New Talks Programme at designjunction

With only a few days to go, the anticipated designjunction not only presents hundreds of product launches, immersive installations, pop-up shops, plus the many food and drink options to choose from, the show also welcomes an exciting new talks programme. Designed to inspire, engage and provoke, the talks will take place at the nearby co-working space The Office Group (TOG) in King’s Cross.

The two-day programme (Thursday 21 - Friday 22 September) offers a series of lively discussions and debates with high profile designers and creative brands including Sir Kenneth Grange; Julio Terra (Kickstarter); Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead (2LG Studio); Deyan Sudjic (Design Museum) and Tina Norden (Conran and Partners). Encompassing 14 sessions, each talk aims to engage on topical issues around the show’s theme of ‘Where Design Meets’, exploring how design encounters different sub-topics including Where Design Meets… Home, Workspace, Materials, King’s Cross, Architecture and many more.

To view the full talks programme and to book tickets at £6 per talk visit:

Thursday 21 September

11:00-11:50
Where Design Meets Architecture
Speaker: Arthur Mamou-Mani

Kicking off the talks programme, a CPD session with RIBA and renowned architect Arthur Mamou-Mani who will share his knowledge of running an innovative architectural practice, providing insight into how architects can use their design skills to diversify their business model.

12:00-12:50
Where Design Meets Home
Chair: Claudia Baillie, design and interiors journalist Speakers: Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead from 2LG Studio; designer Daniel Schofield; and Jemma Ooi, Director at Custhom

For those looking for interior design inspiration, this discussion discovers the secrets of turning a house into a bespoke home.

13.00-13.50
Where Design Meets Finland, presented by Iittala
Chair: Suzanne Trocmé, British designer, curator and author Speaker: Jeremiah Tesolin, Creative Director of Iittala; Marianne Goebl, Managing Director of Artek; Sanna Annukka, Printmaker and Textile Designer for brands including Marikmekko; and Charlotte Fiell, design historian and writer

With Finland marking its centenary as an independent state this year, Iittala presents a talk exploring how design has been at the forefront of Finland’s identity over the last 100 years, and looks to the future of Nordic Design.

14:00-14:50
Where Design Meets Materials
Chair: Tina Norden, Director at Conran and Partners Speakers: Seetal Solanki, Founder and Director of Ma-tt-er; designer Laetitia de Allegri; and Ido Garini of Studio Appétit

This discussion explores the diversity of materials and how design practices and research studios are experimenting with both technique and approach to design, from multi-sensory experiences to longevity of materials.

15:00-15:50
Where Design Meets Digital
Chair: Kati Price, Head of Digital Media Department at V&A Museum Speakers: Rose Etherington, Editor-in-Chief at Clippings; Julio Terra, Director of Design and Technology at Kickstarter; Kristian Snorre Andersen, CEO of Adorno; and Design Blogger and Content Creator Sarah Akwisombe

Looking at the ways digital platforms are changing the way we consume, design and support the creative industries. The panel will explore the ways in which platforms including Kickstarter and Clippings will evolve over the next ten years for both designers and consumers. 16:00-16:50 Where Design Meets Workspace Chair: Mark Eltringham, Editor of Workplace Insight Magazine Speakers: Charlie Green Co-CEO of The Office Group (TOG); Tom Lloyd, Director at PearsonLloyd; Jo Berryman, Creative Director of Jo Berryman Studio; and Chris Moriarty, Managing Director at Leesman Presented by TOG, this session looks into designing for the workspace, how furniture and interior designers need to adapt when designing for this space, whilst looking into the challenges that might be encountered along the way.

17:00-18:00
Where Design Meets Approach
Chair: Deyan Sudjic, Director at the Design Museum Speakers: Rodney Kinsman RDI, Design Director and Founder of OMK; and Sir Kenneth Grange, Britain’s leading product designer for the likes of the London black cab, Parker pens, Kodak cameras and more

Join this prestigious panel for an insight into the lives and works of Rodney Kinsman RDI and Sir Kenneth Grange and how they have approached their work over the years.

Friday 22 September

11:00-11:50
Where Design Meets King’s Cross
Chair: Johnny Tucker, Editor of Blueprint Speakers: Robert Evans, Partner at Argent; Eric Parry, award-winning architect; Sally Mackereth, Principal at Studio Mackereth; Lisa Finlay, Group Leader for Coal Drops Yard; and Jonathan Tuckey, Director at Jonathan Tuckey Design, one of the UK’s leading advocates for remodelling and radically transforming old buildings for modern uses

King’s Cross, the new Creative Quarter for London, forms the basis of this talk. The panel discusses the most significant recent development in the city, and draws on the expertise of the different companies that have made an impact within the area.

12:00-12:50
Where Design Meets Discipline
Chair: Patrick Burgoyne, Editor at Creative Review Speakers: Gokhan Avcioglu, Principal and Founder of the GAD Foundation; Mark Eley, Co-founder of Eley Kishimoto; and Koray Malhan, Brand and Design Director of Koleksiyon

A cross-disciplinary debate across architecture, graphics, product, print and art and how concept, approach and method change through different perspectives.

13:00-13:50
Where Design Meets Education
Chair: Sarah Dawood, Deputy Editor at Design Week Speakers: Daniel Charny, Director of From Now On and Fixperts; Matias Shortcook, Associate Dean of Pre-Degree at Plymouth College of Art; and Sorrel Hershberg, Director at The Saturday Club Trust

Design Week presents a panel discussion on education and how bringing together creativity and science can provide a fulfilling and rounded learning experience. The panel will talk about their roles, Government focus and the concept of putting the creativity of “A” into STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths).

14:00-14:50
Where Design Meets Care
Speakers: Laura Lee, Chief Executive of Maggie’s; and Alex de Rijke of architecture practice dRMM

Charity Maggie’s has a network of 21 unique cancer care centres providing practical and emotional support for those living with cancer. Architecture practice, dRMM is responsible for the latest design of Maggie’s centre in Oldham. This discussion will explore the idea of creating a sanctuary with the use of specific materials as part of a bigger design intention, helping to reverse the norms of hospital architecture. All proceeds from this Talk will be donated to Maggie’s.

16:00-16:50
Where Design Meets London presented by NLA
Chair: Catherine Staniland, Director at NLA Speakers: Julian Maynard, Director of Maynard; Further speakers TBA

New London Architecture explores how new design concepts and smart ideas are transforming London’s urban environment. As London becomes an increasingly 24- hour cultural city, how can new cutting edge smart technologies, lighting and infrastructure improve our interactions with the city?

17:00-1900
Where Design Meets Colour
Chair: Caroline Till, Editor of Viewpoint Colour Magazine Speakers: Kim Boutin and David Broner, co-founders of DVTK; and Francesca Sarti, Director of Arabeschi Closing this year’s talks programme will be an exploration of the role of colour in design across branding and food design. To conclude the talks programme this session will be followed by a colourful drinks reception at The Office Group (TOG).