Business of Design Week (BODW) 2015, the annual flagship programme on design, innovation and brands in Asia presented by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), drew to a successful close after a week of thought-provoking programmes exploring business, design and cities of the future in Hong Kong and BODW's first-ever Partner City Barcelona.
A Stage for Creative Exchange
BODW 2015 welcomed an exceptional line-up of over 75 business leaders and creatives to speak on design, innovation and brands. From designers creating cultural and architectural masterpieces like the Sagrada Família; to innovators in technology and urban projects shared by Barcelona City Council; to the leading minds behind multinational brands like Coca-Cola, and Moleskine – speakers from 15 cities and countries joined together at BODW 2015 to showcase a world of inspiration and offer insight into their design and business success.
Chairman of Board of Directors, HKDC, Mr Victor Lo said, "By bringing together design masters and influential business figures, BODW is able to provide a significant platform for idea exchange in Asia, year after year. BODW 2015 has once again put Hong Kong at the heart of design in the region and offered an invaluable opportunity to network and explore creative and business cooperation."
"BODW 2015 was an exceptional experience," added artist Mr Jaume Plensa of the Plensa Studio Barcelona and a speaker at BODW 2015. "There are few other such opportunities to meet a wide range of figures from diverse professions and learn about the relevance of design to their field, be it fashion, sculpture or technology."
BODW speaker, Mr Ross Lovegrove, Industrial Designer of ROSS LOVEGROVE added, "What's unique about BODW is the calibre of the speakers and the sessions. I've had the chance to network and engage in creative exchange with world-renown designers, artists and business leaders. That kind of idea sharing is essential to charting the designs of the future and producing globally sustainable ideas."
Wrapping up 'Design. Cities. Future.'
For its 14th year, BODW encouraged designers and businesses to explore the way in which creative endeavours and co-creation can transform cities and foster entrepreneurship. BODW 2015 presented an unrivalled occasion for design personalities, creative visionaries, educators, business leaders, SMEs and the general public to exchange ideas and insights. This year's sessions included Crowdfunding & Design, IoT (Internet of Things) & Design, and core programme Brand Asia Forum bringing together world-class brand management experts from academic and business sectors to share cutting-edge knowledge in brand management and innovation. A gala dinner was held on 4 December with an entertaining programme successfully integrated Chinese drums, contemporary dance by Gelabert + Azzopardi supported by FC Barcelona and Malaysian female pop singer Sheila Amzah.
BODW 2015 also marked the event's first-ever partnership with a city – Barcelona. Community-driven and forward thinking, design and business talents from Barcelona shared their thoughts, ideas and expertise on how good design helps create cities of the future, under the BODW 2015 theme 'Design. Cities. Future.'
Rounding out the design week were BODW concurrent programmes, including:
deTour 2015, a 10-day fest celebrating creative education and fostering young talents, held this year at Central's iconic venue PMQ;
The DesignEd Asia Conference, bringing together design educators and professionals to share knowledge, views and experience;
The Business of IP Asia Forum in which business leaders from around the world came together to share their IP insight;
The annual symposium of the Global Design Network, a Hong Kong-based design promotional body supported by a strong international membership network;
InnoDesignTech Expo showcasing projects and innovations to help trading, manufacturing and service sectors enhance their capacity to supply world markets; and
The Roca One Day Design Challenge featuring over 120 local designers, all under the age of 30, who tackled the challenge of creating original solutions and innovative concepts related to the bathroom space in just one day.
Business of Design Week is co-organised by Hong Kong Trade Development Council and sponsored by Create Hong Kong. Next year, BODW will welcome Chicago as its BODW 2016 Partner City, under the theme "Chicago Made". This partnership will open exciting opportunities for idea exchange on innovative design, urban business leadership and the power of art in creating a sense of place.
