Programme

What Design Can Do (WDCD) is an esteemed international organisation known for their innovative programmes that bring together diverse sectors to tackle social challenges and promote a sustainable world through design-driven innovations. 

As cities across Asia undergo accelerated urbanisation, governments and businesses are faced with daily challenges to innovate for the future while preserving the past.  Creative minds are adept at harnessing the unique power of design to transform urban life while preserving legacies, thereby revitalising dormant communities.

Discover the power of circular design that gives your business a competitive edge! Learn how to create innovative, environmentally-responsible designs that not only reduce carbon footprint, but also grow your business, enhance customer relationships, while staying compliant with current and future regulations.

Embark on an immersive journey into the world of luxurious lighting design with this hands-on workshop, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of renowned Czech brands – Lasvit and Preciosa – who masterfully create bespoke glass lighting installations for elite clientele, including luxury hotels, royal palaces, and exclusive spaces worldwide.

d'strict, a trailblazing South Korean company, has gained worldwide recognition for its visually stunning fusion of content and digital media technology.  Their distinctive approach to cultural storytelling has enabled businesses to communicate brand values and mission in a remarkably engaging manner.

When translating hoteliers' visions into remarkable opulent designs, investors and designers must take into account local sentiments and traditional values to create culturally and ecologically sustainable spaces and buildings.  Such an approach can become more than just aesthetically pleasing but also resonates with local culture and community.

As consumers demand more from their dining experiences, hotels and restaurants are searching for ways to distinguish themselves and make a lasting impression. In this panel, Sean Dix and Jonny Moreland, both based in Hong Kong, will share their insights on how to leverage meticulous and intriguing design, engaging culinary experience, and impressive storytelling to elevate a brand's perception and cultivate brand loyalty.

Join us for an immersive workshop on circular design, blending design thinking and co-creation methodologies to envision sustainable solutions in areas like food, fashion, architecture, and packaging. Utilising design briefs from the What Design Can Do - Make it Circular Challenge

In the era of rapid urban transformation, visionaries are setting a new agenda for global urban spaces, where sustainable design in buildings is united with responsible considerations for experience and functionality. To mitigate escalating consequences in high-density cities, especially during rapid urbanisation, a radical shift in the way we design and function our cities is paramount and urgent.

Join Peter Joore and Marijke Idema in an interactive workshop that bridges East and West through the application of circular design strategies. 

Penda China, a Beijing-based architectural firm known for incorporating nature-inspired concepts and traditional Chinese philosophies into their projects, draws inspiration from nature.  The firm’s founder, Sun Dayong, firmly believes that ‘Less is Love’ and acknowledges that nature has much to teach about counteracting excess and building more resourcefully.

In the Closing Dialogue on Day 1, speakers from different fields, namely Daan van Eijk, Clint Nagata, Garett Hwang, and L. J. Kim, will discuss the mission of design in shaping liveable urban spaces that meet the needs of the global citizens. Drawing from their diverse experiences, they discuss the challenges and opportunities of creative placemaking and offer actionable strategies to build the optimal urban environment.

Navigating the Business Landscape and Design Opportunities in Hong Kong and the region.

‘Change’ holds great significance for the world we live in, but also elusive by nature, as forces of change are often outside an organisation’s control.  In order to start initiating meaningful changes from the inside, Marieke Rietbergen, CEO of the renowned Design Innovation Group (DIG) from the Netherlands, has developed a unique methodology that empowers designers and business leaders to take charge, step up and drive innovations while redesigning businesses through FUTURE IMAGINATION. 

The key for this workshop is to conduct design with emotions and express love and care through design. In this workshop, Chinese architect Sun Dayong will share with participants selected case studies, lead discussions and interactive activities. He will let you wear the designer’s hat and look at the world from different perspectives. As time passes by alongside the different streams of thoughts, one will be able to find one’s own lifestyle through architecture and design, and to feel love and be loved.

In our current linear economy of ‘take-make-dispose’, many values are lost, and products are discarded even before they reach the end of their lifespan.  By applying circular business models, companies can uphold and capture those values and create business opportunities for themselves.  Designers can play a crucial role in the transition towards a circular economy.

Generative AI (aka. AIGC) is a buzz word. This masterclass is intended to be a step-up from the entry point for business leaders, owners, marketers from the creative industry and the related sectors. In the workshop, you will learn: The basic principle of Generative AI and concerns in application, particularly for creatives, strategies and cases of Generative AI in the creative business and marketing / branding, and how to create your own AIGC works and next step.

In the 21st century, traditional models of leadership have proven to be inadequate for the unprecedented challenges we face. Rama Gheerawo, author of Creative Leadership: Born from Design, believes the answer lies in creativity and presents a ground-breaking approach that re-examines the essential qualities of today’s leaders.  The approach emerged from a single insight: we need creatives who are leaders, and leaders who are creative.  

Amid the ever-evolving digital landscape, the fusion of creativity and technology has become increasingly important in the art of storytelling. In this panel, two local creative professionals will showcase their recent interactions with technologies, such as XR, the interplay of data and music, etc, and how they tap this unique creative power for brands, businesses, and creative endeavours, enabling them to captivate end-users with intriguing narratives.

Transitioning to a net-zero world is a daunting endeavour for many industries, and reducing carbon emissions is only part of the equation. To accelerate the transition, corporations are reimagining the entire value chain. This exemplifies the exceptional leadership at the core of brand revitalization. This strategy creates long-term business value while minimising environmental impacts, paving the way for a sustainable future.

The world is beset by many unsustainable production practices - characterised by the overuse of raw materials, unrepairable products, and accumulation of dead stock - and requires systemic change.

Embark on a ground-breaking journey in leadership development in this transformative and dynamic workshop!  Be the Leader of Tomorrow: Creative, Empathic, and Visionary! Based on Rama Gheerawo's revolutionary book, Creative Leadership: Born from Design, this innovative programme will challenge your perceptions and empower you to lead with creativity, clarity and empathy.

The use of generative AI in enhancing business branding, marketing and operation has taken the world by storm. Industry leaders are investigating its potential to drive changes, improve efficiency, and collect insights and analytics with greater accuracy. In the design realm, its ability to streamline creative processes and inspire creativity is also transforming the workings of the whole industry.

An enormous amount of fast-moving consumer goods are produced every year worldwide. Their short-lived nature can be detrimental to the environment. Based on his book on circular business models and design strategies - Products that Flow, Siem Haffmans, renowned Dutch strategic design consultant for circular economy, will share his insights on design and production of inspiring cases.

Explore the transformative power of purpose and get a glimpse of success in a dynamic business landscape. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have been enlightened by the significance of purpose and shared value in achieving long-term success.  Syed Asim Hussain, a leader in the Hong Kong high-end restaurant industry, was among the hardest hit.  In this panel, he will share his group's journey of instilling purpose in driving resilience within their workforce and bouncing back with strength.

In this Closing Dialogue on Day 2, speakers Francesca Valsecchi, Rama Gheewaro, Pieter van Os and Maggie Wong share their perspectives on how creativity can be harnessed to design a liveable and lovable world. They will showcase practical examples and unique journey of creative leadership, highlighting the potential of innovation and design to address complex problems and enhance human experiences. Their diverse backgrounds offer valuable insights into the opportunities to design a better world.

At the intersection of art, design, and extended reality (XR) technology, a new era of storytelling is emerging that empowers content creators with unprecedented opportunities to express their visions.

At the intersection of art, design, and extended reality (XR) technology, a new era of storytelling is emerging that empowers content creators with unprecedented opportunities to express their visions.