Watch DesignTalks 2024
The signature event of DesignMarch, international conference DesignTalks, took place in Harpa on 24th of April. The programme of the day was diverse were the circus spirit was all around and tackled the challenges of today with amazing speaker from all around the world who gave inspiration with their knowledge seeking solutions.
The conference was streamed live in collaboration with Dezeen and Business Iceland. Here you can watch.
Act I Let's talk about respect and resourcefulness
On designing for dignity, justice and reconnection with the earth right under our feet
Alan Ricks, Co-Executive Director at MASS Design Group, advocates for architecture's role in designing for justice and human dignity. MASS believes that architecture has a critical role to play in supporting communities to confront history, shape new narratives, collectively heal and project new possibilities for the future. Rán Flygenring, focuses on writing, illustration, and storytelling, boasting a rich portfolio including many exhibitions and published titles. She was recently honored with the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize 2023.
Act II Let's talk about beauty and betterness
On design that outsmarts scarcity and excess, breaks down cultural barriers and infuses betterness
Ervin Latimer, a fashion and print designer, founder of ready-to-wear brand Latimmier also lectures on anti-racist practices and queer culture. Flétta studio champions repurposing and local production, blending playfulness with critical inquiry. Art director Lisa Lapauw and photographer Mous Lambrat, are a dynamic duo that crafts visual narratives challenging stereotypes and cultural barriers commissioned by brands, films and institutions alike. A feast to the eyes and real food for thought.
Act III Let's talk about feelings and fantasy / Act IV Let's talk about humour and humility
III On designing movement, change and the otherworld
Sigríður Soffía Níelsdóttir, choreographer, author, and playwright, explores movement in all its forms and mediums, currently designing wiith fireworks and flora.Robert Thieman, former FRAME magazine founder and editor and now spatial consultancy BETTERNESS founder, is driven by his passion for a better built environment for people to thrive, with respect for nature. Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir, author and sustainability leader, champions intuition and urges that change must happen from within.James Merry, famed for embroidery and astounding face masks, is a long time collaborator with Björk on her visual input. His work promises a glimpse into a captivating mind, a journey into the otherworldly.
IV On designing for sensory responses and new learnings
Lonny van Ryswyck and Nadine Sterk of Atelier NL believe that design has the ability to connect local communities to the valuable resources that surround them In this way highlighting the intimate relationship between people and the earth's materials., Concluding the day we have Harry Parr of Bompas & Parr, a studio recognised as the leading expert in multi-sensory experience design: “Architects of taste; feeding minds and stomachs”. Founded by Harry Parr and Sam Bompas, sometimes referred to as the magicians of London, igniting imagination across industries.
Curator of DesignTalks is Hlín Helga Guðlaugsdóttir and producer is Þura Stína Kristleifsdóttir.
DesignTalks, an internationally acclaimed conference is an important platform for inspiration through rich conversations about important insights into the now and near and current challenges and opportunities of designers, architects and creative leaders, both local and international.
DesignTalks has been the signature event for DesignMarch from the beginning and has taken place for a full house in Harpa. It takes place in the Mies Van der Rohe awarded building Harpa and for the first time in 2022, it was also broadcasted live in collaboration with Dezeen and Business Iceland.
Through the years, speakers have included Bjarke Ingels, Katharine Hamnett, Winy Maas, Kristian Edwards Snøhetta, Henrik Vibskov, Christien Meindertsma, Robert Wang Google Creative Lab, Studio Swine, Calvin Klein, Daisy Ginsberg, Jonathan Barnbrook, Eley Kishimoto, Jessica Walsh Sagmeister&Walsh, Paul Bennett IDEO, Ilkka Supponen, Marti Guixé, Jersey Seymour, Anthony Dunne, Marshmallow Laser Feast, Marije Vogelzang, Anders Lendager, Ingvar Helgason Vitralabs, Aamu Song og Johan Olin, Liam Young, Marcus Fairs, Natsai Audrey Chieza, Paola Antonelli MOMA, Refik Anadol and many more.
