Visit Hong Kong and discover the future of design, at KODW 2023 this June

The industry is changing fast, and Hong Kong's Knowledge of Design Week will help you stay at the cutting edge. Plus, Creative Boom readers can get 50% off their tickets. Read on to find out more.

Written By: Tom May

5 June 2023

It's been a while since most of us attended an in-person design event, with all the learning and networking opportunities it offers. So it's high time to put that right. And an amazing conference in mid-June offers the perfect opportunity to get your head back in the game.

While a lot of design events can be a little...fuzzy in their approach, this one certainly isn't. Organised by Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), Knowledge of Design Week (KODW) is laser-focused on helping attendees adapt to a rapidly changing industry. This respected event, which has been running since 2006, brings together over 40 business and creative leaders from around the world to explore and inspire smart design solutions for a sustainable future through forums, workshops, masterclasses, networking events, and more.

Plus, it's in Hong Kong! This jewel in Asia's crown is a must-visit if you've never been before. And even if you've been here 100 times, there are always new cool new places springing up in this vibrant and dynamic city: check out our local's guide to 24 hours in Hong Kong for ideas of how to enjoy your stay.

That said, you won't have to go far to experience the unique culture of Hong Kong because the conference itself takes place within the Hong Kong Palace Museum, one of Asia's major landmarks, from Wednesday 14 June to Friday 16 June 2023.

All that would be reason enough to attend. But here's one more: Creative Boom readers can get an incredible 50% off their ticket using the promo code KODWBOOM50. Read on to learn more about this brilliant event.

KODW 2023: What's on

Taking place at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Auditorium at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, KODW brings together nearly 30 face-to-face forums, networking events, workshops and masterclasses led by business leaders and creative forces from around the world in fields spanning design, architecture, academic, hospitality, digital media, AI and tech.

Over 15 forum sessions in KODW 2023 will resume 100% in-person, offering a truly interactive and personal experience

KODW 2023 will host 11 workshops and masterclasses led by pioneers from the Partner Country, the Netherlands, and other local and global creative leaders

Under the theme 'The Power of Design: Innovating for a Circular World', the three-day event on design, innovations and brands will explore innovative practices in design and business with the aim to create a more sustainable future. There are six programme pillars:

Social Innovation & Wellness
Culture & the City
New Urban Models
Transformative Brands
Hospitality Design
AI & Technology

Topics will range from circular design principles and methodologies, holistic solutions for sustainable urban development to brand rejuvenation, creative leadership, healthy consumerism and leveraging the power of AI and technology in urban and cultural storytelling.

The star-studded line-up of speakers includes d’strict’s L. J. Kim, Teo Yang Studio's Teo Yang, BLINK DESIGN's Clint Nagata, UNStudio (HK)’s Garett Hwang, pill & pillow's Henry Chu, Microsoft Hong Kong’s Fred Sheu, to name but a few.

There'll also be plenty of Meet-The-Speaker sessions throughout, an evening business networking reception co-hosted by HKDC, BrandHK and InvestHK on 14 June, and an InnoDesign Leadership Forum-cum-CEO Dinner co-hosted by HKDC, the Netherlands and Creative NL on 15 June at Regent Hong Kong.

Richard van der Laken from What Design Can Do believes design can have a significant impact on consumer behaviours, business strategies, policymaking and planetary health. Photo Credit: What Design Can Do

Sustainable design in buildings is united with responsible considerations for experience and functionality these days. Photo Credit: UNStudio Lyric Theatre Hong Kong © UNStudio & © DBOX

KODW is known for hosting curated series of workshops and masterclasses to advance knowledge in design and innovations. This year, the series is led by pioneers from the Netherlands, KODW's partner country. They will be joined by creative leaders based in Hong Kong, mainland China and the UK. They include:

The Netherlands

Richard van der Laken, Co-founder & Creative Director, What Design Can Do
Pieter van Os, Program Manager International, CIRCO
Siem Haffmans, Strategic Consultant Circular Economy, Partners for Innovation
Dr Peter Joore, Professor Open Innovation, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
Ir Marijke Idema, Research Fellow & Design Coach, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Marieke Rietbergen, CEO, Design Innovation Group

Mainland China

Dr Fan Ling, Founder & CEO, Tezign.com
Sun Dayong, Founder & Chief Architect, Penda China

The UK

Rama Gheerawo, Director, The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art

Hong Kong

Roger Proeis, Co-founder & President, Votion Studios
Stepan Angus Gudev, Designer, Lasvit, Hong Kong-based Czech glass designer
Lukas Kozubik, Managing Director, PRECIOSA Lighting (Hong Kong) from The Czech Republic

You can check out the full programme here.

L. J. Kim from d’strict will spark a conversation on the power of innovative cultural storytelling to engage with local communities and democratise art experiences on a global scale. Photo Credit: ARTE MUSEUM – GANGNEUNG FOREST (2021) © d'strict

Get your tickets now

A range of ticket options are on offer to fit into your busy schedule. You can either opt for a Full Pass, which is a one-day, premium and VIP pass, or Speaker Set, which includes one-day forum and one workshop.

With all of these options, you'll also get in-person networking opportunities with global speakers, unlimited access to on-demand contents from the event, and one-year bodw+ membership. Don't forget to apply the Creative Boom 50% discount. (That code again is KODWBOOM50).

Learn more about KODW 2023 at the event website.