Spread hosts Design Open in Bengaluru

More than 50 designers, thinkers and changemakers from Bengaluru, across India and around the world gathered for ‘DREAM DESIGN DEMOCRACY’, the latest event in Spread Design and Innovation’s Design Open series.

Hosted by WDO Corporate Member Spread Design and Innovation on 9 October 2026, the event brought together diverse perspectives through an interactive programme combining workshops, presentations and open dialogue. From governance and diplomacy to democracy, innovation and complexity, the evening explored how design can help address some of today’s most pressing challenges.

The programme opened with a workshop led by WDO Board Member and Spread’s Founding Partner Sonia Manchanda, exploring the role of design in governance and how design-led approaches can bring decision-making closer to citizens while encouraging greater public participation.

Moderated by Aastha Parikh, the evening continued with a presentation by WDO President Pradyumna Vyas, who shared an international perspective on design and diplomacy, highlighting their potential to foster collaboration and address global challenges.

Lutz Dietzold, CEO of the German Design Council, followed with insights into the role of systems and structure in design, examining how these principles can inform approaches to democracy, participation and innovation.

The final session, led by Michele Straniero, offered a different perspective, exploring the intersections of complexity, culture, philosophy and design. Drawing on his background in engineering, Straniero challenged participants to consider how design can navigate uncertainty, question established systems and embrace complexity.

Throughout the evening, presentations gave way to lively discussions and informal exchanges, creating opportunities for participants to connect ideas across disciplines and perspectives.