Some of the best architecture and design conferences are making a return this year worldwide. Thankfully, you won't need to travel far to attend them all. These 7 conferences are all offering virtual access to their workshops, roundtable talks, and panel discussions with some of the biggest names in the industries. Attending these events as a virtual patron may look a little different than being there physically, but in this article, you will find the many benefits of tuning in from home.
“The 4th Annual DesignOps Global Conference”
When: June 14, 15, 16, 17
Themes: ‘Designing for the Metaverse, Web 3.0 & Circular Futures’, 'Operationalizing Org and Behavioral Change', 'DesignOps, Design Systems and Designing at Scale', 'Strategy and Transformation at Scale', 'Circular Futures'.
What: DesignOps Global Conference is a virtual event to understand how research, design, and innovation are increasingly concerned with designing immersive experiences, orchestrating new ways of interacting and connecting digital ecologists and landscapes in the Metaverse - a network of 3D virutal worlds focused on social connection and interaction. During the conference, you will have the opportunity to learn from leading practitioners about why this is one of the most important shifts on the Internet for decades. Through workshops and talks with some of the biggest names in the industry, attendees will learn and share how new processes, practices, principles, and products are evolving, while finding new ways of scaling design and adapting the way they think for the Metaverse and the Circular Economy.
Speakers: Pete Fossick, Dr. Florian Sametinger, Rosanna Haider, Neil Sharp, Stephen N. Labanyi, Karl Randay, Dr. Andrea Barbarin, Maryann Slama, Jennifer Price, Tim Keough, Carolina Kia Takada, Denise Hampson, Guthrie Weinschenk, Dr. Linzi Ryan, Marcus Kirsch, Dr. Shuo-Hsiu Hsu, Margaux Marie, Zeynep Baltalioglu, Jules Mahe, Albert Vitullo, Berk Cebi, Jiri Trecak, Illia Pashkov, Chris Dammeter, Dr. Joachim Scholz, Don McIntyre, Paul-Jervis Heath, Chris Downs, Arvind Lodaya, Matthew Cockerill, Valentine M. Emmanuel, Clive Gryner, Joe Macleod, Anya Ernest, Jeroen Spoelstra, Phil Balagtas, Alicja Suska, Hammad Khan.
When: September 28-29, 2022
Themes: “What Are We Responsible For?”, “Decolonizing Design”, “A Little Pick-me-up”
What: The Design Matters conference is made up of digital creatives from around the world who love to explore and inspire one another to break new ground in digital design. This year, Design Matters will focus on accessibility- ranging from typography to web design- inclusive design, the ways in which design and mental health influence each other (as well as trauma-informed design), and some of the 'grey areas' that challenge a designer's ethical compass. The conference will open its doors to Ecodesign, Material and Queer Ecology, Indigenous Design, designs promoting more sustainable and inclusive ways of life, and also Future Thinking and Speculative Design. Design Matters plans to dive into playfulness as a design tool, and a way to craft unforgettable, engaging experiences. Attendees will discover ways in which they and their teams can use emotional IQ, storytelling, and little moments of delight in their designs and their process. Expect to learn more about the experience and character design, test your creativity, and find inspiration in animation, video games, illustration, and more.
Speakers: Anna Lytical, Eriol Fox, Maria Fuentenebro & Mario Mimoso, Ngoc Trieu, Liz Oh, Vincent Egan, Jose Torre, Titian’s Alcock, Luke Murphy, Celeste Mountjoy, Kevin King, Rachel McConnell, Tobias Ahlin, Regina Gilbert, Bret Schafbuch, Laura Kalbag, Pedro Arbilla, Jordan Craig, Sam Horner, Caroline Arvidsson
Workshops by: Chris Weier, Sara Jepsen & Pelle Martin, Geo Law
When: June 15 - 17
Themes: (In)Tangible Heritage(s): A conference on design, culture, and technology - past, present, and future.
What: “The buildings, towns, and cities we inhabit are physical entities created in the past, experienced in the present, and projected to inform the future. The same can be said of the artifacts we use daily: designed furniture in the home, the mobile devices in our hands, the vehicles we see on our streets. However, each of these places, buildings, and products had, at their inception, social and cultural roles beyond their ‘object’ status. They continue to have them today. What we understand a designed object to be then, is a complex question of material and social import, and an intricate play of the tangible and intangible identities. Increasingly, it is also a question of hybrid experiences and overlaid histories. This conference addresses the range of issues connected to this scenario.”
When: July 11-15
What: Mind The Product conference brings together hundreds of product people from across the United States and beyond to hear from the biggest names in product creation, participate in thought-provoking discussions, and push product craft forward.
Speakers: Nikkia Reveillac, Claire Vo, Lenny Rachitsky, Dave Dame, Sara Wachter-Boettcher, Bruce McCarthy, Jennifer Taylor, Peter Yang, Cinthia Assali, David Dylan Thomas, Ben Foster, Cris Valerio, Nacho Bassino, Audrey Crane, Samihah Azim, Julia Shalet, Gijo Mathew.
When: August 19 - September 1
Theme(s): 'Embracing Cosmologies: Expanding Worlds of Participatory Design'
What: The Participatory Design Conference (PDC) brings a multidisciplinary and international group of researchers and practitioners together to encompass a wide range of issues that surround participatory design and are discussed and encountered in multiple fields and disciplines.
When: August 23-26
What: In its 14th year, Australia's leading conference about UX, UX Australia, is holding a hybrid event that will include conference presentations, workshops, and activities, with local and international presenters covering topics and ideas in relation to experienced practitioners, new-comers, and all in between. Attendees will explore topics such as product and service design, and the surrounding disciplines of research, content, operations, management, and more.
Speakers: Christian Crumlish
When: September 8
What: ProductCon is an event organized by Product School that is structured around the hottest topics in Product Management. The event takes place four times each year and gathers product professionals from around the world. This year, there is no need to travel for the conference as they are offering admission online through the virtual event platform, Hopin. The platform does a fantastic job of recreating the look and feel of an in-person event and gives you access to watch all live presentations, access slides, network with fellow attendees, and collect freebies from the virtual booths.
Speakers: Krishna Panicker, Caroline Hynes, Megan Murphy, Miles Norris, Therese Stowell, Raymond King, Ravi Parikh, Tim Beattie, Carlos Gonzales De Villaumbrosia.
Typically it would be quite challenging to attend all of these amazing conferences, but the option to attend virtually opens up a world of opportunity. Not only will you save the expenses and hassle of traveling, but you will also have an easier experience at the conference. Being virtual gives you the freedom of walking away from the conference for a moment to fulfill a task or pause to take notes during a workshop or talk. Although it is always nice to go and meet people in person and experience these discussions face-to-face, the option to attend virtually has provided endless possibilities for events like these. If you are seeking architecture or design services, or want to learn more about the industries, be sure to check out these resources.