. In the second half, Minami will share inspirational insights from the interviews she conducted in the book. You will take part in interactive activities and exercises to think about good practices and what graphic designers can do. The exercises will be mostly individual work, but you will be able to share thoughts and results with the rest of the group.
Keywords:
GRAPHIC DESIGN
CLIMATE CRISIS
HYPERCONSUMERISM
ACTIVISM
ONLINE ONLY
Only livestream ticket holders can attend this workshop
13:00 - 14:00
LUNCH BREAK
14:00 - 15:30
Choose your Nerd Track
Listen to talks or participate in a workshop
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
14:00 - 14:25
Crafted Art Projects: Exploring the Purpose of Artistic Expression
Anton Sokolov
1/2 8 | JetBrains
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Crafted Art Projects: Exploring the Purpose of Artistic Expression
In today’s ever-changing world, AI brings both opportunities and challenges for visual artists. In this talk, Anton will delve into the heart of our craft. Through his own art project, halfof8.com, he’ll share how creativity drives him and how it can impact us all. You’ll start by understanding the essence of his project and then peek behind the scenes to see how it’s made. Anton will also discuss how this project has personally influenced him, without making grand claims. His goal isn’t just to share his journey, but also to spark that same creative spark in each of you.
Keywords:
AI
CREATIVITY
VISUAL DESIGN
14:25 - 14:45
Chasing AI
Simone Attanasio
Canva (Ecosystem)
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Chasing AI
In this rapidly evolving AI era, the pursuit of innovation often leads to a frantic chase for the latest trends. Yet, many find themselves without a clear strategy or the necessary tools to truly understand and play the AI game. Drawing from his 20-year journey in the industry, Simone will reflect on the evolution of design trends and share practical insights on how to navigate the complexities of the AI landscape while staying true to your core values as a designer.
Keywords:
AI
DESIGN EVOLUTION
14:45 - 15:10
From Human Design to Planet Design
Ida Engholm
The Royal Danish Academy
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From Human Design to Planet Design
In her talk, Professor Ida Engholm will argue that instead of focusing on how design can serve humanity, we should critically question what fundamental values and world views our design is based on. So far, our design has been centred on human users and our needs, but today, the scale of the environmental crisis compels us to put the planet first. Learn how to go from human-centred to planet-centred design.
Keywords:
PLANET-CENTRED DESIGN
SUSTAINABILITY
15:00 - 15:30
Crafting Clarity: the power of visual storytelling
Paula Madrid
BIG
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Crafting Clarity: the power of visual storytelling
In this talk, Paula will tell about her journey from architecture to graphic design, explaining how she discovered the power of conveying complex ideas without words. Through examples, she’ll illustrate the role of storytelling in architecture and share insights on simplifying intricate concepts into digestible diagrams. Finally, she’ll share her experience designing a user-friendly language for an architectural guide to space.
Keywords:
STORYTELLING
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN COMMUNICATION
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
14:00-15:30
15:30
What makes a designer in the future
Morten Lindhardt Madsen & Rasmus Sanko
Charlie Tango
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What makes a designer in the future
This speculative design workshop invites participants to explore how emerging trends might redefine the future of design. Working in groups, participants will delve into the potential impact of current developments—ranging from AI, space exploration to Climate changes and the worlds aging population— and investigate how these evolving forces might transform what it means to be a designer and the skills, roles, responsibilities and identities of future designers. Whether you’re a designer or simply curious about the future, come collaborate, imagine, and rethink the role of designers and their contribution to society in the years to come.
Keywords:
SPECULATIVE DESIGN
AI
CLIMATE CHANGE
FUTURE
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
14:00-15:30
15:30
Designing for Your Future Self
Reginé Gilbert
New York University Tandon School of Engineering
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Designing for Your Future Self
This hands-on workshop helps participants imagine their future selves and design for inclusivity and accessibility in that context. By the end, participants will have created a persona for their future self, explored accessibility needs, and collaborated on ways to create a more inclusive future through design.
Keywords:
AI
HUMAN CREATIVITY
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
14:00-15:30
15:30
AI Can't Do It Alone: The Need for Human Designers
Lilibeth Bustos Linares
Souldoodles
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AI Can't Do It Alone: The Need for Human Designers
In today's rapidly evolving world, AI is reshaping industries and transforming the way we live and work. From automating routine tasks to generating creative content, AI's capabilities are expanding at an unprecedented pace. However, as AI becomes more sophisticated, it's crucial to remember that it's not a replacement for human ingenuity and creativity. In fact, the rise of AI makes it even more important for designers to focus on their unique strengths: soft skills. In this workshop, you will: • Explore the key soft skills that every designer needs. • Learn practical design thinking techniques. • Practice empathy-driven design methodologies. • Develop a growth mindset for continuous learning and adaptation.
Keywords:
SOFT SKILLS
DESIGN THINKING
ADAPTATION
ONLINE ONLY
Only livestream ticket holders can attend this workshop
15:30 - 16:00
COFFEE BREAK
16:00 - 16:30
Typography in Design Systems
Bianca Berning
Spotify
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Typography in Design Systems
Typography is at the heart of a cohesive user experience, especially when designing for a global audience. Join Bianca as she delves into how Encore – Spotify’s Design system – leverages variable fonts for performance, while ensuring Spotify’s typography is expressive, accessible, and culturally relevant across 74 languages and 192 markets.
Keywords :
TYPOGRAPHY
ACCESSIBILITY
16:30 - 17:00
Social Sustainability in Tech
Nikhita Ghugari & Swar Raisinghani
Xeno Co-lab
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Social Sustainability in Tech
It’s safe to say that the challenges presented by emerging technologies are forcing everyone to reimagine the way we work across all industries. The rallying call for a more ethical practice to build innovative tech solutions requires a systemic approach that radically changes the way tech companies work – across people, product and process, and align it to business KPIs. Through their talk, Swar & Nikhita will summarise the challenges that we face as humanity and the unintended consequences of emerging tech on consumers and society. They will share a framework around Social Sustainability in Tech (SST) & a toolkit to practice it that they have recently released in an open source report. The framework lays out 3 key principles for designers and industry leaders to align the practices of companies in a way that can result in a more socially & ethically responsible practice for tech. They will encourage everyone to take the first step in thinking intentionally about the ethical use of our skill sets and technology and how we can make the space safer for the consumers.
Keywords :
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
SOCIAL & ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY
TECHNOLOGICAL IMPACT
17:00 - 17:30
Design Didn't Save the World: Now What?
Chappell Ellison
Launch by NTT Data
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Design Didn't Save the World: Now What?
Flashback to 2008: Steve Jobs had just debuted the iPhone. A U.S. presidential candidate won the election by running on the word, “Hope.” Online media reached a new zenith of investment and promised platforms to new, inspiring voices. It was this optimism that filled the air as design was given its chance to influence culture like never before. Designers filled TED talks and main stages and brought forward a rallying cry: “Design will save the world.” The phrase was, for many years inescapable, as design asserted itself to buy a seat at the table. Nearly twenty-five years have passed, and design didn’t live up to its TED Talk promises. This talk is an examination and indictment of how our optimism, naivete, and hubris on main stages defined the last 25 years of design. What lessons can we pass on to the next generation of designers to empower them to shape the next decade for the better? And can design truly save the world?
Keywords :
HISTORY OF DESIGN
17:30 - 19:00
FOOD & DRINKS
19:00 - 19:30
Fail Better
Luke Murphy
zeroheight
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Fail Better
Luke’s life is a masterclass in failure, spanning tech startups, art projects, theatre companies, and even marriages. If there’s a way to fail, Luke has found it, tried it, and probably failed at it. Join Luke for a session where they will attempt to put a positive spin on their greatest flops. You might not leave inspired to embrace failure, but you’ll definitely enjoy a little schadenfreude. After all, nothing says “light evening entertainment” like someone else’s relentless string of screw-ups.
Keywords :
EMBRACING FAILURE
HUMOUR
19:30 - 20:00
Finding humor in the mundane
Edith Pritchett
Cartoonist
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Finding humor in the mundane
Edith will talk about making autobiographical work and finding humor in the mundane. Also how being honest about the more embarrassing parts of your life can often generate responses that make you realize we’re all more similar than we think. The talk will cover many of her internal conflicts that she’s shamelessly mined to generate content. Struggles such as: ‘I hate that fleece my partner wears,’ ‘will my feet scare the pedicurist?’ and ‘I got tricked on instagram into spending £50 on shampoo’ and many more of life’s big topics.
Keywords :
CARTOON
HUMOUR
20:00 - 20:30
The Dunning-Kruger Effect in Design
Pablo Stanley
Musho & Lummi
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The Dunning-Kruger Effect in Design
Join Pablo as he explores the impact of the Dunning-Kruger Effect on his journey as a designer and entrepreneur. Discover how initial ingenuity can spark adventurous innovation in the dynamic world of design and AI!
Keywords :
INNOVATION
HUMOUR
20:30 - 21:30
Feel the beat
DJ MOF!YAH
Music Artist
21:30 - 21:45
SEE YOU TOMORROW!
Overview
Detail view
Overview
Detail view
8:00-9:00
CHECK-IN & BREAKFAST
9:00-9:10
INTRO:
Welcome Back! - Sam Horner (Google Play)
9:10-9:30
TALK:
Distilling Culture: Capturing Cultural Essence in Design - Joy Richu (Independent )
9:30-10:00
TALK:
Designing for Earth, on Mars - Alicia Shao (The LEGO Group)
10:00-10:30
TALK:
Leading Design Works: How large, complex, regulated organisations build and scale design - Peter Neufeld (EY)
10:30-11:00
TALK:
Designing for a Global Community - Niche Chathong (Musixmatch)
11:00-11:30
COFFEE BREAK
11:30-13:00
Choose Your Nerd Track
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
11:30-11:50
TALK 1:
Design For Impact - Erin Weigel (Independent)
11:50-12:10
TALK 2:
The art of asynchronous design: Mastering communication at Automattic - Cris Busquets (Automattic)
12:10-12:30
TALK 3:
A guide for the the Maximalist designer in the AI era - Mariana Pedroza (Lummi)
12:30-13:00
TALK 4:
Behold! The Power of Mascots - Ryo Sampei (Spectrum Tokyo)
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
11:30-13:00
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP :
Sharing Knowledge through Storytelling -
Ellen Berglund & Haya Termanini (Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects | Building Diversity)
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP :
The Second Life of Forgotten Ideas -
Adilice Sanches & Annie Lange (Pleo | Cognism)
ONLINE WORKSHOP :
Language Matters: The Value of Words in Design -
Joshua Wilwohl (American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP))
13:00-14:00
LUNCH BREAK
14:00-15:30
Choose Your Nerd Track
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
14:00-14:20
TALK 1:
Accessibility meets AI - Aske Stampe (Be My Eyes)
14:20-14:40
TALK 2:
Life experiences are the fuel for creating truly meaningful and impactful art - Aurélia Durand (Independent)
14:40-15:00
TALK 3:
Buckle Up, Designer!: How to Design for New Frontiers - Basak Haznedaroglu (Blockstream)
15:00-15:20
TALK 4:
Eyes on the Road: Designing Safe Automotive Interfaces - Casper Kessels (Snapp Automotive)
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
14:00-15:30
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP :
From Pixel Pushing to Impact: How to be a catalyst for change as a Designer -
Nadiim Nafei (TrackMan)
IN-PERSON SESSION:
Collective Brain-Power: Bring a challenge, leave with ideas -
Anamaria Dorgo (Handle With Brain)
ONLINE WORKSHOP:
Systemic design lab: a hands-on mapping of the unseen -
Jules Newland, Julieta Groshaus & Danae Gómez Lois (La Diseñería | Flexxi Design | Vandals)
15:30-16:00
COFFEE BREAK
16:00-16:30
TALK:
Building a Culture of Craft - Alastair Simpson (Dropbox)
16:30-17:00
TALK:
The Long View - Vicki Tan (Pinterest)
17:00-17:30
TALK:
Round Table Discussion: the results - Tey Bannerman (McKinsey & Company)
17:30-18:30
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
8:00 - 9:00
CHECK-IN & BREAKFAST
9:00 - 9:10
Sam Horner
Google Play
9:10 - 9:30
Distilling Culture: Capturing Cultural Essence in Design
Joy Richu
Independent
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Distilling Culture: Capturing Cultural Essence in Design
In today’s interconnected world, authentic cultural representation in design is more essential than ever. Joy Richu, an award-winning illustrator and designer, explores how African storytelling and keen observation enable designers to capture the essence of any culture. Drawing from her experiences in Nairobi, in her talk, Joy will guide attendees through her creative process—from observing daily nuances to integrating meaningful messages that add depth and resonance to their work. She will offer practical strategies for engaging with new cultures and crafting designs that uphold cultural integrity. This session is ideal for designers looking to infuse their projects with authentic cultural narratives and create impactful, meaningful designs.
Keywords :
REPRESENTATION
STORYTELLING
CULTURAL NARRATIVES
9:30 - 10:00
Designing for Earth, on Mars
Alicia Shao
The LEGO Group
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Designing for Earth, on Mars
What can a course about life for Mars teach us about shaping the future of Earth? In this talk, Alicia will explore how the process of designing for an entirely new world can offer valuable lessons for addressing challenges on our own planet. She'll examine how different design approaches are used to envision new possibilities, delve into the relationship between time perception and the future, and explore the political dimensions of design and future. You'll challenge your perceptions and reflect on the broader implications of designing for the future and the significant responsibilities that designers hold in shaping it.
Keywords :
FUTURES
PLANET
10:00 - 10:30
Leading Design Works: How large, complex, regulated organisations build and scale design
Peter Neufeld
EY
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Leading Design Works: How large, complex, regulated organisations build and scale design
Leading design is hard. Leading design in large, complex, regulated organisations like banks, energy companies, government departments and healthcare organisation can be even harder. EY Seren and the Royal College of Art have spent the last 18 months interviewing Chief Design Officers and senior design executives to understand what it takes to make design work in these important public institutions. The session will explore the evolving role of design within regulated industries in driving customer-centricity and the role it needs to play in the future, as design is used to de-risk and accelerate policy and organisation outcomes. This talk will ask four key questions: – What are the conditions required for design to work? – What does it take to create, embed and scale design? – What does it take to make design an essential capability? – What does it take to be a successful design leader today?
Keywords :
DESIGN LEADERSHIP
IMPACT
DESIGN MEASUREMENT
CULTURE
10:30 - 11:00
Designing for a Global Community
Niche Chathong
Musixmatch
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Designing for a Global Community
Join Niche as she explores the benefits of designing in diverse cultural contexts. She’ll dive into the evolution of the design industry and discuss how designers can stay competitive by embracing continuous learning. Her journey has been transformative in helping her design the consumer product in Musixmatch.com and Musixmatch Academy – an initiative that empowers users to contribute high-quality lyrics for a global user interface. She’ll share insights on the advantages of multilingualism in design and how it leads to more empathetic and engaging user experiences.
Keywords :
DIVERSITY
DESIGN EVOLUTION
11:00 - 11:30
COFFEE BREAK
11:30 - 13:00
Choose Your Nerd Track
LISTEN TO TALKS OR PARTICIPATE IN A WORKSHOP
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
11:30 - 11:50
Design For Impact
Erin Weigel
Independent
Read more +
Design For Impact
Experimentation can be intimidating to non-data science folk. But Erin wants to get everyone excited about A/B testing. In this talk, Erin shares the Conversion Design process. It centers A/B testing as a way to gather high-quality evidence to make highly informed decisions to improve your digital product design. She also introduces the Good Experimental Design toolkit. These easy-to-follow templates usher teams through the logic needed to design trustworthy experiments that you can learn from so you can make things better—not just different.
Keywords:
A/B TESTING
DESIGNER TIPS
11:50 - 12:10
The art of asynchronous design: Mastering communication at Automattic
Cris Busquets
Automattic
Read more +
The art of asynchronous design: Mastering communication at Automattic
Learn how Automattic’s design team effectively communicates and collaborates asynchronously using tools like video, detailed writing, and collaboration platforms. Join Cris as she’ll share the tools and methods Automatic uses – like video walkthroughs and writing. Whether you’re remote or in-house, you’ll leave with practical tips for presenting design concepts, gathering feedback, and improving your communication and collaboration skills. Perfect for designers looking to enhance their communication and collaboration skills across any environment.
Keywords:
ASYNCHRONOUS WORK
COLLABORATION
METHODS
12:10 - 12:30
A guide for the the Maximalist designer in the AI era
Mariana Pedroza
Lummi
Read more +
A guide for the the Maximalist designer in the AI era
Mexican designer Mariana Pedroza is about to take you on a wild ride in “The Maximalist Guide for a Designer in the AI Era.” We’re talking mole (yes, the food), crazy bold colors, and sensory overloads. Mariana’s here to show you how to use AI to go big and loud with your designs—and make ’em unforgettable. It’s all about standing out in this fast-moving world, with a dash of culture and a whole lot of creativity.
Keywords:
DESIGN TIPS
TRENDS
12:30 - 13:00
Behold! The Power of Mascots
Ryo Sampei
Spectrum Tokyo
Read more +
Behold! The Power of Mascots
Ryo has always been obsessed with mascot characters. It’s like almost whatever he makes needed eyes, hands, and a feet. As a Japanese designer and a otaku (nerd), mascots and characters were always there, and it was natural for him to make good use of it when it came to designing for services and brands. In his talk, he will share his experience in designing mascots for his past projects, and how to make good use of mascots for digital service and brands. He will deep dive into his roots in the Japanese culture, the different processes in the making, and also define what makes a good mascot character.
Keywords:
JAPANESE DESIGN
MASCOT DESIGN
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
11:30-13:00
13:00
Sharing Knowledge through Storytelling
Ellen Berglund & Haya Termanini
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects | Building Diversity
Read more +
Sharing Knowledge through Storytelling
Join Ellen and Haya’s workshop to boost your design communication skills and create valuable knowledge-sharing cards. They’ll start with a quick introduction to storytelling basics, where they’ll dive into a hands-on exercise where you’ll refine your story from 10 minutes to one impactful sentence, honing your ability to convey ideas clearly and concisely. In the second segment, you’ll apply your new skills to create personalized knowledge sharing cards, designed to aid in future design presentations, interviews, and pitches, and to share knowledge by highlighting a design principle, best practice, tool, or challenge. These cards will be digitized and shared on a public website and foster a community of designers exchanging insights and best practices. You’ll leave with practical, knowledge-sharing cards and the confidence to tell your design story compellingly.
Keywords:
DESIGN COMMUNICATION
STORYTELLING
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
11:30-13:00
13:00
The Second Life of Forgotten Ideas
Adilice Sanches & Annie Lange
Pleo | Cognism
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The Second Life of Forgotten Ideas
What is an idea? By definition, it’s a thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action. But, what is the value of an idea? Now, that is harder to define. A value can be subjective, and vary depending upon context, historic period, and the eye of the beholder. For one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Since their inception, intellectual property and patent laws have led to controversy, because the lines between idea & implementation are always blurry. And now, modern technology is challenging the illusion of stability in these topics. But, could that be a good thing? Could society benefit from a patent free world where we continuously repurpose for the common good? In this workshop, we will explore once patented ideas and the concept of ownership as a foundation to look forward with a technological slant.
Keywords:
VALUE OF AN IDEA
PATENT
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
11:30-13:30
13:30
Language Matters: The Value of Words in Design
Joshua Wilwohl
American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP)
Read more +
Language Matters: The Value of Words in Design
The way we use words shapes our perception of the world and the way we think. During this workshop, you’ll explore the relationship between writing and design—with an emphasis on human-centered approaches. Studies show that improving our writing can improve our thinking. With this in mind, you’ll uncover the concept of writing as a design process, discovering the functions, structures, and behaviors that are common between the two subjects. We’ll also discuss AI’s role. While the new technology can generate content fast and simplify tasks, it often lacks the nuances that human language offers, having designs fall short in terms of performance. This is because AI and humans use language differently. The value of design—from brief to final product—relies on unique and engaging language, and that begins with you.
Keywords:
LANGUAGE
HUMAN-CENTERED DESGIN
AI
ONLINE ONLY
Only livestream ticket holders can attend this workshop
13:00 - 14:00
LUNCH BREAK
14:00 - 15:30
Choose Your Nerd Track
LISTEN TO TALKS OR PARTICIPATE IN A WORKSHOP
TRACK 1
(4X TALKS)
14:00 - 14:20
Accessibility meets AI
Aske Stampe
Be My Eyes
Read more +
Accessibility meets AI
Today’s designers need a diverse skill set and must quickly adapt to new technologies like AI. One crucial skill is designing accessible solutions, a practice that’s essential even when rapid execution is required. Aske will reveal how Be My Eyes, an app for people who are blind or have low vision, secretly collaborated with OpenAI to test the first version of Chat GPT-4V and successfully launched an accessible chat experience. He will also discuss how Be My Eyes taught the AI to be accessible and meet real user needs. Aske will share his insights on why accessibility is a fundamental responsibility for designers and how it can help you stand out in a commoditised landscape.
Keywords:
AI
ACCESSIBILITY
TECHNOLOGY
14:20 - 14:40
Life experiences are the fuel for creating truly meaningful and impactful art
Aurélia Durand
Independent
Read more +
Life experiences are the fuel for creating truly meaningful and impactful art
Aurélia will use the power of colors to spread messages of peace and inclusivity in her talk. Her art in fact portrays a united and diverse community where every individual’s fate is intertwined. These vibrant personalities represent the unified voice of a global community whose dreams, hopes, and desires envision an inclusive future for all. During her talk, Aurélia will share how her life experiences have influenced her art, which aims to connect with people’s similarities and empower underrepresented communities. Her art gives voice to those in a world that doesn’t always represent them in their realities.
Keywords:
ILLUSTRATION
CREATIVITY
DIVERSITY
INCLUSION
14:40 - 15:00
Buckle Up, Designer!: How to Design for New Frontiers
Basak Haznedaroglu
Blockstream
Read more +
Buckle Up, Designer!: How to Design for New Frontiers
New technologies such as Blockchain are gaining more popularity. In the midst of that sea change, we need to acknowledge the significance of incorporating human-centric values, strong design culture, and creative process into these highly complex new technologies. Basak will dig deeper into how to make an impact in times of technological revolution, how to think beyond just product design, and reshape our roles at the intersection of trust, security, and transparency.
Keywords:
DESIGN TIPS
NAVIGATING CHANGE
15:00 - 15:20
Eyes on the Road: Designing Safe Automotive Interfaces
Casper Kessels
Snapp Automotive
Read more +
Eyes on the Road: Designing Safe Automotive Interfaces
What happens when you try to get people to interact with your product as little as possible? In his talk, Casper will discuss the challenges of creating in-car interfaces that prioritize safety while ensuring seamless user interaction. He will dive into the psychology behind driver distraction and the ways to design around it, sharing his insights on how to apply these concepts to products across other industries.
Keywords:
SAFETY
PSYCHOLOGY
UX
PRODUCT DESIGN
TRACK 2
(1X WORKSHOP)
14:00-15:30
15:30
From Pixel Pushing to Impact: How to be a catalyst for change as a Designer
Nadiim Nafei
TrackMan
Read more +
From Pixel Pushing to Impact: How to be a catalyst for change as a Designer
In this workshop you’ll explore methodologies to break free from the mold of “make pretty” to influence product strategy by harnessing your user-centered sense-making skills as a designer. You'll acquire the mindset and tools to communicate the value of your ideas and your work to transform them into measurable value and impact, and elevate your role in decision-making. Together with Nadiim, you’ll learn to reshape the narrative and empower design to drive meaningful change.
Keywords:
DESIGN IMPACT
ROLE OF A DESIGNER
DESIGN COMMUNICATION
DESIGNER TIPS
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
14:00-15:30
15:30
Collective Brain-Power: Bring a challenge, leave with ideas
Anamaria Dorgo
Handle With Brain
Read more +
Collective Brain-Power: Bring a challenge, leave with ideas
Have you ever attended a conference where participants were as smart and interesting as those stepping onto the stage? Design Matters attracts a fantastic crowd each year, and this time, we’re giving you a space to connect and learn from each other. In this highly interactive session, you will work in small groups to crowdsource ideas and insights for a professional challenge you are currently facing. It’s like a networking session on steroids, minus the cringe.
Keywords:
COACHING
SELF DISCOVERY
PERSONAL BRANDING
IN-PERSON ONLY
Only in-person ticket holders can attend this workshop
14:00-15:30
15:30
Systemic design lab: a hands-on mapping of the unseen
Jules Newland, Julieta Groshaus & Danae Gómez Lois
La Diseñería | Flexxi Design | Vandals
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Systemic design lab: a hands-on mapping of the unseen
Systemic thinking is the key to transforming design into a strategic decision-making force. Dive into it with this hands-on workshop, where you’ll map the ecosystem of a digital product. In this session, you’ll explore how every design choice impacts an entire system, beyond just individual elements. Using a playful approach, you’ll learn to identify connections between stakeholders and elements to understand the broader relationships at play. This immersive, learning-by-doing experience focuses on the process of system mapping, understanding the big picture is constructed and equipping you with the mindset to approach design from a more holistic perspective. You’ll have a clearer understanding of how our design choices create ripple effects throughout an ecosystem, which will enable you to create more meaningful and long-lasting impact through your design decisions. Get ready to empower your designers’ perspective with this workshop!
Keywords:
SYSTEMIC THINKING
SYSTEM MAPPING
ONLINE ONLY
Only livestream ticket holders can attend this workshop
15:30 - 16:00
COFFEE BREAK
16:00 - 16:30
Building a Culture of Craft
Alastair Simpson
Dropbox
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Building a Culture of Craft
In this talk, Alastair will share the cultural transformation within his team over the past year. He’ll discuss how a movement focused on elevating craft and quality has reshaped their approach to design. Alastair will share the highs and lows of the journey, highlighting the creative solutions that propelled them forward. Through practical insights and real-life examples, you’ll see how the team’s dedication to craft has made a tangible difference in Dropbox’s products.
Keywords :
CRAFT
CREATIVITY
TEAMWORK
DIVERSITY
INCLUSION
16:30 - 17:00
The Long View
Vicki Tan
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The Long View
A metaphysical design framework to help us design better possible past, present, and futures that create the human experience we want, for all time. Vicki applies this perspective to examples from her work at Spotify and Headspace to illustrate how it can lead to more intentional, balanced product decisions. Embracing the expansive “long view” can ultimately help designers create technology that aligns with our desired human experience.
Keywords :
DESIGN LONGEVITY
17:00 - 17:30
Round Table Discussion: the results
Tey Bannerman
McKinsey & Company
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Round Table Discussion: the results
Tey will present the results of the open round table discussion, where a group of designers, each one representing a past edition of Design Matters, gathered to reflect on the conference theme “What makes a designer a designer?”. Each designer explored what they have learnt over the past few years in relation to the theme, including suggestions and recommendations for other and future designers. Tey will also present lessons learned from successful projects and less successful projects.
Keywords :
FUTURE
DESIGN TIPS
17:30 - 18:30
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
Goodbye drinks
Overview
Detail view
Warm-up Day
Oct 23
Oct 23
Conf Day 1
Oct 24
Oct 24
Conf Day 2
Oct 25
Oct 25
Friends and Partners
These cool companies helped Design Matters to come alive
