Business of Design Week 2019 preview

Business of Design Week (BODW) will once again showcase a range of talent at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Now in its 17th year, Hong Kong's highly anticipated Business of Design Week (BODW) and its satellite events, which run from December 2 to 7, wrap up the calendar year for the city's design community. During the week-long affair, organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre since 2002, high-profile speakers and industry leaders from across the globe will gather, providing a platform for business and creative leaders to exchange valuable ideas, network, and explore new business opportunities.

Details for this year's event have just been released. Once again, the conference will bring some of the world's biggest names in the design business to Hong Kong. Last year's event was held in collaboration with the city of Melbourne; this year, the United Kingdom has been named as the official partner country, under the theme 'Design is Great – Britain and Northern Ireland'. Details of the theme have yet to be released.

What we know so far about Business of Design Week 2019 

The preliminary line-up of speakers for BODW includes an impressive list of award-winning and world-renowned designers, as well as talented movers and shakers from across the industry. Among those attending will be Edward Barber, and Jay Osgerby, co-founders of London-based industrial design firm Barber & Osgerby; Thomas Heatherwick, founder of Heatherwick Studio; Patrik Schumacher, principal of Zaha Hadid Architects; Marek  Reichman, executive vice president and chief creative officer of Aston Martin Lagonda; Paul Thompson, vice chancellor of the Royal College of Art; Neville Brody, founder of Brody Associates; Nigel Carrington, vice chancellor of the University of the Arts London; Nick Mival, director of DCA Design International; Dong-Ping Wong, director of Food New York; and Laurent Boillot, founder of CHA LING.

The conference promises a great line-up across a wide range of disciplines. And if the names mentioned aren't enough, plenty more speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Other events to watch out for

Launched last year, the BODW City Programme will run simultaneously with the event. This scheme is a creative community activation programme featuring festivals and happenings in and around Wan Chai and other districts in Hong Kong. As an extension of the main BODW event, it aims to foster collaboration between local designers, businesses and brands.

Running parallel to BODW and also in the convention centre is the Hong Kong Trade Development Councils' (HKTDC) annual DesignInspire event. DesignInspire is an annual showcase for emerging global talents in design, photography, architecture and fashion. The three-day event will feature an exhibition highlighting works from BODW's partner country, as well as innovative products, experimental installations and inspiring conversations. DesignInspire 2019 will be held from December 5 to 7, its third iteration.

THIS ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED AS “BUSINESS AS USUAL", AN ARTICLE FROM THE JULY/AUGUST ISSUE OF PERSPECTIVE MAGAZINE.

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