COOL Europe – by Design
Connected, Optimistic, Open, Long-lasting
Join us for the 2024 BEDA Design Forum in Brussels on 30 May.
The iconic Design Museum Brussels will be the venue for this year’s BEDA Design Forum, themed “Cool Europe.” Together, we will delve into the influence and allure of connectivity, optimism, openness, and longevity in design. We aim to pave the way for a future where creativity aligns with purpose and sustainability – in its broadest sense.
The programme includes a blend of talks, updates from Europe, and knowledge exchange, fostering inspiration and emphasising the value of meaningful conversations.
We acknowledge the current challenges and crises, recognizing their devastating impact. However, if we cannot envision a better future, how can we design for it? We believe in fostering enthusiasm over worry, optimism over pessimism, and focusing on potentials rather than problems. We deserve to have faith that positive change is possible.
Design has always been about creating meaning and adding value, often in entirely new and unconventional ways, driven by creative talent, courage, and the ability to push boundaries.
Programme
30 May 13:30-18:00 CEST + networking afterwards
Moderator: Tom Watts, BEDA Board Member and Head of Design at Design Crafts Council of Ireland
13:30 – Welcome
14:00 – 15:40 Session 1
- Opening words: Christina Melander, BEDA President and Director of Digital Transition at Danish Design Centre
- Design for Europe’s Growth
Lisa Lang, Chairwoman at United Nations Global Innovation Hub Cultural & Creative Industries Taskforce - Transforming Europe: the Impact of Design and EIT CC’s Support
Ambra Trotto, Director of Transformation at European Institute of Innovation & Technology Culture & Creativity - Design Discourse and Democracy in the World Design Capital 2026 Context
Dr Felix Kosok, Director Design Discourse for World Design Capital Frankfurt RehinMain 2026 under the motto of „Design for Democracy”
15:55 – 17:30 Session 2
- Design Ideas to Slow Down the C02 Graph of Doom!
Gareth Broadbent, Creative Director at True Life Story - The Future of Modernised EU Design Law is the Future of Digital and AI-Generated Designs
Gaile Sakalaite-Orlovskiene, Leader of the Designs Legislative Reform Group, Member of the Legal Department, Litigator at EUIPO – European Union Intellectual Property Office
- SACCORD Project – Skills for Designers
Isabelle Vérilhac, BEDA Past President, Director of Development at APCI – Promotion of Design, Founder of Design With Isabelle
Dimitris Kaboukos, BEDA Project Manager - BEDA member pitches:
- ‘Design Wings’ Connecting Design Graduates with Companies
Audronė Drungilaite, Director of Design Innovation Centre of Vilnius Academy of Arts - ‘Belgium is Design’ – Some Viewpoints on Design from Belgium
Laure Capitani, Coordinator of the Wallonia-Brussels Design Fashion (WBDM) Department - ‘Design as a Competitive Edge’ Empowering SMEs and Designers Through Intellectual Property
Iiris Adenius, Legal Adviser at Ornamo Art and Design
- ‘Design Wings’ Connecting Design Graduates with Companies
17:30 – 18:00 Session 3
- Conversations towards actions
18:00 – Networking over a glass of wine
Registration: google.com/url?q=docs./forms/d[…]xkbYhky3PQ8GXkS
Members of BEDA are invited to join the BEDA General Assembly 2024 on the following day, 31 May. All required information is issued via email and can also be accessed in the BEDA Member Zone.
Voice Your Opinion on Intellectual Property Rights
DAACE, funded by the EUIPO, aims to help designers understand their rights through educational video tutorials. To promote these tutorials, we ask your help to create short social media clips featuring your perspectives, which will also serve as testimonials to the EUIPO.
A videographer will be available to capture your views about the topic in less than a minute. You could answer questions such as:
- How important are IP-Rights to your national design industry and why?
- How do you see the need for Designers to be familiar with IP-Rights?
- What is the most pressing issue for designers regarding IP-Rights from your perspective?
- Are IP-Rights needed?
These clips, featuring your title, name, and organisation, will be shared on LinkedIn and Instagram from July to the end of 2024.
For questions, contact Anna Kohut-Janko anna.kohut-janko@beda.org, Regina Hanke regina.hanke@beda.org, or Dita Danosa dita.danosa@beda.org (BEDA Board Members and EUIPO Liaison Officers).