creators show innovation power at knowledge of design week 2023

Knowledge of Design Week 2023

In a three-day event within the Hong Kong Palace Museum, Knowledge of Design Week (KODW) 2023 gathered over 40 renowned global innovators and business leaders. Tackling the theme, The Power of Design: Innovating for a Circular World, the annual event invited industry leaders to partake in 30 face-to-face events, ranging from workshops and forums to masterclasses, and explore innovative ways to create a sustainable future. KODW arranged business elevating networking opportunities during the course, and the ‘InnoDesign Leadership Forum cum CEO Dinner’ after the closing ceremony.

Knowledge of Design Week (KODW) 2023 opened on 14 June at Hong Kong Palace Museum.

Richard van der Laken, Co-founder & Creative Director of What Design Can Do (WDCD)

all images © Hong Kong Design Centre

KODW opened with expert guest features

KODW is a premier annual design event organized by Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), with Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) as the Lead Sponsor. The course opened with prestigious officiating guests including Mr. Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism HKSAR Government, Mr. Arjen van den Berg, Consul General in the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hong Kong and Macao, and Prof. Eric Yim, Chairman of Hong Kong Design Centre. With the Netherlands as the Partner Country for the 2023 edition, KODW 2023 was co-organized with CreativeNL, the platform for creative pioneers from the Netherlands.

Francesca Valsecchi, Associate Professor of Tongji University College of Design and Innovation, and Teo Yang, Creative Director of Teo Yang Studio

Six Program Pillars

KODW 2023 ceremony was centered around six program pillars: Social Innovation & Wellness, Culture & the City, New Urban Models, Transformative Brands, Hospitality, and AI & Technology. Through thorough examination in each topic, KODW 2023 explored the unique and powerful role that design plays in driving positive changes in the world. Over the three-day event, renowned industry experts and innovators showcased the application and impact of responsible and circular design. Collective efforts of different communities and businesses were called upon to leverage the power of design to build a more equitable, sustainable and resilient society.

Clint Nagata, Founder & Creative Partner of BLINK Design Group

Keynote speakers and panel Discussions

Along with networking opportunities, KODW 2023 offered visitors the chance to listen to some of the greatest minds in the world of design. Among the itinerary of talks and panels; Richard van der Laken guided participants to envision sustainable solutions in areas such as food, fashion, architecture and packaging, utilizing design briefs from the ‘What Design Can Do – Make it Circular Challenge’. Teo Yang and Prof. Francesca Valsecchi discussed how modernity and tradition can coexist through creative intervention, extensive research, and thoughtful design. At ‘Designing for a Planet-Friendly City’ Penda China drew upon inspiration from nature and incorporating biomimicry, as well as involving the ‘Design with Love’ principle in all the projects. In an eye-opening panel discussion, Dr. Fan Ling, Maggie Wong, and Fred Sheu, acknowledged that AI is being used to boost efficiency, increase data and analytic skills, stimulate innovation, and tailor customer experiences.

Attendees at KODW 2023 heard life-changing ideas and concepts at the aforementioned talks, and the many other discussions that took place over the three-day event.

Pieter van Os, Program Manager International of CIRCO and Siem Haffmans, Strategic Consultant of Partners for Innovation

Marieke Rietbergen, CEO of the renowned Design Innovation Group

Rama Gheerawo, author of Creative Leadership: Born from Design

Dr Fan Ling, Founder & CEO of Tezign.com, Maggie Wong, Wunderman Thompson Hong Kong and Fred Sheu, National Technology Officer, Microsoft Hong Kong Limited