What happens when you bring together a group of brilliant designers, a sky-high list of expectations, and a conference program that’s already buzzing with potential? You get a Design Matters board meeting, equal parts strategy session, group therapy, and design appreciation-fest.
This month, the Design Matters board gathered in person to realign, recalibrate, and re-excite ourselves about what’s to come. And let’s just say, it’s coming in hot.
Themes the Matter (Obviously)
First up, the themes. We revisited the four conference themes we lovingly shaped with the design community earlier this year, and yes, they still felt sharp, relevant, and oh-so-Design-Matters.
Steps Forward: Design leadership, decision-making, and knowing when to take the damn seat at the table.
Design Rehab: A loving intervention for an industry that needs to slow down, clean up, and heal.
Equipping for New Craft: Tools, tech, and the ever-evolving skills needed to stay prepared and relevant.
Design in Democracy: Because design is political, and it’s time we acted like it.
The board agreed, these themes still hit. And more importantly, they’re giving shape to a conference that’s equal parts deep thinking, tangible learning, and future-looking optimism.
The Cinematic Reveal
Now, for the big news. The board’s faces lit up when we announced that Design Matters 25 will take place at Cinemateket, Copenhagen’s beloved film house and iconic cultural landmark. From the intimate theatre rooms to the rooftop terrace and open-air cinema (just imagine being under the June sky), Cinemateket is a dream venue, not just aesthetically but atmospherically. It’s the kind of magical place where stories are told, ideas are projected, and (spoiler alert) popcorn flows freely.
We are thrilled that the board agrees with us, and sees the magic of this unconventional venue. Not just for the beautiful visuals but for curating deeper, more immersive experiences. Design has always been about storytelling. So what better place to host this year’s most pressing design conversations than a space literally built for it?
Lining Up the Line-Up
Of course, you can’t have themes without people to bring them to life. So we dove into how the line-up is taking shape, how the speakers map to the themes, and the program as a whole.
Without spoiling too much, it is going to be a well-balanced mix of the cerebral, the practical, and the pleasantly surprising.
At Design Matters 25, our line-up isn’t just a roster, it’s a carefully orchestrated ensemble of voices, perspectives, and experiences that reflect the chosen themes and the dynamic landscape of digital design.
This year, our program features many more women than men. To be honest this was not deliberate, but an outcome of judging the presented work, storytelling ability, and important theme synergy. We must truly be gender-blind, emphasizing that our inclusivity is true.
Our line-up also boasts a stronger European presence than in previous years, enriching our discussions with a tapestry of cultural insights and regional expertise. This continental flair not only broadens our perspectives but also deepens our understanding of design’s impact across different contexts.
A Glimpse into the Program
Can’t wait? Take a peek into the Design Matters 25 program. The sessions that await you:
Talks, Engage with industry leaders as they share their journeys, challenges, and visions for the future of design.Workshops, Participate in hands-on sessions that will equip you with new tools and methodologies to enhance your craft.Evening Events, Unwind and connect with fellow attendees during our curated evening programs, designed to foster community and collaboration.
Falling into Place
We left the board meeting aligned, energized, and just a little starry-eyed about what we’re building together. The venue is locked. The themes are strong. And the momentum? It’s very, very real.
Now we build. Now we plan. Now we get giddy every time we walk past Cinemateket and imagine what it’ll look like filled with designers from around the world, gathered to share ideas, ask better questions, and maybe sneak off for a rooftop chat with popcorn in hand.
Because Design Matters 25 isn’t just another design conference. It’s where bold questions meet bold people. Where design steps up, slows down, gets real, and dreams a little bigger. And this year, it’s doing all that from a velvet cinematic seat.
See you in June?
