Design for Planet Festival 2024

This article was written on 15th November 2024

On 6^th November, I had the privilege of attending the Design Council’s Design for Planet Festival 2024 in Manchester, where designers, studios, and businesses came together with the aim of working towards a net-zero future. The event was opened by inspiring leaders including Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester; Minnie Moll, Chief Executive of the Design Council; Professor Martyn Evans, Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Arts & Humanities at Manchester Metropolitan University, and Kyle Soo, Partnerships & Product Manager at B Lab UK, the charity helping raise awareness of the B Corp movement nationwide. Keynote speakers included fashion designer and The Great British Sewing Bee judge and founder of Community Clothing, Patrick Grant; Tanya Popeau, Director of award-winning agency, Synthesis, and Sophie Thomas, Senior Director of the Useful Simple Trust, who joined delegates in talks, discussions, and workshops to underline the important role designers play in generating solutions for the climate crisis.

As the UK’s national advisor on Design, the Design Council champions the role of design in improving lives. Established by Royal Charter, this independent, non-profit organisation works across sectors, shaping policy and providing resources to promote sustainable design. Since launching the Design for Planet mission in 2021, the Council has aimed to support the UK’s design economy in achieving net-zero targets.

At the event, what resonated most strongly with me were the stories and insights shared around the theme of design’s enduring impact and legacy. As crisis strategy expert, Peter Strople, puts it, “Legacy is not leaving something behind for other people. It’s leaving something behind in other people.” This quote beautifully captures how design can instil values, inspire action, and create meaningful change that transcends physical products, fostering a culture of responsibility and purpose in others.

Key takeaways from the event for me:

1. Leadership is everything. Martyn Evans, Creative Director at LandsecU+I, a mixed-use regeneration developer, highlighted the lasting impact of great teachers. Martyn spoke of the profound influence of Anita Roddick—founder of The Body Shop, human rights activist, and environmental campaigner—who taught him that “you shouldn’t go to bed at night until you’ve made the world a little better than it was when you got up.” This guiding principle, shared by Richard Upton and echoed by Minnie Moll, shows how moral and values-driven leadership can make a lasting impact. Andy Burnham’s reimagining of Manchester as a hub for nature and green innovation, embodied in the new transport infrastructure in Stockport, exemplifies the vision and drive needed to achieve sustainable change in our cities and communities.
2. Creating Space for Inclusive, Thoughtful, and Sustainable Design. Creating a culture that values space—whether for reflection, people, or nature—is essential. Pete Swift, co-founder of Planit, an urban and rural place design practice, advised “learn to think at the speed of an oak tree”, emphasising thoughtful, lasting impact. It was refreshing to see new mother, Cat Drew, and her baby in the networking space. Their warm welcome underscored how small inclusivity gestures can drive change. Leaders like Efia Mainoo, of BlackOwned Studios championed representation of black voices, flexible workspaces, and a business model based on adaptability. Simeon Rose, Creative Director of Faith in Nature, and Sophie Thomas, stressed environmental stewardship, with Faith in Nature’s model reserving a “seat at the table” for nature, reminding us: “Nature is speaking. Are we listening?”
3. Be a good ancestor. Pete Swift again highlighted the importance of legacy, echoing Alan Moore’s call to be “good ancestors” by designing with future generations in mind. Moore’s The Beautiful Design Project features Climeworks, a Swiss company dedicated to reducing atmospheric CO₂ through direct air capture, exemplifying this ethos. Patrick Grant’s call to action was also future-focused, advocating for teaching children craftsmanship to foster an appreciation for quality and durability, helping them grow as conscious, environmentally mindful consumers.

Ultimately, as eloquently stated by strategic design studio Studio Sana, design has the power to change hearts and minds – to influence values, bring people together and resonate emotionally.

For further reading, visit Design Week or Medium and if you’d like to view some of the inspiring talks, you can register here 👉 at Design for Planet 24 to access recordings until 8th December, 2024.

My personal pledge from the event

• Develop Leadership for Future Design Innovators. I commit to strengthening my own leadership skills and fostering leadership in others to support the growth of emerging design educators, researchers, and practitioners. Inspired by Antonia Arbova’s insights at the Northern Design Festival, I aim to nurture new talent and cultivate a thriving community of future innovators.
• Advance Inclusivity in Design. I pledge to promote inclusivity by celebrating influential female leaders, integrating nature into design narratives, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Across my work in design education, research, and practice, I will strive to create environments where diverse perspectives can flourish.
• Champion Craft in Education. I will advocate for the integration of craft skills in schools and actively build connections with those fostering these skills in children. Drawing on my creative and arts practitioner background, and teaching experience at various levels, I will weave craft and design opportunities into outreach initiatives and collaborative projects with schools with the aim of inspiring the next generation.

What’s next?

From 9-10 September 2025, the Design Council is set to host the World Design Congress, London, further driving sustainable design. You can sign up for the World Design Congress newsletter here. I do hope to see you there for what promises to be a catalytic moment in driving the sector towards designing for planet. What might your pledge be?

References and Further Reading:

Grant, P. (2024). Less. London: HarperCollins Publishers.

Moore, A. (2023). The Beautiful Design Project – What Does it Mean to be a Beautiful Business? 19^th May, 2023 Available at: Alan Moore, The Beautiful Design Project – what does it mean to be a beautiful business? [Accessed: 11^th November 24].

Roddick, A. (1994). Body and Soul – How to Succeed in Business and Change the World. Three Rivers Press.

The audience at the Design for Planet festival in Manchester (2024). [Online image]. Available at: Seven Takeaways: The Design for Planet festival – Design Week. [Accessed: 11th November 2024].