700 design professionals from over 40 countries praise participative format of “Design 2050 Studios”

Singapore, 25 November, 2009: Over 700 design professionals from more than 40 countries took part in the 26th Icsid World Design Congress, which ended today, making it one of the largest gatherings of international design expertise ever in Singapore. The Congress - themed “Design Difference: Designing Our World 2050” – involved participants in stimulating collaboration across multiple disciplines and national boundaries. The unique interactive format of parallel break-out
sessions, across nine different design challenges, won praise from speakers and participants, allowing for a more participative event than normal.

The Congress was welcomed officially to Singapore on Monday by Minister of Finance, Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Addressing the conference on its final day, Low Cheaw Hwei, Chairman of the Singapore 2009 Organising Committee said:

“This year’s congress has been one of the most prestigious and important gatherings of international creative thinkers ever in Singapore. We have been able to utilise the experience and knowledge of our outstanding presenters to champion the social, economic and environmental benefits of great design. This congress has offered a truly beneficial experience for the delegates with its unique participative structure. I am delighted with the outcome of the congress and feel it has been a great success for all involved.”

Through insightful presentations and thought-provoking discussions, the Congress provided perspectives on the changes creative design can bring as the world faces pressing global challenges such as climate change and economic uncertainty.
Commenting on this year’s Congress, Paola Antonelli, senior curator at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, said:

“I have been really impressed by the format of the workshops because they gave participants and the design leaders an opportunity to explore and digest a range of perspectives. Some of the workshops proposed actionable ideas, while others just vented about the future. I am leaving this Congress having learned some things, which is something I can not say about every congress I attend.”

Stefano Marzano, Healthcare 2050 Design Studio Leader, and CEO of Philips Design was inspired:
“The discussion was rich and open. I hope for all of us it represents some new thinking, and in the end the output is all in our hands, as designers. It is for us to take what we have explored and learned here, and start building the better world of tomorrow.”

Erwing Van Handenhoven, a participative delegate from France said he had enjoyed himself:
"It has been great. We have been able to go beyond superficial thinking, and Singapore is a really great location for us to take a break, and get out of the stress of day-to-day design, to make something impactful. Design has so many faces and being at this Congress has meant that you can explore many different aspects of design.”

The next Icsid Congress will be held in xxxx in xxxxx.

Icsid
The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) is an international nongovernmental organisation for professional industrial design. Founded in 1957, Icsid facilitates cooperation and interaction among professional associations, promotional societies, educational institutions, government bodies, corporations and institutions with the aim of contributing to the development of the profession of industrial design. Through shared interests, experiences, and
resources, Icsid provides an international platform for its members to be heard as a powerful voice. Icsid also holds consultative status with UNESCO, UNIDO, ISO and WIPO to support and highlight design in international forums.

DesignSingapore Council
Design changes and improves lives, inspires creativity and new forms of expression. It also enhances business competitiveness in today’s crowded marketplace. DesignSingapore Council is Singapore’s response to these propositions and opportunities.

As a national initiative, the Council aims to place Singapore on the world map for design creativity. It looks to develop a thriving, multi-disciplinary design cluster of industries and activities in Singapore that has relevance and impact globally.

The initiative also aims to bring design to business boardrooms, new audiences and new markets. The DesignSingaporeCouncil was formed in August 2003 as a department within the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, as the national agency for the promotion and development of Singapore design.