Design Futures Forum 2024

What will be the role of design and designers in the face of rapidly advancing technologies, a planet that is at the point of “global boiling”, and a future in which the global life expectancy is increasing? The Design Futures Forum returns with an expanded two-day programme this year, examining the critical role of design in creating a better future in the areas of emerging tech, sustainability and care.

Featuring thought leaders and practitioners from Singapore and around the world, the forum will explore how people – from an individual scale to a larger, societal one – and design intersect to make a positive impact and create a better future for all beings. With a mix of thought-provoking presentations, engaging panel discussions and interactive hands-on sessions, participants can expect to be informed, intrigued and inspired to enact change in their own spheres of influence after.

This event is accredited:

• 4 CPD points (2 points per day) from BOA-SIA
• 6 CPD points (3 points per day) from SIDAC (SIDS)
• 6 CPD points (3 points per day) from SILA

Day 1: Design for the Future of Emerging Tech

Curated by:

Debra Langley
Venture Partner, Lyra Ventures

Speakers include:

Cathy Hackl
CEO, Spatial Dynamics

Alex Govoreanu
Co-Founder and CEO, Questo

Jeremy Ang [Panellist]
Global Technology Alliance Director | Strategy Advisor, BytePlus

Day 1: Design for the Future of Sustainability

Curated by:

Aric Chen
General and Artistic Director, Nieuwe Instituut

Speakers include:

Boonserm Premthada
Principal, Bangkok Project Studio

Mitchell Joachim
Co-Founder, Terreform ONE

Day 1: Design for the Future of Care

Curated by:

Tamsin Greulich-Smith
Director of School of X, DesignSingapore Council

Speakers include:

Professor Jeanne Tan
Professor of Fashion and Textiles Design, School of Fashion and Textiles
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Professor Wong Hon Tym
Clinical Director, Centre for Healthcare Innovation

Claudia Poh
Founder, Werable

Day 2: Design for the Future of Emerging Tech

Programmed by:

Design Matters

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Speakers include:

Dr Farah Shiraz
Chief Scientific Officer, Khora

Megan Bednarczyk
Senior Design Manager, Duolingo

Tobias Ahlin
Principal Product Designer, GitHub

Ice Zhao Bing
Design Lead, Unity Technologies

Mark Foo
Solutions Consulting Senior Manager, Figma

Day 2: Design for the Future of Sustainability

Curated by:

Wendy Chua
Programme leader, BA (Hons) Design for Social Futures, LASALLE | UAS
Co-founder, Forest and Whale

Dr Ying Seow
Senior Sustainability Manager, Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority Ltd

Speakers include:

Dr Chris Lim
Ophthalmic Surgeon, National University Hospital and Alexandra Hospital

Dr Srilalitha Gopalakrishnan
President, Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects (SILA)

Ar. Leong Tatt Man
Director, Tierra Design Studio
Founding Member, The Circle For Human Sustainability (TCHS)

Day 2: Design for the Future of Care

Programmed by:

School of X

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Speakers include:

Pilar Diaz Gonzalez
CEO, Femography at MAS Holdings

Proud Patanavanich
Associate Chief Administrative Officer and Innovation Division Director, MedPark Hospital