International Design Conference speaker and reactors on the Gross National Happiness session featuring (from left) Carmen Jimenez-Ong, CEO of Menarco Tower; Dr Pamela Cajilig of Curiosity Design Research; main speaker Lhatu of Gross National Happiness Centre Bhutan; Paulo Mercado of Ogilvy; and Ar. Leandro Poco of Poco Architects.
The DTI-Design Center of the Philippines hosted the 8th International Design Conference on 20 September 2024, at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in BGC, Taguig City. This annual flagship event, held in celebration of Design Consciousness Week and as a co-branded event of the Philippine Creative Industries Month, both held in September, served as the country’s premier platform for design innovation and global knowledge exchange.
With the theme “Design Beyond Desire,” this year’s International Design Conference probed the critical role of design in crafting compelling, life-centered solutions and systems. The conference aimed to equip designers, businesses, and policymakers with the tools and insights needed to address real-world challenges and create a meaningful, sustainable, and equitable future.
Panel discussions followed the Ignite Session, responding to the International Design Conference audience’s clamor for a deeper exploration of the topics raised by the vanguards. Joining the discussion will be Philippine experts and provocateurs who guided the audience into new and exciting territories.
“The International Design Conference is more than just a conference; it’s a catalyst for transformative action,” said Rhea Matute, Executive Director of the DTI-Design Center of the Philippines. “We believe that design has the power to shape a better future, and this year’s conference will provide a platform for new thinking, innovative ideas, and radical collaborations to thrive in this brave new world.”
