London Design Festival 2022
New Future Visions
The London Design Festival explored new ideas for an era of futurism based on sustainable values. The role that design can play, as a problem solver, a driver of creativity and a visualiser of protest, is absolutely crucial to some of the bigger challenges we all face, whether it is wellbeing or our climate. It is clear design is heading into a new direction and that the role of a designer is broadening. Designers are essential in creating regenerative systems and the products, materials and services needed.
“A possibilist revolution would unlock designers ‘power
to address our planetary emergency.”
During the London Design Festival, universal issues such as time and space were translated into the designs through the use of materials and the way people experience and interact with products. Time is embedded in the materials, in the way they are made, in their history and in the time they last. There was also attention to ageing which is about more than the number of years someone lives. Design can play an essential role in a dignified independent life.
Interaction between the physical and digital world makes people aware of dimensions and sensations that they have never experienced before, each person with their own story and emotional response. Physical and digital projects were aimed at strengthening the connection between people and objects. People could reflect on historical objects and design icons were reimagined and could be experienced through technology.
You can download the PDF of the report here
1/Regenerative Future
Creating lasting value
The role of design is essential in achieving a balance between the needs of people and the planet. The concept of regenerative design calls for a long-term transformation to rebalance human needs in conjunction with those of the planet. To do this, the world around us has to be reimagined and redesigned. and also manufacturing and materials need a radical change of which we saw inspirational examples at the London Design Festival such as a 3d printed cargo bike and garments made from reused materials.
We have the choice to continue with making minor adjustments to the mainstream culture and institutions of domination and exploitation or we can make the change towards a just and regenerative society. The latter requires dedication to restoring the health of living terrestrial systems, redefining material sufficiency, and enabling spiritual abundance for people and the planet.
Right, Still from the Abundance, Regenerative Futures video by Arup’s Foresight
Left to right, Bio-manufactured helmet by Studio Mom, circular garments by RÆBURN, Urban Fungarium by Rachel Horton-Kitchlew, Solar Blanket by Mireille Steinhage, Solar Powered Robot by Jinlong Xu, Phosfarm seaweed farm by Samuel Illife, Ohmie compostable orange lamp by Krill Design, ZUV 3D printed cargo bike by EOOS NEXT.
2/Recycle & Repair
Towards circularity
Extending the use is a sustainable solution and was one of the focuses of the London Design festival. Improving the reparability of products and offering repair services is a counter-movement to the 'throw-away” culture. Recycling also extends the life of materials in various forms and applications.
The fixer movement is a collaborative culture that promotes shared learning and the pooling of knowledge. Perfect is boring; repairing provides uniqueness and is better for the planet. Repairing a product is a way to deepen our relationship with the product. Visible restore can add something extra, products are re-contextualized and get a new layer of identity.
Right, R for Repair by London x Singapore
Left to right, Plasticity by Parley for the Oceans and Niccolo Casas, Repaired saucer from Maxim’s (via Jane Birkin), Made To Be Remade collection by Adidas, Antique sewing chest repaired by using Japanese joinery by Rio Kobayashi, Bot Initiated Longevity Lab, B.I.L.L. robot sneaker cleaning and repair by Nike, Times Four Armchair by Pierre Castignola, Wool Jumper Chair by Sons of Beasley, Discarded clothing heat-packed in ripstop nylon by Savvas Alexander and Dhanti Bell.
3/ Protest & Design
Creativity as a force for change
Could an alternative world powered by creativity as a renewable energy source be possible was one of the questions explored at the London Design Festival. This alternative world must bring forth creative solutions to topics such as social justice, climate change, mental well-being and class differences.
Objects were used as an expression of protest where creativity and craft were aimed at commenting on the existing power structures and failing systems. These expressions show their anger and concern for the future. Transdisciplinary ideas were brought together as an expression of the power of creativity and humanity.
Right, F*!k Recycling: We Need a Revolution by Daisy Pearson
Left to right, Hangxiety blanket by Eve Martin, Queer Nostalgia by Julia Dotson, Restore: A Not Too Comfortable Future by Dr Delfina Fantini van Ditmar, prints and garments to raise awareness about air pollution and mental health by Suksakaow Mahuttanatan, poster at Central Saint Martins Human Resources exhibition, Invisible Cost by Huixuan Li, Open-source shield designed to defend an individual’s civil rights by Ali Hossain.
4/Joyous Design
Positive vibes
The future may seem doom and gloom, but positivity and optimism are much needed to move forward as humanity and to find innovative solutions to societal challenges. During the London Design Festival products were focused on positivity, play and experimentation. The aim was to evoke positive emotions and bring short-term joy, to stimulate or strengthen.
Objects were characterized by total freedom in shape, size, material and use of colour, playful materials and mixing the lines between art and design. It was as if the designers looked at the world with childlike, almost naif wonder. The goal was to make the world a little brighter, a little more human and a little better. It's about exploring material ideas for a more hopeful future and approaching new ideas and playfulness with an open mind.
Right, The Hope Exchange-public space that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community by The Fandangoe Kid Studios
Left to right, Cable rug by Tino Seubert, paper mache lamp by Emmely Elgersma, Furry Vases by Mariadela Araujo, Totem by Yuri Suzuki-Huguet x Pentagram collection, Two Kettles, No Sofa bowl by James Shaw, bFRIENDS collection by Pearson Lloyd for BENE, Jello chair by Marco Campardo, Tapestry Vase by Mariadela Araujo.
5/Age Positivism
Reframing age
During the London Design festival attention was drawn to older people, and taking a new stance on how we look at older people is a priority. Getting older does not automatically mean a decline; there are many ways to age positively. The current ageing story is that age is an issue; repeated stereotyping often pushes older citizens to behave as society expects them to do. It may feel like the generation gap is bigger than ever and generations don't mix very often.
Human-proof design and inclusive products and services place the elderly at the heart of the design process. Design can play an essential role in an independent life. Packaging design has been cited as the number one frustration for the elderly, but all products and housing need to be evaluated with and through the eyes of older people.
Right, Representation of older athletes by Alex Rotas
Left to right, Gita hands-free cargo-carrying robot by Piaggio Fast Forward, model Frances Dunscombe, athlete Gurdev Singh, in the 80-84 year old Long Jump age group, Hearing Birdsong app by Kennedy Woods, The Future of Ageing exhibition at the Design Museum London, This Age Thing community buttons, Centaur self-balancing, two-wheeled personal electric vehicle by Centaur Robotics, Breaking the Age Code by Dr Becca Levy.
6/Primitivism
Back in time
Archaeology-inspired shapes and primitive objects reveal the beginnings of design. These shapes go back to a time when objects were formed by human hands, natural phenomena and time. In architecture, cave-like spaces are created to be together, enjoy music and nature or rest. These spaces are open to the elements so that light and the sounds of wind and rain are part of the experience.
Focus on simplicity and humility is a confrontation with the reality of complex modern civilization and how products are made. Returning to Earth, our roots and physical experiences recalibrate our values and ideas about our past, present and future.
Right, Henge Pavilion by Alan Stanton
Left to right, Food ritual by Arabeschi Di Latte, Rootfull By Zena Holloway, The Chapel of Sound by Open Architecture, Flow With Touch by Shenglun Huang, Jiacheng Mao and Zujie Guo, transformed copper and glass finds by Omer Arbel, UCCA Dune Art Museum by Open Architecture, woven fabric installation with reused waste yarn translating China’s carbon emission timeline by Linghao Xu, Henge detail by Alan Stanton.
7/Physical Interface
Mediated interaction
The digital space is a testing ground for experiments combining digital and physical domains through technology. The London Design Festival focused on various forms of digital strategies that transform, manipulate and animate physical reality. Classic shapes were digitized to create new playful interpretations. Digital design focuses on the physicality of things and also explores post-human physicality.
Digital design can bring radical changes that transcend usability, form and material experiences. By digitally examining physical objects, tangible materiality and our relationship with everyday objects, everyday objects take on a new immaterial layer and meaning. Combining functional wearables, physical craftsmanship and technology lead to more intuitive and flexible form interfaces. During London Design Festival, inflatable shapes and gloves where embroidery and e-textile techniques express materiality were the new interfaces.
Right, Meet Me in the Metaverse- connecting design classics to their digital versions by The Conran Shop X Its Nice That
Left to right, Inflatable Electronics by Wei-Lun Hung, Not David! questioning the ‘copy’ by Xcessive Aesthetics, mirror by Oskar Zieta, computational designs by OZRUH, FingerType-keyboard mapping on fingers by Shiwen Wang, Collar by Caroline Broadhead, Bio-wearables to interact with air, light and soil from a plant’s perspective by Yuning Chen, Fiber Haptics by Youran Song.
You can download the PDF of the report here