Dezeen is partnering with Icelandic design festival Design March to host a series of live talks exploring the importance of design in addressing global challenges.

The conference will be moderated by Dezeen editor Tom Ravenscroft and streamed live on Dezeen at 10:00am London time, 3 May 2023.

Titled DesignTalks, the conference will be split into four themed sessions, which will be live streamed from the fair in Reykjavik, Iceland. The conference is part of the 15th itineration of DesignMarch.

The first session will explore the resilience of creativity, focusing on how designers have been able to work during extreme global challenges, as well as how design can be used to create courage and hope.

The session will begin with a performance by partner and global design director of design company IDEO, Michael Hendrix, followed by presentations by media artist Refik Anadol and architect and director Liam Young.

The second session follows on from the previous panel by asking how designers can work to create more sustainable and innovative ways of working.

Joining the panel are CEO of climate solution company Transition Labs, Kjartan Örn Ólafsson, designer and founder of material brand Vitralabs, Ingvar Helgason, CEO and owner of clothing brand 66°North, Bjarney Harðardóttir, and designer, artist and researcher, Thomas Pausz.

The third session will host a panel featuring landscape architect and co-founder of LOLA Architects, Peter Veenstra, artistic director and founder of design studio ÞYKJÓ, Sigríður Sunna Reynisdóttir, partner at design studio Design Group Italia, Sigurður Þorsteinsson, and founder of art project Graphic Rewilding, Lee Baker.

This panel will discuss how design can be used to address the social challenges highlighted during the pandemic. Speakers will discuss questions such as how to design for dignity, justice, participation and inclusion, and how we can create more healing environments.

In the last session of the conference,  bio-designer and Faber Futures founder, Natsai Audrey Chieza and senior curator of architecture and design at The Museum of Modern Art, Paola Antonelli, will wrap up the themes discussed in previous sessions by exploring what they think the future of design holds.

The pair will also discuss how designers can use the advances in science and technology in recent years, looking at rapidly advancing fields like bio-design.

DesignMarch is Iceland's largest design fair. Curated by Hlin Helga Guðlaugsdóttir, the event covers architecture, fashion, interiors and graphic design.

The five-day fair showcases innovation in Icelandic design and architecture, and this year will host 100 exhibitions, 400 participants and 100 different events.

The full lineup of talks and more information about the festival can be found here. Tickets to the design fair can be purchased via this link.

DesignMarch takes place from 3-7 May 2023 in Reykjavík, Iceland. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.

Partnership content

This article was written by Dezeen for DesignMarch as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.