IMPACT

IMPACT! That was the title of the faculty’s jubilee symposium - a name which the event did not fail to live up to. Last Thursday 14 November, eight hundred guests from the IDE community and beyond took their seats in the AULA and braced for IMPACT! 

The journey started with a taster of what was on the day’s menu: a new 'Design for our Future' film, which can be seen here.

Next up was our dean, Ena Voûte, with some reflections on the faculty’s fifty year history, beautifully illustrated with some of her own product designs from her student years in the faculty in the early eighties. Keynote speaker, Christian Bason, from the Danish Design Centre propelled the discussion towards the future, as he outlined his ideas on how designers must expand their thinking to consider the long-term picture. 

Short films on the themes of mobility, health and sustainability brought the audience back to the challenges at hand. The thematic presentations, debates and discussions that followed, expertly moderated by Assistant Professor, Nynke Tromp, offered insights into how design can contribute to challenges, including sustainable transport, quality of life in later years and the transition to bio materials.  

Honorary Professor Donald Norman, visiting from the University of California’s Design Lab, was invited on stage to conclude the symposium with his view. He praised the faculty’s range of expertise and willingness to embrace the complexity of redesigning systems. For Donald, it is here that designers can have real impact. 

For those, who weren’t able to be there on the day, please take the time to watch the film of the event here.