The Changing Role and Challenges of Design
September 22-28, 2005
Copenhagen, Oslo, Gothenburg, Helsinki

From the moment of its conception, Era 05: World Design Congress was a practical example of how a major undertaking can benefit through cooperative efforts. Individuals and organizations can, indeed, work towards a common goal, putting aside personal affinities and opinions. Cooperation does not by any means need to be hindered by national borders or professional affiliations.

Every two years the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda), the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) and the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) hold a congress followed closely by their general assemblies. The events, hosted by one of the member societies, are intended to focus on current design issues, as well as future direction. A congress acts as an international platform for designers from around the world to establish personal contacts, to discuss joint problems and to form the basis for future collaboration.

Every third time - i.e. every 6th year - these congresses are held jointly for all three international memberships. These joint congresses serve many purposes, amongst which are to increase the scale of any single congress and to allow societies with cross-memberships to take part in more than just one event. Most importantly, these joint congresses effectively promote efforts across design disciplines.

A professional congress

Era 05: World Design Congress was a professional event geared towards the memberships of major international organizations within communications design, industrial design and interior design and architecture. The event attracted creative minds and decision-makers from the design community as well as certain external key interests, including business managers, politicians and social scientists.

A pan-Nordic cooperative

Era 05: World Design Congress was a pan-Nordic event representing a major milestone in the ongoing cooperative efforts between leading design organizations in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The event was a model for future regional initiatives within design, as well as other industries.

An early step

Era 05: World Design Congress explored the challenges that face design and designers in the new era, where personal and organizational behavior and ambitions change rapidly. The event was a forum for debate on the commercial and social impact that design and designers have within a cross-disciplinary framework. The focus was on providing inspiration for action rather than concrete solutions. And the congress was, therefore, seen as an early step in a long-term process of change.

A problem-solving process

Design is not simply about form, function or aesthetics, but also describes a rational problem-solving process. This often requires a creative approach to best serve the end-user and improve life quality. Design is universally applicable, but must be adaptable to specific situations, addressing concrete local, regional, national or global issues.

A creative force

A designer – regardless of training - is a creative force that can provide unique insight to multi-disciplinary relations, having an influence on work processes that lead to a sustainable balance between commercial and social interests.

Era 05: World Design Congress was built upon the ideal that design and designers, as a creative force are an integral part in helping to address the challenges we face in the new era and to cope with a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. There is no pre-described role for design and designers, but clearly a process of growth and understanding needs to be fueled by establishing a forum for discussion and debate. The entire congress program – be it social or professional – was developed to provide a positive sharing experience and promote one central conviction:

We believe that design in the new era will influence the evolution of society, where focus will be on the quality of life for all, unrestricted by geographic, ethnic or economical boundaries.

Each year Denmark’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts educates qualified designers – each helps to bring new life to the nation’s, the region’s and the world’s design. To graduate, candidates must develop a comprehensive design concept. Seven recent graduates exhibited their final projects.