Organisers of the 26th International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) World Design Congress today announced the latest programme developments relating to "Design Difference - Designing Our World 2050". Icsid, the world body for industrial design, will be holding its biennial Congress for the first time in Singapore from 23 to 25 November. This year's Congress will directly address today's global challenges which will shape the world of 2050, including issues around agriculture, climate, education, health and mobility.
The event itself embraces the future by featuring "Design2050 Studios", inter-active and participative mini-symposia, led by world-renowned creative experts, including Chris Bangle of Chris Bangle Associates, and Stefano Marzano of Philips Design. In the months leading to the Congress, each of the Design Leaders will head up a team of four to six individuals from multi-discipline backgrounds to create a Design2050 proposition, by imagining, conceptualising and visualising a desired future. Participants at the Congress will be invited to transform these ideas into practical realities.
Dr Milton Tan, Director of DesignSingapore Council, and Chairman of the International Advisory Committee of the Congress commented on the theme, "Design goes beyond invention, or simply making things look cool. It is a vital component in tackling a whole range of social, economic and environmental challenges. It is the way that we create an intentional future. If applied properly, it can make a huge difference to the world of tomorrow."
Unlike conventional events which tend to feature one-to-many speaker sessions, the 2009 Icsid Congress will involve both keynote speakers, studio design leaders and delegates working together to chart a better future through design. Each Design2050 Studio will present, discuss and then refine their envisioned scenarios in partnership with delegates during the congress. The global public will also be able to contribute to inventing the future during open "ringside crowd-sourcing" sessions, and on-line social media forums.
Prof Carlos Hinrichsen, Icsid President said "Icsid Congress has always been about delivering programmes that encourage designers to take stock of existing methods and adapt these to the changing needs of the society. We are very excited to continue this tradition in Singapore this year, but with a vibrant new twist that will engage interaction with the delegates not only during the Congress, but before, and after the event as well. We look forward to seeing great design solutions arising from creative collaboration that will shape our desired future."
Singapore has a growing reputation as an international design hub as seen in Singapore's rise in the international design rankings. The Design Competitiveness Report (1), based on data from the World Economic Forum, showed that Singapore has made the best progress climbing from 22nd position in 2002 to 16th position in 2005. In the 2009 International Design Scoreboard, conducted by the University of Cambridge, Singapore was ranked Number 1 in relative measures, showing the relative intensity of design capabilities within the country.
RADM (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts said "We are delighted to host the Icsid World Design Congress 2009 in Singapore for the first time. This is a milestone in Singapore's ongoing efforts to establish itself as an international design hub. Singapore is a vibrant city with a global outlook and buzzing with creative energy. We believe that design enhances business competitiveness in an increasingly competitive environment and offers variety and colour to improve lives.
As part of the Icsid World Design Congress, an Education Conference will take place one day before the Congress on 22 November. The theme of this conference "Design Education:2050" attempts to crystal ball gaze the future of design education. It will take on a forward position that pulls concepts and scenarios towards the future.
This year's biennial Singapore Design Festival 2009, to be held from 20 to 30 November, which aims to celebrate and promote design as a spearhead of the new economy, will be an added benefit for the Icsid World Design Congress. The three-day Icsid World Design Congress will comprise a forum of presentations by design leaders, interactive ringside debates and plenary sessions. Delegates of the Congress will be able to take part in the Singapore Design Festival at no additional charge.