Design Conference

Kick off the day with coffee, conversation, and connection at our Women in Design & Tech Networking Breakfast. This informal gathering offers a relaxed environment for women across the design and tech industries to meet, share experiences, and build new relationships. With no formal agenda, it’s the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and set the stage for a day of inspiring discussions.

This panel brings together leading women from architecture & interiors, graphics & advertising, film & animation, and industrial & product design to explore how emerging technologies are transforming creative fields. The discussion will focus on balancing creativity with the systematic use of AI, improving efficiency to unlock innovation, and navigating ethics in automation. Through real-world insights, the panel will highlight how technology can enhance—not replace—creativity, offering practical strategies for designers to embrace innovation and shape the future of their industries.

Take a break with a coffee and light refreshments, and explore the exhibitor displays in the foyer. Food & beverage at attendees cost.

This panel explores the expanding landscape of design technologies beyond AI, including 3D printing, VR, AR, prefabrication, robotics, and material science. Four leading designers will discuss the unexpected benefits, sustainability impacts, and global reach these tools enable. The conversation will highlight how emerging technologies are transforming workflows and redefining client interactions, balancing the digital and physical realms. From leveraging robotics for sustainability to managing client expectations in virtual settings, the session offers insights into navigating the future of design with practical, innovative solutions.

This panel addresses the ethical dilemmas and cybersecurity risks that often deter the adoption of emerging technologies in design. Drawing parallels between past technological fears - like the arrival of photography - and today’s concerns around AI, the discussion explores topics such as intellectual property theft, insider threats, and the influence of tech giants. Panelists will provide practical strategies for safeguarding designs, reflect on AI’s role in the creative process, and challenge attendees to embrace innovation thoughtfully, balancing the potential risks with the productivity needed to meet modern demands.

After an inspiring keynote from Karim Rashid, grab lunch from a variety of food trucks and take a moment to reflect on his insights with your peers. Food & beverage at attendees cost.

In The Future of Design, Karim Rashid explores how our relationship with the material world must evolve to keep pace with the rapid advancement of the digital age.
Humanity, having lived in a primarily analog world for 100,000 years, now finds itself in just the first 30 years of the digital era. Rashid asks: How will design bridge this gap between the material and immaterial, and how will it reshape social behaviour?

As consumers increasingly seek stimulation and inspiration from both their physical and digital environments, Rashid emphasises that future design must create seamless, pleasurable experiences across all aesthetic disciplines - blurring the lines between design, art, architecture, fashion, and more. This fusion will shape a future where technology and creativity coexist to elevate everyday life.

Yet, Rashid cautions that great design must remain rooted in human needs and desires, emphasising innovation, individuality, and meaningful differentiation. It’s not enough to simply adopt technology; designers must consciously design products, spaces, and experiences that inspire and engage the senses. Rashid’s lecture challenges attendees to envision a future where the boundaries between material and digital dissolve, delivering a more connected and fulfilling experience for all. This is the future of design: a world where creativity, technology, and human essence merge seamlessly to enhance our collective experience.

Pause and recharge for the final stretch of the day. Browse the exhibitors in the foyer, connect with fellow attendees, and get ready for our closing session and evening cocktail party. Food & beverage at attendees cost.

Join us for an exclusive evening soirée to unwind and celebrate with fellow attendees. Enjoy cocktails, conversation, and connections as we officially open the Lexus Emerging Design Studio, with special guest Karim Rashid, one of the global Lexus Design Award judges. This is your chance to mingle, reflect on the day’s discussions, and toast to the future of design in a relaxed, elegant atmosphere.Tickets on sale soon, sign up for ADW e-news to be the first to know when.