In keeping with our DARE TO DREAM theme, we are encouraging everyone to explore their aspirations for a better world through design.

This year, over 400 design brands will be participating in our festival, each with their own unique ethos and creative vision. We asked them to delve into the dreams that drive them forward, and to share those dreams with us anonymously. Their answers offer a glimpse into the soul of the design industry.

Among the myriad of dreams submitted, a series of recurring themes emerged. Together they reflect a collective desire to harness the power of design for positive change. Here are just a few of the inspiring dream scenarios that our exhibitors envision:

Making Slowness a Priority

In a fast-paced world that often emphasises speed and efficiency, slowness is a deliberate strategy that would give exhibitors time to pause and ponder other possibilities. It would allow them to dream. To create designs that draw on deeper insights. And to reflect on decisions before they make them. By slowing down, exhibitors would have more time to consider the consequences of their design decisions. This would set the stage for more thoughtful, sustainable solutions to help protect people and the planet we all share.

Promoting dialogue, diversity, and inclusivity

‍You could argue that most designs are static objects. But in the minds of our exhibitors, design has the potential to spark discussion, advocate inclusivity, and reflect the amazing diversity of people who populate our world. Ultimately, design can serve as a catalyst for social change, fostering empathy and understanding. A dream scenario for our exhibitors would be concepts aimed at a more equitable world, where spaces and products celebrate the rich, cultural differences that define the human experience.

Embracing a circular agenda

While “save the environment” has become a watchword used as virtue signalling by some, our exhibitors take this challenge quite seriously. Given our throw-away culture of mass-production and thirst for trendy, fast furniture, the result is environmental waste and a depletion of natural resources. To address this, our exhibitor’s dream is to design with a circular economy in mind. From responsibly-sourced materials to ethical production, packaging, delivery and disposal. As part of their commitment to prolong the longevity of their products – and the planet.

Insistence on natural, bio-based materials

In a bid to mitigate any negative effects on the environment, there’s a growing interest among our exhibitors to use natural, bio-based materials. Think overlooked-materials like cork, plant-based textiles made from pineapple leaves, ocean-sourced materials such as seaweed and vegan leather made from apple skins. They also advocate recycling and re-purposed waste, in their dream to use renewable resources that bring a new kind of beauty to products, while treading lightly on Earth.

Encouraging conscious consumption

Of course, a sustainable future is only possible if consumers are conscious about their consumption, by choosing longer-lasting products, buying less, recycling more and prioritising sustainable products. As custodians of design, our exhibitors are keen on inspiring people to make more informed choices and cultivating a culture of mindfulness, so that consumers can realise the pivotal role they play, and the impact of their purchases on society and the environment. 

Maintaining environmental integrity

More than anything, our exhibitors share a genuine commitment to environmental integrity, where ecosystems are in balance, with enough essential resources for plants, animals and humans to thrive. Their role involves actions that are consistent with their values, and their efforts to make every aspect of the design process as ethical and sustainable as possible. By being consequent, and taking responsibility for their actions, our exhibitors dream of leaving behind a legacy of protecting the planet for future generations. 

What’s our own impression of these lovely dream themes? That we all share a collective consciousness about our design world – and its ability to influence the world at large. We invite you to dare to dream along with our exhibitors at 3daysofdesign. Together, we can transform aspirations into reality, and co-create a better world. Starting right now.

‍