33rd World Design Assembly

Hosted by WDO Member Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP), the 33rd World Design Assembly will take place from 27-29 October 2023 in Tokyo (Japan) and will bring together leading designers, innovators and thinkers from around the world to explore the theme of Design Beyond. 

Comprising a series of international keynote presentations, workshops and breakout sessions, the three-day event will include the 2023 Research and Education Forum on 27 October, international Design Conference on 28 October and WDO’s 33rd General Assembly on 29 October (for WDO Members only). The event will also be hosted in conjunction with several local design events, including JDP’s GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2023 exhibition, which recognizes exemplary design projects across various fields.

Design Beyond

As design continues to evolve, so too do the challenges facing our world. In its growing intersection with technology, and its impact on humanity and the environment, how can design continue to be a force for good in our highly complex world? Under the banner of Design Beyond, programming for the 33rd World Design Assembly will shed new light on the evolution of design and its intersection with humanity, technology and the environment. 

In line with the event theme, the branding for this year’s World Design Assembly was developed by famed Japanese designer Masaaki Hiromura, who also designed the official pictograms for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Formed by overlapping multiple coloured surfaces, the logo symbolizes the integration of diverse knowledge within a singular ecosystem. Resembling an egg, it can be seen as a symbol of life and its rebirth.

Schedule

27 October 2023

Research & Design Education Forum

Paper presentations, poster exhibition and discussions that highlight advances in design education through the lens of Design Beyond.

Location: Chiba University

28 October 2023

Design Conference

Keynotes, workshops and breakout sessions exploring Design Beyond.

Location: Roppongi Academy Hills

29 October 2023

WDO General Assembly

*WDO Members only

Location: Roppongi Academy Hills

Discover the full programme

Venues

Chiba University 

Boasting a rich academic environment and  10 faculties and 17 graduate schools on four campuses in Chiba Prefecture and one in metropolitan Tokyo, Chiba University offers a rich and creative academic environment. The 2023 Research and Education Forum will take place at the university’s Design Research Institute on 27 October.

Roppongi Academy Hills 

Situated on the 49th floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, this conference facility was designed by famed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. It features panoramic views of Tokyo and serves as an intellectual hub for working professionals in the city. The venue will host the Design Conference on 28 October and WDO’s General Assembly on 29 October.