Singapore - Over 700 design and business professionals from 42 countries around the world have converged in Singapre for the 26th Icsid World Design Congress themed "Design Difference, Designing Our World 2050". At this global biennial event, the delegates will get a rare chance to work with 15 leading creative thinkers to imagine a better-designed future - collaborating on ideas that could be a reality in the next 40 years.

While the challenges facing governments and business now and in the near future seem daunting, these challenges present unprecedented opportunities to develop new products, policies and solutions that can be fundamental to building a new sustainable economy. Nine of the 15 presenters have been commissioned by Design Singapore Council to lead what have been called "Design2050 Studios". Each Studio is a mini-symposia that have developed innovative design solutions for some of the most pressing challenges. A wide range of topics are covered from how urban living will be experienced in 40 year's time; to the way a future healthcare system can be built on maintaining a balanced lifestyle as opposed to responding to illness. The Congress will be the first time that the Studio Leaders - all preeminent in their specialist field of design - share their visionary thinking with a public audience.

Welcoming the speakers and delegates to Singapore, Low Cheaw Hwei, Senior Creative Director of Philips Design Singapore, and Chairman of the Singapore 2009 Organising Committee said:

"This is one of the most prestigious and important gatherings of creative thinkers ever gathered in Singapore.  We are excited that they are here to share progressive new ideas, and spread the social, economic and environmental benefits of great design. Design is often a catalyst for significant change. Through the interactive format of this Congress, the delegates can be involved in the creation of brilliant ideas, and play a vital part in shaping a better world of tomorrow."

The unique format of the Congress will go beyond the "one-to-many" speaker approach. Each day of the three-day event will include plenary presentations, interactive parallel sessions, and plenary panel discussions. The ten interactive parallel sessions will encourage interaction and collaboration between presenters and delegates. This will offer a great opportunity for the delegates to be part of these thought-provoking propositions as they are unveiled.

Accompanying the three day event will be the Congress Exhibition, where a number of well known design companies, associations and institutions will showcase their ideas and innovations.

The Icsid Design Education Conference on 22 November, was opened by Prof. Satoshi Nakagawa, CEO and founder of Tripod Design and address some of the paradigm shifts in various areas such as the global economy and the advancement of technology that will affect the future of design education.

Commenting on the Congress, Prof. Carlos Hinrichsen, Icsid President 2007-2009, said:

"In our mission to provide the industrial design community with a platform to address global design issues, the Icsid Congress has continually delivered a programme that encourages designers to take stock of existing methods and adapt these to the changing needs of the industry. I'm extremely delighted that some of the greatest minds from around the world are taking on a larger responsibility to improve our future through design. I hope that many innovative collaborations will materialise; and breakthrough ideas be born at the Congress."

More information on the Icsid World Design Congress Singapore 2009 is available at: www.icsidcongress09.com

For more information, please contact:

Grayling
Nicky Wang, Robin Williams, or Chris Davies
T: +65 6325 4606
E: ; robin.williams@sg.grayling.com;
or

Icsid
Andrea Springer
t: +1 514 448 4949 ext 232
e: aspringer@icsid.org

Design changes and improves lives, inspires creativity and new forms of expression. It also enhances business competitiveness in today's crowded marketplace. DesignSingapore Council is Singapore's response to these propositions and opportunities.
 
As a national initiative, the Council aims to place Singapore on the world map for design creativity. It looks to develop a thriving, multi-disciplinary design cluster of industries and activities in Singapore that has relevance and impact globally.
 
The initiative also aims to bring design to business boardrooms, new audiences and new markets. The DesignSingapore Council was formed in August 2003 as a department within the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, as the national agency for the promotion and development of Singapore design.
www.designsingapore.org