Knowledge of Design Week 2024 introduces “Inter/Section” theme, a fusion of craftsmanship and technology in search for innovation

by Aisha Capulong

Immerse yourself in the future of design and join over 30 visionary experts from around the globe at Knowledge of Design Week 2024 in Hong Kong this June

Presented by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), and with France as a Partner Country, KODW 2024 gathers 30+ global industry experts, creatives and artisans across various disciplines for a three-day event from June 25 to 27, at the W Hong Kong and other offsite venues around the city.

Centered around the theme “Inter/Section: Crafting Tomorrow’s Design”, KODW 2024 aims to facilitate the partnerships of ideas spanning various fields. In the current interconnected global landscape, these intersections are pivotal – serving as conduits for innovation and progress in design. By merging elements of art, technology, and culture, the design world is able to transcend boundaries by sparking revolutionary concepts and new avenues for growth.

KODW acts as the leading platform for design discourse in Asia, uniting visionaries, craftsmen, and policymakers to pioneer groundbreaking notions in design innovation. Through this annual collaboration, the platform spotlights Hong Kong as a global epicenter for design – positioned as a crossroads of Eastern and Western influences.

In continuation of their inaugural partnership in 2009, France returns as the Partner Country of Business of Design Week (BODW) in 2024. France will also spearhead various design projects in Hong Kong, including the introduction of Maison&Objet – the renowned Parisian trade fair centered around product and interior design, home collections, and fashion, all as part of the upcoming “Design December” initiative. With the debut of Maison&Objet in Asia coinciding with KODW 2024, Hong Kong solidifies its position as a global hub for design, culture, commerce, and tourism.

Chairman of HKDC, Professor Eric Yim, remarks on the power of design thinking and how interdisciplines merging often unlock a myriad of new opportunities. He anticipates that the three-day KODW 2024 event will infuse fresh inspiration through the exchange of expertise and insights, and that this collective effort will catalyze the integration of design into cultural advancement and business.

As 2024 commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Sino-France diplomacy, Christile Drulhe, the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, expresses France’s pride in being the Partner Country of KODW 2024 and shows her enthusiasm for the dynamic exchanges that will take place this June.

Program highlights

With the theme of “Inter/Section: Crafting Tomorrow’s Design”, KODW 2024 convenes visionary leaders from France and across the globe to promote a compelling networking of ideas. In the opening keynote session, Nathalie Crinière, CEO of Agence NC, will delve into the international facets of design, drawing from her expertise in seamlessly blending scenography with retail and interior design. Some of her past projects include La Galerie Dior in Paris, and Cartier & Women at the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

Laurent Ungerer, having worked with the Picasso Museum and Louis Vuitton Foundation, will also share on his experience crafting a new visual identity for the Notre Dame Cathedral amid its restoration efforts. Alongside many other distinguished speakers, the lineup also features Dong Gong, an acclaimed architect exploring spatial design’s impact on the built environment, and Frank Chou, who will offer perspectives on furniture design and the fusion of Eastern and Western traditions. Dutch designer Lex Pott, who is celebrated for his innovative use of raw materials, is also set to contribute to the discourse at KODW 2024.

Other highlight events include a Networking Cocktail Reception hosted by HKDC on June 25, and the InnoDesign Leadership-Forum-cum-CEO Dinner co-hosted by HKDC and France on June 26. Designed to foster dialogue and practical applications in craftsmanship and design, hands-on workshops and interactive masterclasses will also take place with the aim of igniting creativity through experiential learning and successful case studies. These sessions will be led by trailblazers and creative luminaries from around the globe.

Insider access

For more information on KODW 2024, visit 2024.kodw.org/en.

Event tickets are available at 2024.kodw.org/en/ticketing.

Exclusive “Speaker Set” tickets grant participants the unique opportunity to directly engage and network with the distinguished speakers of KODW 2024 in person. Plus, as part of the interactive design knowledge platform bodw+, members can enjoy membership privileges like unrestricted access to the dynamic content of both KODW and BODW. The online premiere of KODW 2024 is scheduled for July 17, with bodw+ members gaining access to full recordings of the event on the bodw+ website.

Stay informed and connected with the latest developments in the global design and business spheres by joining bodw+ at bodw.com/zh-hk/membership.