London Design Festival 2022 – talks guide

Avoid, Intercept, Redesign: Facing Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans

V&A senior designer and curator Brendan Cormier, principal architect and founder of his own studio Niccolo Casas and Parley for the Oceans editorial director Thomas Gorton continue the ongoing conversation about how design can solve the problem of plastic in the ocean. While many designers are already helping to clean ecosystems by using marine plastic as a design material, this talk also addresses how design can contribute to the development of new plastic harvesting systems. Casas will speak on his own approach to the problem, explaining how digital production techniques can adapt to new material realties.

This talk will take place in person from 14:20 to 15:10 on 23 September at V&A, Cromwell Road, Hochhauser Auditorium, London, SW7 2RL. Tickets cost £5 and can be bought on Eventbrite.

ChallengeLDN – London’s Open Innovation Service

In conjunction with its launch, ChallengeLDN – the Mayor’s Open Innovation Programme – will hold a discussion about how the newest challenge programme will tackle the cost-of-living crisis. Greater London Authority’s first chief digital officer Theo Blackwell and Bethnal Green Ventures senior partner Cansu Deniz Bayrak plan to identify high potential innovators for the new scheme, supporting them in creating design solutions for those most at risk of falling into poverty. Addressing the urgency of this problem is also a priority of this talk, as well as connecting local authorities, communities and designers.

This free talk will take place in person from 17:00 to 18:00 on 22 September at V&A, Cromwell Road, Hochhauser Auditorium, London, SW7 2RL.

Come Together: How can design build stronger communities?

Design Council head of centre for accessible environments Fara Muneer, Glass House chief executive Sophia De Sousa, 7N Architects projects leaders Ben Watson and other will discuss how design can help build stronger communities. With a focus on public realm projects, the panel will use the work of different organisations and practitioners as an example of how to implement community-led design practices. Expect to hear about how the public can be involved in the design process and how design can give people a greater sense of agency through being more accessible and inclusive.

This talk will take place in person from 13:10 to 14:00 on 21 September at V&A, Cromwell Road, Hochhauser Auditorium, London, SW7 2RL. Tickets cost £5 and can be bought on Eventbrite.

Circular Design – Inhabit Hotels Panel Discussion

Green key-certified hotel brand Inhabit are bringing together a panel of design experts who will focus on the topic of circular design. The discussion will cover off how designers can promote sustainable craftsmanship through their practice and the materials they use. Moderated by designer writer, consultant and speaker Roddy Clarke, some of Inhabit’s creative partners like Goldfinger CEO and co-founder Marie Carlisle and Granby Workshop executive director Takiyah Daly will take on the complex topic and aim to provide some clarity on how designers can implement it in their daily craft. Held at Inhabit’s second hotel in Queen’s Gardens, the setting will seek to inspire visitors to consider socially conscious destinations.

This free talk will take place in person from 18:30 to 19:15 on 21 September at Inhabit, Queen’s Gardens, 1-2 Queen’s Gardens, London, W2 3BA.

Democratising the Design Process

How can the public become more involved in the design of their cities? This talk explores how technology could be the answer to empowering and engaging the public to participate in building their futures. As the world moves towards Web 3.0, metaverse platforms and augmented reality experiences join the more commonly used mobile apps in the portfolio of tools that designers could leverage to help democratise the design process. Experts in conversation include Darf Design founder Sahar Fikouhi, Public Works founding director and LMU course leader for Design for Cultural Commons Torange Khonsari and Open-Ended Design founder Suhair Khan.

This talk will take place in person from 14:20 to 15:10 on 21 September at V&A, Cromwell Road, Hochhauser Auditorium, London, SW7 2RL. Tickets cost £5 and can be bought on Eventbrite.