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Conference Talks

Watch the full talks from Design Indaba's world-renowned 24-year Conference in this archive of videos going back to 2006.

From our archives: Michael Bierut on how to think like a designer
Conference Talks • Design Indaba Conference 2015 • Duration 00:39:15
Michael Bierut runs us through some of his major projects and the thought processes behind them: a rare opportunity to get into his award-winning mind.
  • Daan Roosegaarde at Design Indaba Conference 2013. 00:30:44
    Daan Roosegaarde on creating techno poetry
    Interaction Design
    “I’m a hippie with a business plan”, says artist and innovator Daan Roosegaarde on his approach to design, making what he calls “techno poetry”.
    Design Indaba Conference 2013
  • Alex Chen at Design Indaba Conference. 00:33:32
    Alex Chen on the possibilities of a line
    Music & Sound Design
    Combining his love of music, drawing and coding, Alex Chen creates interactive works that turn chaotic things into something beautiful and charming.
    Design Indaba Conference 2013
  • Masashi Kawamura at Design Indaba Conference 2013. 00:34:29
    Masashi Kawamura on doing different things with technology
    Film & Animation
    “By making things differently you’ll get something different (no duh)”. Masashi Kawamura explains how this approach informs his creative work.
    Design Indaba Conference 2013
  • 00:39:29
    Jeanne van Heeswijk on community development by co-production
    Design Activism / Urban & Landscape Design
    Jeanne van Heeswijk believes that "radicalising the local" is one of the most important things in the effort to develop communities.
    Design Indaba Conference 2013
  • Brynjar Sigurðarson on the relationship between objects and stories 00:05:36
    Brynjar Sigurðarson on the relationship between objects and stories
    Product Design
    The Design Indaba #GlobalGrad alumnus has been awarded with the Torsten and Wanja Söderberg Prize 2018.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Porky Hefer on turning something negative into something positive 00:21:53
    Porky Hefer on turning something negative into something positive
    Design Thinking
    Designer and brand interventionist Porky Hefer’s mission is to encourage people to be inspired to get up and change things.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Sputniko! at Design Indaba 2012 00:08:25
    Sputniko! on designing objects that trigger debate and discussion
    Fashion & Jewellery Design / Interaction Design / Music & Sound Design / Product Design
    "I'm kind of a pop personality", says Sputniko! Find out why...
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Carlo Ratti & Assaf Biderman at Design Indaba 2012 00:35:18
    Carlo Ratti & Assaf Biderman on how cities communicate through digital technologies
    Information Design / Interaction Design / Product Design
    Carlo Ratti and Assaf Biderman explore the way objects can communicate and tell unexpected stories.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Sissel Tolaas on discovering the world from the perspective of the nose 00:30:27
    Sissel Tolaas on discovering the world from the perspective of the nose
    Information Design / Interaction Design
    “I collected smells instead of writing a diary”, says Sissel Tolaas. Find out how this helped her discover her surroundings through smell.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Andrew Shoben on public artworks that increase Gross Domestic Happiness 00:34:49
    Andrew Shoben on public artworks that increase Gross Domestic Happiness
    Urban & Landscape Design
    Andrew Shoben creates public artworks that encourage involvement from the public and ensure a lot of enjoyment.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Tonic on form, texture and materials in furniture design 00:22:51
    Tonic on form, texture and materials in furniture design
    Architecture & Interiors / Product Design
    Tonic Design creates timeless products, which celebrate beauty through intricate detail.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Massoud Hassani on designing from Afghan influence 00:13:09
    Massoud Hassani on designing from Afghan influence
    Product Design
    Massoud Hassani’s Afghan heritage has a significant influence on his designs, from a kitchenware range to a wind-powered device that clears landmines.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • René Redzepi on creating the world's best restaurant 00:29:57
    René Redzepi on creating the world's best restaurant
    Food Design
    René Redzepi designs dishes that enable people to experience a clear sense of time and place.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Dan Pearson on immersive spaces in landscape design 00:38:47
    Dan Pearson on immersive spaces in landscape design
    Urban & Landscape Design
    Dan Pearson’s work in landscape design aims to encourage people to engage with spaces in more interesting ways.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Andy Chen on an inside-out process to social design 00:10:33
    Andy Chen on an inside-out process to social design
    Graphic Design & Illustration / Product Design
    For Andy Chen, design should be used to build empathy and to bring about social change.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Piet Hein Eek on respecting material, technique and craftsmanship 00:34:47
    Piet Hein Eek on respecting material, technique and craftsmanship
    Product Design
    Piet Hein Eek is devoted to creating products with a special attention to detail and quality.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • John Bielenberg on why thinking wrong is right 00:30:28
    John Bielenberg on why thinking wrong is right
    Design Activism / Design Thinking
    John Bielenberg believes in thinking wrong to do right. Here he discusses his projects that drive positive change.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Eddie Opara on creating three-dimensional designs 00:44:00
    Eddie Opara on creating three-dimensional designs
    Graphic Design & Illustration
    Eddie Opara believes that a sense of identity is the most important thing one can hold on to.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Mathieu Lehanneur on designing for today 00:45:17
    Mathieu Lehanneur on designing for today
    Industrial Design / Product Design
    Mathieu Lehanneur believes that each project needs to start with a question and not with a brief.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Rahim Bhimani on solving problems with design and business skills 00:11:20
    Rahim Bhimani on problem-solving with design and business skills
    Industrial Design
    Industrial designer and design strategist Rahim Bhimani is passionate about problem solving.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Hellicar & Lewis on interaction design, systems and digital technology 00:37:48
    Hellicar & Lewis on interaction design, systems and digital technology
    Interaction Design / Music & Sound Design
    Hellicar & Lewis are dedicated to making experiences that create memories.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • FoxP2 on how the fields of commerce and creativity intersect 00:30:37
    FoxP2 on how the fields of commerce and creativity intersect
    Creative Economy / Graphic Design & Illustration
    FoxP2 reveal their seven key principles for succeeding in a creative business – using Star Wars as inspiration.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Akshat Verma on breaking rules and expectations when writing for the screen 00:45:50
    Akshat Verma on breaking rules and expectations when writing for the screen
    Film & Animation
    Akshat Verma reveals how his work is shaped by his raw experiences, as well as influences from various cultures.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Paul Sahre on designing what you want 00:38:23
    Paul Sahre on designing what you want
    Graphic Design & Illustration
    “Nothing interesting happens when you know where you’re going with something”, Paul Sahre believes.
    Design Indaba Conference 2012
  • Daan Roosegaarde at Design Indaba Conference 2013. 00:30:44
    Daan Roosegaarde on creating techno poetry
    Interaction Design
    “I’m a hippie with a business plan”, says artist and innovator Daan Roosegaarde on his approach to design, making what he calls “techno poetry”.
    Design Indaba Conference 2013

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