Open Call for Design Research Day
A Stepping Stone to Driving Bangkok Through Multi-Dimensions of Design
Bangkok Design Week 2022 has come to a close with around 190 great programs in 9 days on 5-13 February held in Bangkok’s creative districts, Charoenkrung – Talad Noi, Phra Nakhon, Samyan, Ari – Pradipat, and Thonglor – Ekkamai, and areas all over the city. Besides the amazing activities and showcases around 100,000 registered online and onsite festival goers have experienced, the festival has opened up new perspectives and ignited creative ideas for both professional and amateur designers for many new possibilities in the post-COVID-19 era. Encourage Creative Industry, Generate Income, and Bring the City Back to Life This year’s Bangkok Design Week was packed with showcases, talks, workshops, creative markets, and activities that encouraged creative potential. The potential that connects people together, allowing them to (collaborate) ‘Co With Creation’. With collaborations of over 500 creative networks, public and private sectors, academic institutions, and the communities, who brought their best ideas to spring the creative districts back into life from the gloomy pandemic. Many of the showcases have incorporated the main ingredient, the stories of the communities, collaborating and inspiring the people of the community to relook at their existing value and generate great income within the economy. The Challenges Amidst the Pandemic It is difficult for Bangkok Design Week to happen during the pandemic hardships. The festival has to be carefully planned with social distancing and screening measures with the use of Crowd Check innovation that shows real-time crowd density updates in the area. Additionally, the festival has increased online and outdoor activities to reduce the virus spread risk. Hopefully, the colourful showcases and activities in the past 9 days have mentally soothed and added happiness to those who came out to visit and got inspired. Past, Present, and Future of Thai Design The remnant of the past created the present, at the same time, what’s happening right now is creating a path towards the future. These ideas have been presented through the past few years of Bangkok Design Week. Since 2018 where the festival presented new perspectives on Bangkok through ‘The ‘NEW-ist Vibes…’ to talking about Bangkok’s unique characters in 2019 ‘Fusing Forward’ and in 2020 where designers presented their ideas on adapting and preparing themselves for new challenges ahead in ‘Resilience: New Potential for Living’ as well as the adjusted setting of 2021 due to the pandemic, where the majority had moved online presented the concept of ‘Resurgence of Possibilities’, and this year’s successfully ended Bangkok Design Week 2022 Co With Creation. Next year, we will certainly be back with more impressive programs that aim to drive the Thai creative industry by opening up spaces for the creators to unleash their full potential, living up to Bangkok’s mission as Bangkok City of Design – UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Get yourself prepared for the next festival now and see you again on 4-12 February 2023
Phra Nakhon: The Non-Traditional Tradition
Let’s learn more about the next creative district “Phra Nakhon” The district originated with the City of Bangkok, is rich with all classic materials, ready to create further, to preserve and build upon, adding up stories as the next chapters of this ancient district with over 200 years of history. Bangkok was first established on the eastern plain of the Chao Phraya riverside. It has transformed for over two centuries, from the central administration to the old town district and tourist destination with famous street food stalls attracting people from all over the world. Phra Nakhon District has witnessed numerous historical events and has been through all the changing tides since the early period. When the pandemic hits in 2020, this ancient district is presented with another challenge. The decline in tourism has affected many businesses but the district still stands strong through adapting and finding ways to survive. Find the traces of creativity in this historical district through various ‘collaborative’ activities between the residents and the old town lovers. We invite you to explore and revitalise this classical district at Bangkok Design Week 2022 “Co With Creation” on 5-13 February 2022. In compliance with public health regulations and Covid-19 guidelines. Follow us www.bangkokdesignweek.com FB/IG : bangkokdesignweek Twitter : @BKKDesignWeek Line : @bangkokdesignweek #BKKDW2022 #BangkokDesignWeek #CoWithCreation
Ari-Pradipat: Oh-So-Chic, Never-Out-of-Trend
The chic district for the new generations, filled with cafés, restaurants, and creative businesses that never let the district out of trend. Fit for the name Ari (meaning friendly) the Ari-Pradipat residents connect as friends in the ‘neighbourhood’ exuding warmth and care of the area. This is through the collaboration of the original residents who are the foundation and the new generations who bring in a chic lifestyle creating a livable and sustainable neighbourhood. The district prior known as a ‘public service town’ where many public service organisations and past aristocrats resided. Still, there are old residential buildings and small communities here. Newly built condominiums joined and a new generation poured in becoming neighbours, have generated new businesses like tasteful restaurants and chic cafés. The creative community of designers also help turn the district into an incubation of ideas and a network of creators in various fields. Additionally, Ari is one of the districts that have a strong sense of ‘neighbourhood’, the support the old and the new residents have for each other, living alongside each other, and together they will overcome the challenges. Ari-Pradipat welcomes everyone to get to know and fall in love with ‘neighbour of Ari’. Learn about how the strong district overcomes the crisis from the ‘co-operation’ of the residents. Join them in discovering new possibilities on 5-13 February 2022. In compliance with public health regulation and Covid-19 guidelines. Follow us www.bangkokdesignweek.com FB/IG : bangkokdesignweek Twitter : @BKKDesignWeek Line : @bangkokdesignweek #BKKDW2022 #BangkokDesignWeek #CoWithCreation
Samyan: Ideal Learning District with Legendary Delicacies
Get to know the next creative district and exhibition space “Samyan” The district seems to grow with time, being the central learning space alongside legendary delicacies as well as an important central business district. On top of that, it is also an experimental playground where many creators come to test out ideas and search for new possibilities. Samyan is one of Bangkok’s delicacies centres where we will find students’ legendary eateries, our grandparents’ favourite Chinese restaurants, street food stalls for working people with a busy lifestyle, and instagrammable trendy cafés scattered from Suan Luang Square to Banthat Thong road. ´ Other than being a learning space where top-tier universities and schools are located, the district also ‘co-operates’ many functions and new possibilities for everyone’s use. Modify itself to cater to modern lifestyle, the space has developed into commercial mixed-use space for a variety of needs like ‘Samyan Mitrtown’, the spacious ‘CU Centenary Park’, the space for start-up business ‘BLOCK 28’, or many more alternative spaces for all the new generations. Samyan has become a space for a new generation, some of them experiment on new ideas, some revive the old business, some continue building their family business, and some create their own business venture, through new business model tests like EV shuttle services within the district and digital art centres ‘FAAMAI’, and ‘Art4C Gallery’ a space for new generation artists to showcase their works freely. Come and see the district prospering in all aspects throughout the period and experience the visual, taste, scent, and sound of Samyan this Feb! At Bangkok Design Week 2022 “Co With Creation” on 5-13 February 2022. Follow us www.bangkokdesignweek.com FB/IG : bangkokdesignweek Twitter : @BKKDesignWeek Line : @bangkokdesignweek #BKKDW2022 #BangkokDesignWeek #CoWithCreation
Thonglor-Ekkamai: The Ahead-of-its-Time Design District
Let’s get to know the next creative district and exhibition space “Thonglor-Ekkamai” The city centre district is a hub of top designers and creators in many fields, who connect design to the business world nicely. Come taste and feel the bustling and creative atmosphere hidden around the district. Thonglor-Ekkamai District is known as the design hub at the heart of the city where many design studios are located. It is also a creative-related business district, selling furniture and designer products. Any design enthusiast would fall in love with Thonglor-Ekkamai’s charm which attracts people from around the country and the world. As a district where business and creativity meet, Thonglor-Ekkamai is packed with creative businesses of design, graphic design, architecture, and furniture studios and ateliers The creativity can also be enjoyed through taste, music, and entertainment experience with local restaurants, cafes, and bars catering to all lifestyles. It’s the district that never sleeps with all these activities going on. Experience the fast-adapted world which never ceases in reality, with the people of Thonglor-Ekkamai who will take you to see this fast-adapted district in the form of the real world and the virtual world of Metaverse. See the collaboration between creative studios and local famous shops and cafes to search for new possibilities and adapt for the future in both worlds, online and on-ground, at Bangkok Design Week 2022 “Co With Creation” on 5-13 February 2022 in compliance with public health regulations and Covid-19 guidelines. Follow us www.bangkokdesignweek.com FB/IG : bangkokdesignweek Twitter : @BKKDesignWeek Line : @bangkokdesignweek #BKKDW2022 #BangkokDesignWeek #CoWithCreation
Charoenkrung-Talad Noi: The Older, The Better
Get to know the first Creative District and main exhibition space “Charoenkrung – Talad Noi”. This commercial district has had its importance since the Phra Nakhon period began. With its diverse people & cultures and rooted histories, fundamental to the district modernisation, it never gets old and has set itself as Bangkok’s prosperity prototype. The ancient district located on the riverside east of Chao Phraya has been Bangkok’s prototype showcasing Bangkok’s prosperity in the past. Since the first road named ‘Charoenkrung’ was built, marking the major land transport transformation, the local architecture, products, and food have conveyed its multicultural essence strongly. It is also a driving force behind the bustling commercial district since the early Phra Nakhon, turning the Chinese community district into lively merchants exchanges like Sampeng and expanding into the Talad Noi community with over 200 years of Talakkia Chinese community. The charming local assets are plenty for creators to develop, recreate, and add more value to it. The blend of local heritage and contemporary function added a more creative vibe to the district, which has made it an ideal choice to hold Bangkok Design Week every year. This ancient district has developed through infrastructure and conceptual image, products and services modernisation supported by CEA and partners, in public and private sectors, also the people and its communities, to become the Bangkok Creative District prototype. With all the contributions and development, the district is always newly enriched. Find out the ‘co-operation’ between the areas, people, and local heritage rich with its culture and history. The balanced mix district of the old and the new is ready for you to be a part of this Feb! At Bangkok Design week 2022 on 5-13 Feb 2022, under the theme “Co With Creation”, the festival is carried out in compliance with public health regulations under Covid-19 guidelines. Follow us www.bangkokdesignweek.com FB/IG : bangkokdesignweek Twitter : @BKKDesignWeek Line : @bangkokdesignweek #BKKDW2022 #BangkokDesignWeek #CoWithCreation
Tech Trend that Changes Life in Every Dimension
Keeping up with the fast-paced changes of technology in this era is not a piece of cake. There’s no denying that the more we understand modern technology, the more advantage we will have. In the near future, these technologies are becoming a key player in our daily lives. The Virtual worlds connected people from around the world. The birth of “Metaverse” that impacts creations in many aspects. NFT digital assets that completely turn the table for how pieces of art are being valued. Also, many more new technologies will affect art and design works in many fields. The Covid-19 crisis caused many businesses to slow down or even come to a halt but the tech industry is going strong, into full thrust. Now, let’s see some updates on what’s happening this minute. Virtuality inching into Reality The gaming industry has been growing with constant growth in the consumer base which caused technology about Digital Avatar to develop along with it. And now our world has welcomed many virtual influencers who are AI. Many businesses that look for the possibilities in utilizing these technologies like the fashion industry, those who are known to be quick on their feet, didn’t miss the chance to jump in and join the Virtual world. For instance, Levi’s have designed 3D clothing for the avatars in the game QQ Dance and sold the same design in reality alongside it as well. This trend is not messing around, it will grow even larger. Ravensbourne University London, an institute of digital communication and design have already one step ahead and opened up Digital Technology for Fashion Pathway for students. New Possibilities in Metaverse Frontier A word we should all know right now is “Metaverse” which IT peeps must have already heard about. But this word widely exploded at the end of 2021 when Mark Zuckerberg, the father of Facebook, announced the company’s name change into “Meta”. Presenting the visions looking into the future that his company is growing beyond being a social media platform. This move of the social media giant immediately shines a spotlight onto “Metaverse”. It’s a compound word that is a combination of “Meta” and “Universe” used to define the creation of a community that merges the person’s reality into a virtual environment. For example, the worlds in the game “Roblox” where people can play in the activities together. Its distinctive selling point is being a game platform that provides users with tools to create their own games which inspires many new game developers. Right now, anyone outside of the IT circle is yet to fully understand the concept of “Metaverse” but marketers see the opportunities and possibilities. They have already started making their move. Famous sports shoes brand “Nike” is one that is making the first move by creating a virtual world “Nikeland” in Roblox. The world consists of tracks and fields for competing and the Nike showroom where the brand digital clothing can be tried on. Moreover, in November there was a report that Nike had filed for registration for additional copyrights of specifically digital products. Nike also opened up a job vacancy for “Virtual Material Designer”, already showing the effect of the limitless technological advances. If you ask the kids “what would you like you to be when you grow up?” some would probably say an occupation we have never heard of. NFT, New World Art Market In the past, an image of an Art Collector for us would be millionaires with spacious houses and artwork-specific storage. But these days, the change of technology has turned the process of valuation and art collecting in the new era of art on its head. The birth of NFT or Crypto Art, made connections between the art creators and the art collectors around the world simpler, just with the tip of their fingers. It also elevated and grew the art world rapidly with Blockchain operating systems. This helps verify the art piece’s rightful owner, prevent copying and altering, and also allows tracking when the work has been created, who the current owner is and how many times the piece was purchased. This made the piece of digital art become the one and only and significantly increase its value through digital currencies transactions. Some popular online memes have made millions from this trend. NFTs buyers are those who appreciate the pieces and want to support the artist and help the industry to grow. And also those who are speculative buyers, where they took the difference from selling a piece to buy more NFTs, can be seen as a channel for creative economic growth to keep an eye on. AI, the New Creator Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the use of science and technology to create machines to replace human labours. Operating Robots with various orders are probably what we are familiar with. AI technology is adaptable to any industry. Even continuing the legacy and reviving an incomplete classical music score of Symphony No.10 by Beethoven which had only been drafted before he died in 1827. The Eliette and Herbert von Karajan Institute, 200 years later, brought experts in many fields like musical historians, musicians, music composers and computer scientists, putting their heads together to develop the special project. Teaching the AI classical music composing in Beethoven style and reproducing the new Symphony No.10. The project started in 2019 and recently in October 2021 have made its premiere in Beethoven’s hometown of Bonn, Germany. (Listen to Symphony No.10 here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RESb0QVkLcM&t=21s) In an interview, the team said that they did not see AI as replacing humans but rather as a tool to open a door for artists to create new things, which we totally agree with. The key to keeping up with the digital world is to keep up to date with all the movements. Know how to pick up interesting technology to make use of it with what we are currently doing and take it even further. We invite you to put your heads together on how we should deal with the changes that become a key part of our daily lives. Let’s find the answer together with us at Bangkok Design Week 2022 under the theme “Co With Creation” on 5-13 Feb 2022 #BKKDW2022 #BangkokDesignWeek #CoWithCreation Reference https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/02/nike-is-quietly-preparing-for-the-metaverse-.html?utm_content=Main&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR0ev0RVT6XA5UtW6IFSPsDYgHb7KiqttCXcFLHRC9vQCl6kvtXUY1QHqzU#Echobox=1635869155 https://www.classicfm.com/composers/beethoven/unfinished-tenth-symphony-completed-by-artificial-intelligence/