{"id":5512,"date":"2024-11-19T10:30:09","date_gmt":"2024-11-19T10:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/design\/?p=5512"},"modified":"2024-11-19T10:30:09","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T10:30:09","slug":"design-for-planet-festival-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/design\/design-for-planet-festival-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Design for Planet Festival 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article was written on 15th November 2024<\/p>\n

On 6th<\/sup> November, I had the privilege of attending the Design Council<\/a>\u2019s Design for Planet Festival 2024<\/strong> 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<\/a>, Mayor of Greater Manchester; Minnie Moll<\/a>, Chief Executive of the Design Council; Professor Martyn Evans<\/a>, Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Arts & Humanities at Manchester Metropolitan University, and Kyle Soo, Partnerships & Product Manager at B Lab UK<\/a>, the charity helping raise awareness of the B Corp movement nationwide. Keynote speakers included fashion designer and The Great British Sewing Bee<\/em><\/a> judge and founder of Community Clothing<\/a>, Patrick Grant; Tanya Popeau, Director of award-winning agency, Synthesis<\/a>, and Sophie Thomas, Senior Director of the Useful Simple Trust<\/a>, who joined delegates in talks, discussions, and workshops to underline the important role designers play in generating solutions for the climate crisis.<\/p>\n

As the UK\u2019s 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<\/em><\/a> mission in 2021, the Council has aimed to support the UK\u2019s design economy in achieving net-zero targets.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>, puts it, \u201cLegacy is not leaving something behind for<\/em> other people. It\u2019s leaving something behind in<\/em> other people.\u201d<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Key takeaways from the event for me:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Leadership is everything.<\/strong> Martyn Evans, Creative Director at LandsecU+I<\/a>, a mixed-use regeneration developer, highlighted the lasting impact of great teachers. Martyn spoke of the profound influence of Anita Roddick\u2014founder of The Body Shop, human rights activist, and environmental campaigner\u2014who taught him that \u201c<\/strong>you shouldn’t go to bed at night until you’ve made the world a little better than it was when you got up.\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0This 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\u2019s reimagining of Manchester as a hub for nature and green innovation, embodied in the new transport infrastructure in Stockport<\/a>, exemplifies the vision and drive needed to achieve sustainable change in our cities and communities.<\/li>\n
  2. Creating Space for Inclusive, Thoughtful, and Sustainable Design. <\/strong>Creating a culture that values space\u2014whether for reflection, people, or nature\u2014is essential. Pete Swift, co-founder of Planit<\/a>, an urban and rural place design practice, advised \u201clearn to think at the speed of an oak tree\u201d<\/strong>, 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<\/a> championed representation of black voices, flexible workspaces, and a business model based on adaptability. Simeon Rose, Creative Director of Faith in Nature<\/a>, and Sophie Thomas, stressed environmental stewardship, with Faith in Nature\u2019s model reserving a \u201cseat at the table\u201d for nature, reminding us: \u201cNature is speaking. Are we listening?\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Be a good ancestor. <\/strong>Pete Swift again highlighted the importance of legacy, echoing Alan Moore\u2019s call to be \u201cgood ancestors\u201d by designing with future generations in mind. Moore’s The Beautiful Design Project<\/a> features Climeworks<\/a>, a Swiss company dedicated to reducing atmospheric CO\u2082 through direct air capture, exemplifying this ethos. Patrick Grant\u2019s 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.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Ultimately, as eloquently stated by strategic design studio Studio Sana<\/u><\/a>, design has the power to change hearts and minds<\/strong> \u2013 to influence values, bring people together and resonate emotionally.<\/p>\n

    For further reading, visit Design Week<\/a> or Medium<\/a> and if you’d like to view some of the inspiring talks, you can register here \ud83d\udc49 at Design for Planet 24<\/a> to access recordings until 8th December, 2024.<\/p>\n

    My personal pledge from the event<\/strong><\/p>\n