As Design Matters embarks on its next decade, the conference is evolving with a fresh identity, themes, and an exciting new concept. In 2025, Design Matters will debut as a 5-day conference and festival in Copenhagen, marking a bold step forward. For the first time, Design Matters is inviting the design community to shape its future through a – Call for Proposals, which is now live and will remain open until December 31, 2024.
I sat down with our Founder Michael Christiansen to get his thoughts behind this concept shift.
Michael, let’s start with some background. How would you describe the drive behind Design Matters through the ages?
“How it started. Design Matters began with a fascination for digital design services and tools—a passionate drive to absorb as much knowledge as possible from the best experts in the field. It was 2015, and everything digital was still relatively new and exciting. There was a need, a hunger, that we wanted to address.
Then, collectively, we began to feel disillusioned by the magic of fast-evolving technology. Skepticism grew regarding the effects of digital platforms for example on youth, news, and data analytics. Many began to see the future as dystopian—dominated by AI, big corporations, and diminished freedom of thought.
This sparked a new, deeper need: for sustainability, DEI strategies, and a global focus on impact. We embraced this shift and expanded our community by hosting Design Matters conferences internationally—first in Tokyo, then Mexico City, Lagos, and now Singapore.
While the themes and drive of Design Matters continue to evolve with the times, our core mission remains the same: to facilitate an inclusive community that fosters knowledge-sharing, provides a safe space, and inspires creativity and empowerment.”
Why the new concept, Call for Proposal?
“We’ve learned from the past. We know where we stand today and how to move into the future. Our goal is to use our insights to define the future of design. We’re doing this by giving the community a voice—by listening and allowing them to shape the direction of Design Matters.
How do we engage our community? They need to be part of the conversation. We don’t want to convince them—we want to understand. That’s why we’ve opened up for proposals and are carefully reviewing them to really listen, to enrich, to define the future of design and Design Matters.”
Who makes the decision, who makes the final Call?
“The Design Matters Board. Our new direction involves the Board—a group of six talented and diverse designers and former speakers—carefully curating the themes and program for Design Matters 25 from the proposals submitted by our community.
In collaboration with our organizing team, the Board will define and refine the event’s concept, selecting the core topics and themes that will guide the program. Their role is to scout for emerging talent and choose the most compelling proposals.
Together, we’re committed to ensuring that Design Matters 25 is not just groundbreaking, but a truly inspiring experience for all.”
A New Decade Begins
Well, there you have it. Design Matters 25 will be entering a new decade with a call-to-action from its design community, for its design community. Inviting you to be a part of this transformative journey.
Submit your proposal—whether it’s a talk, workshop, interactive exhibition, or installation—and showcase your vision for the future of design. The deadline is December 31, 2024.
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Website: designmatters.io
LinkedIn: Design Matters DK
Instagram: designmattersdk
