We just got back from WDCD 2017! Part 1
The theme of the conference this year in Amsterdam was: WHAT CAN DESIGN DO TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE? This is a brief overview of our experience, to be followed soon by a closer look at some of the speakers and workshops we attended.
In our continuing effort to stay at the top of the massive wave of change that is sweeping through the design world and bring our clients the latest and most up-to-date, practical, and viable, knowledge and skills, we at Butterflies & Hurricanes, attended the What Design Can Do 2017 congress on Climate Change. Here are some of the many speakers and workshops we attended.
DAY 1, May 23, 2017
(Above) Introduction to the conference by Richard Van Der Laken (in red), host of the conference, along with moderators David Kester and Saskia Van Stein.
(Above) Alice Rawsthorn started the conference off with a political tone and Donald Trump's "Vision of Orangeness", and the message that design must get political, this lead directly to the WDCD2017 Manifesto at the end of the conference.
(Above) This political theme continued with Dagen Cohen, who spoke to the need to overcome the short-term reactions of our reptilian brain and think long-term to control climate change. (Below) The key question of the whole conference.
(Below) Dagen Cohen also launched this year's Climate Action Challenge, which seeks fresh and innovative design solutions to help mankind adapt to climate change with Elizabeth McKeon and Paige Rodgers.
(Above) Fred Gelli spoke on learning from natures wisdom and using biomimicry to naturally create desire, which, he believes, is the future of packaging design. He also led one of the Activation Workshops we attended.
(Above) Bisi Williams spoke on to the topic of design as leadership training, and how it can help you define and articulate your brand stories.
(Above) We attended and amazing Activation Workshop with the mighty Bruce Mau, author of the book Massive Change, The Massive Change Network, and leader in forward-thinking design. (Much more about him in his own post.)
(Above) One of the most touching presentations was by Aline Cavalcante, who spoke on biker activism in São Paulo, Brazil, to address unmanageable traffic, and the struggles with politics.
(Above) Elma Van Boxel spoke on the design of public spaces, sustainable city-making, and with great effect on the need to entice consumers to change through design.
(Above) Marcus Engman from IKEA spoke on the necessity and principles of Democratic Design, and IKEA's attempt to make life better for everybody and the importance of long-term trust and partnerships between creatives and agencies.
And that was just Day 1 of the conference. For an overview of Day 2 to check back soon, and watch for posts on individual speakers.
