Auckland Design Week’s Design Conference is set to take place on Thursday 6th March 2025, with an notable line-up of thought leaders and innovators from the design world. Headlining the conference, hosted in Mt Eden, Auckland, is internationally renowned design visionary, Karim Rashid, who will deliver the keynote address, The Future of Design, presented by Lexus.

In his talk, Rashid will share his transformative vision of a future where technology, creativity and humanity intertwine to craft seamless, inspiring experiences. Rashid will explore how the world can navigate the digital age, evolving to shape meaningful human interactions and elevate everyday life.

The conference features a busy program with highlights including:

Beautiful Business: Why Good Design is Key to Business Success

It’s B-Corp Month in March and ADW will be celebrating that with a special panel featuring B-Corp-certified entrepreneurs – including Amanda Niu, co-founder of sustainable furniture and homewares brand, Eva and Deadly Ponies co-founder Steve Boyd – who have leveraged design to drive their business success. This session will explore the pivotal role of design in building strong, resonant brands that align with sustainability and social responsibility.

Design and Identity: Healing through Indigenous Knowledge and Ritual

How can design heal? Warren & Mahoney’s Te Ari Prendergast explores this question by examining the role of healing, ritual and knowledge in design. From restoring mātauranga Māori to integrating Indigenous practices with modern technologies, this talk highlights how design can mend past injustices, restore connections to the land, and revitalise cultural traditions. Drawing parallels with Indigenous approaches worldwide, including Australia, Japan and South America, Te Ari shares how design processes can heal not only communities but also the designers themselves, creating a foundation for a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Beyond AI: Designing with Emerging Technologies

An exploration of groundbreaking tools such as 3D printing, VR, AR, robotics and more, this panel delves into how these technologies are revolutionising the design process. Industry experts Matt Watkins (Special Studio), William Harbidge (JPA Design), Martin Varney (MAKE Architects) and Rui Peng (Critical) will discuss the unexpected benefits, sustainability impacts and global reach these tools enable.

Balancing Risk & Reward: Ethics, Cybersecurity, and Emerging Technologies
Presented by Flight Coffee

Addressing the ethical complexities of adopting new technologies in design, this session features Dr. Sarah Elsie Baker (Media Design School), Anthony Cooke (Clyde & Co LLP), Frances Valintine (academyEX) and Heath Waugh (Matter Studio). The panel will tackle issues such as intellectual property, cybersecurity risks and the responsible integration of automation into the creative process.

Designing Futures: Women Shaping Innovation Through Technology
Presented by Fisher & Paykel

Highlighting the contributions of female leaders in architecture and interiors, graphics and advertising, film and animation, and industrial and product design, this panel brings together Laura Heynike (Pocketspace Interiors), Laura Cibilich (RUN Aotearoa), Jennifer Michtavy (HyperCinema) and Lauren Palmer (Fisher & Paykel). Discussions will focus on the interplay of creativity and AI, the ethical use of automation and practical strategies for designers to embrace innovation and shape the future of their industries.

Related: WAM’s brand refresh

The day will culminate with the ‘Lexus Evening Soirée’ featuring special guest Karim Rashid. Tickets and corporate tables for the conference are available at aucklanddesignweek.com.

Auckland Design Week
aucklanddesignweek.com

Photography
Luke FM

A recent project by WAM in Auckland, Advieh restaurant