Alex Steffen is co-founder and executive editor of Worldchanging.com, a global non-profit media collaborative dedicated to exploring tools, models, and ideas for building a better future.

Paul Priestman is the founding director of Priestman Goode, an internationally renowned multidisciplinary design studio. Iconic products designed by Priestman Goode have become best-selling design classics, entering the public psyche around the world.

Nkhensani Nkosi is one of the new voices from Africa: fashion designer, entrepreneur, television personality and lauded actress. Her distinctive Stoned Cherrie fashion label was born when Nkosi recognised that the urban energy that exists on the continent was not being branded and packaged into products.

Prof Neil Gershenfeld is the director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s Centre for Bits and Atoms. His unique laboratory investigates the relationship between the content of information and its physical representation, from molecular quantum computers to virtuosic musical instruments.

Stefan Sagmeister formed the New York based Sagmeister Inc in 1993 and has since designed for clients as diverse as the Rolling Stones, HBO, and the Guggenheim Museum. Having been nominated five times for the Grammies he finally won one for the Talking Heads boxed set.

Product designer Inga Sempé graduated in 1993 from de I'ENSCI les Ateliers in Paris, France. While studying she received a scholarship at George Sowden's studio in Milan and after graduating went to work as a designer at Marc Newson's studio in Paris.

Geraldine Fenn is a South African jeweller who received her national higher certificate in jewellery design and manufacture from the Natal Technikon in 1998. She also has qualifications in archaeology, classics, art history and fine art from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Li Edelkoort is a trend forecaster, educator, curator and publisher based in Paris. She has fostered design’s creative talent as chairwoman of the Design Academy Eindhoven between 1998 and 2008.

Marcel Wanders grew up in Boxtel, the Netherlands, and graduated cum laude from the School of the Arts Arnhem (now ArtEZ Institute of the Arts) in 1988. He became world-renowned for his iconic Knotted Chair, which he produced for Droog Design in 1996. His work is now ubiquitous as he designs for leading contemporary labels and is both founder and art director of Moooi.

Marian Bantjes has been variously described as a typographer, designer, artist and writer. Working from her base on a small island off the west coast of Canada, her personal, obsessive and sometimes strange graphic work has brought her international recognition.

Bruce Mau is a critical thinker, visionary and voice in our modern world. Igniting revolution within industries ranging from corporate and technological to urban and environmental, Mau uses design and his own optimism as primary vehicles for positive change.