WDT 2020: Design@ A Post-Pandemic World
23 November 2020
The Coronavirus pandemic struck the world in such an unexpected way in 2020. It proved to not only threaten our health but also impacted global wellness and the economy on a scale we had never seen. The world changed in almost every way since we first heard the words ‘COVID-19’ and its impact will remain for a long time, potentially forever changing the way we work and live. As an organization dedicated to making the world a better place with through the power and positive impact of industrial design, WDO, its Board of Directors and Members have contributed insightful thoughts and valuable practices in this World Design Talks: Design @ Post-Pandemic World demonstrating the emerging roles of design in the face of such change and challenge.
2020 also marks the 10th anniversary of Shanghai’s designation by UNESCO’s as a City of Design. Tongji University and WDO, hosted this year World Design Talks in Shanghai on 23 November 2020 in a hybrid format, welcoming individuals in person and online to participate in a series of keynote presentations and workshops.
It was the first time in WDT history that an international forum took place online and onsite, blending the participant experiences. We counted 129 online and onsite participants from 17 countries, and 49 online and onsite participants for the workshops. Thanks to six WDO Board Members for joining us online, and thanks to the representatives from six Chinese WDO Members who attended onsite.