Global creativity converges to forge tomorrow's design landscape with innovation, cultural richness, and visionary collaborations

Knowledge of Design Week (KODW) 2024 marks a monumental celebration of design, orchestrated by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) with robust backing from France as the Partner Country, alongside the Hong Kong Design Institute, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design as co-organisers, and Create Hong Kong as the Lead Sponsor. Scheduled from June 25 to 27, 2024, this event will unfold at the W Hong Kong hotel and various venues across Hong Kong.

Themed "Inter/Section: Crafting Tomorrow's Design," KODW 2024 stands as a premier gathering for over 30 global industry experts, creative leaders, and craftsmen. It aims not only to foster interdisciplinary idea exchange but also to celebrate the convergence of art, technology, culture, and innovation within design. In our interconnected world, such intersections are crucial for addressing complex global challenges with innovative solutions.

France, distinguished for its craftsmanship expertise, plays a pivotal role in KODW 2024 as the Partner Country. France brings not only its rich cultural heritage and design prowess but also an innovative vision that advocates for blending classic aesthetics with modern technology. The inclusion of Maison&Objet, the esteemed Parisian trade fair making its Asian debut in Hong Kong through the "Design December" initiative, reinforces Hong Kong's stature as a leading destination for global design, culture, and business in the Greater Bay Area.

The event showcases not only conferences and keynote sessions by industry luminaries like Nathalie Crinière, CEO of Agence NC, and Laurent Ungerer, founder and CEO of c-album, but also interactive workshops and masterclasses. Highlights include sessions such as "Crafting Meaningful Connections" by Laurent Ungerer, focusing on integrating interdisciplinary design, and "Frangrance and Hues: A Multisensory Journey" by Carole Calvez from Iris & Morphée, exploring olfactory experiences in design.

The workshop and masterclass programs provide participants with opportunities not only to learn from global pioneers but also to collaborate and ignite inspiration through successful case studies. Beyond the core events, KODW 2024 offers off-site workshops enabling deeper exploration of Hong Kong's creative landscape, such as "The Masterclass: Alan Chan's Inspiring Zensation Journey" at CVIEW, M+, and "The Secrets of Jewelry Design" at L'ECOLE Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Arts at K11 MUSEA.

More than just a forum for expanding design insights, KODW 2024 underscores Hong Kong's role as a global design hub. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, through Create Hong Kong, is committed to supporting this event as part of its strategy to enhance Hong Kong's reputation as a center for innovation, culture, and sustainability in Asia.

According to Prof. Eric Yim, Chairman of HKDC, KODW 2024 represents not just an annual event but a commitment to elevate the principles of design in Hong Kong's cultural and commercial evolution. He stresses that through cross-border and cross-disciplinary collaborations, design has the potential not only to enrich aesthetic experiences but also to address the complex challenges confronting global society today.

The partnership between France and Hong Kong in KODW 2024 also commemorates the 60th anniversary of Sino-French diplomacy, adding depth to the cultural and historical significance of the event. With the endorsement of Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, the event is expected not only to enrich cultural diversity but also to broaden the horizons of design thinking on an international scale.

Overall, Knowledge of Design Week 2024 serves not only as a platform to showcase the latest expertise and innovations in global design but also as a stage to bolster Hong Kong's involvement in the increasingly interconnected and complex global design landscape. With a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and the fusion of tradition with modern technology, the event reaffirms the significance of design as a catalyst for positive change in this rapidly evolving era.

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