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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250909
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250911
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SUMMARY:World Design Congress 2025
DESCRIPTION:The prestigious World Design Congress is coming to London again in 2025\, for the first time in over 50 years. The World Design Congress 2025 brings together design innovators\, business leaders and academic thinkers from around the globe\, to exchange ideas around this year’s theme\, that’s Design for Planet. \nThe 34th edition of this biannual design event will take place at the iconic Barbican Centre\, featuring two days of thought-provoking keynotes\, engaging breakout sessions\, and opportunities for meaningful connections. Don’t miss this pivotal moment as the design community comes together to address the climate and nature crises. \nThe two-day conference\, taking place on September 9-10\, followed by the one-day WDO General Assembly on 11 September\, will coincide with the London Design Festival. \nDiscover London Design Festival 2024 \nThe Barbican Centre \nThe World Design Congress 2025 is in London\nAfter a 50-year hiatus\, the World Design Congress is making its way back to the UK\, with London chosen as the host city against fierce international competition. Recognised as a global design capital\, London will host the main event alongside the London Design Festival\, complemented by regional showcases highlighting the UK’s vibrant design sector. \nThe city last hosted the Congress in 1969 at the Southbank Centre\, attracting nearly 1\,000 delegates from 39 countries and featuring H.R.H. Princess Margaret as the guest of honour. To celebrate\, the Design Council’s Design Centre in Haymarket showcased the best in global design with its “Design ’69” exhibition. \nSince its inception in 1959\, the World Design Congress has convened every two years in cities like Tokyo\, Hyderabad\, Turin\, and Montreal\, fostering discussions on the most pressing design challenges of the times. \nDiscover Clerkenwell Design Week in London \nThe Conservatory at The Barbican Centre (photo Max Colson\, from the Barbican Centre website) \nThe 2025 Edition: A Celebration of Design and Sustainability\nSet against the iconic backdrop of the Barbican Centre\, renowned for its brutalist architecture and commitment to sustainability\, the 2025 Congress promises to inspire and innovate. Opened in 1982\, the Barbican serves as a hub for arts\, learning\, and conferences. The venue’s ongoing Barbican Renewal project\, in partnership with the Design Council\, is repurposing underused spaces to foster creativity without expanding its physical footprint. \nDesign for Planet: a Call to Action\nThe impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly undeniable\, demanding a unified global response. Designers and design commissioners worldwide hold a pivotal responsibility in shaping a regenerative future by cutting carbon emissions and fostering biodiversity. Here’s how we can lead the way:\nAdvancing Zero Emissions Harness innovation\, leverage technology\, and promote behavioral changes to drive a transition toward zero emissions.\nReimagining Resources Prioritize sustainable materials\, embrace waste reuse\, and foster a fair\, circular economy to reduce environmental impact.\nRestoring Ecosystems Revive biodiversity\, regenerate communities\, and empower individuals with the skills needed to nurture their environments and create thriving spaces. Together\, we can design solutions that not only address the challenges of today but also build a sustainable\, equitable\, and flourishing planet for generations to come. \nDiscover The Design Conference at BDOW in Hong Kong \n5 Top World Class Designers Ambassadors\nFive prominent figures in design are leading the charge for the Design for Planet mission as Ambassadors for the 2025 Congress.  \nTom Dixon\nA self-taught designer from Tunisia\, he became globally renowned for his innovative creations. Tom Dixon‘s iconic works include the ‘S Chair’ for Cappellini and the Jack light\, which made him a design icon. In 2002\, Dixon founded his eponymous brand\, creating a wide range of products and earning an O.B.E. in 2001. Through Design Research Studio\, launched in 2007\, he has completed high-profile interior projects like Shoreditch House and the Mondrian Hotel. His first major Australian project is the Quay Quarter Tower. \nTom Dixon (photo Cosentino\, from Tom Dixon website) \nEs Devlin\nEs Devlin is an artist and stage designer whose work explores biodiversity\, linguistic diversity\, and AI-generated poetry. Her projects span public sculptures at Tate Modern\, the V&A\, and the UN\, kinetic stage designs for the Royal Opera House and National Theatre\, and major performances for Beyoncé\, The Weeknd\, and U2. Her accolades include the London Design Medal\, along with a CBE and recognition as Royal Designer for Industry. \nEs Devlin (photo from Es Devlin website) \nDr. Lesley Lokko OBE\nAn architect\, academic\, and novelist\, Lokko is the founder of the African Futures Institute and 2024 Royal Gold Medal recipient\, recognised for her efforts to democratise architecture. \nSuhair Khan\nShe’s a cultural strategist bridging technology and the arts. As a senior executive at Google\, she led projects like Google Arts & Culture\, driving initiatives to preserve and share cultural heritage. \nFoday Dumbuya\nFounder of LABRUM London\, Dumbuya blends West African heritage with British style\, crafting menswear that celebrates storytelling and cultural fusion. A recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design\, his work exemplifies thoughtful craftsmanship. \nWorld Design Organization\n1957 – On June 29\, ICSID (International Council of Societies of Industrial Designers) was officially established in London. The organization was registered in Paris. Today\, the Secretariat is in Montreal (Quebec\, Canada).  \n1959 – The inaugural Icsid Congress and General Assembly took place in Stockholm\, Sweden. During this event\, the Icsid Constitution was adopted\, along with the first official definition of industrial design. Membership had grown to 23 members from 17 countries. The organization’s name was updated to the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. \n1981 – The first joint Congress of Icsid\, the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda)\, and the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) was held in Helsinki. This event marked the beginning of a closer collaborative relationship among the organizations. \n2017 – On January 1\, Icsid was officially renamed the World Design Organization. \nWhy attend\nHighlights of the 2025 Congress \nThe Venue\nThe Barbican Centre\, renowned for its brutalist architecture and commitment to sustainability\, will serve as the venue. Its ongoing Barbican Renewal project\, a collaboration with the Design Council\, emphasizes repurposing over expansion. \nThe Program\nThe two-day event will feature keynotes\, breakout sessions\, and networking opportunities. \nThe Ambassadors\nFive leading design figures will champion the “Design for Planet” mission:\nTom Dixon OBE\nEs Devlin CBE\nDr. Lesley Lokko OBE\nSuhair Khan\nFoday Dumbuya \nWorld Design Congress\, London\, September 9-10\, 2025\nVenue: Barbican Centre\, London \nWorld Design Congress is for professional\nHosted by Design Council\, in collaboration with World Design Organization\nAdmission tickets and more info on website WorldDesignCongressLondon.com   \nSome images of the Barbican Centre in London (from Barbican Centre website)
URL:https://designweekguide.com/event/world-design-congress-2025/
LOCATION:Barbican Centre\, London\, Silk Street\, London\, EC2Y 8DS\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Design Summit & Conferences
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://designweekguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/barbican-centre-2.jpg
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