Update & Visitor Guide
UCCN Article - Design for Life
Who would’ve thought that Bangkok City Hall, near the Giant Swing, could be turned into a chill-out spot? The Urban Ally group has spearheaded this initiative by installing the “People Pavilion – the Elevated Ground,” a collaboration between SP/N and Nerd Studio, at the heart ofLan Khon Mueang. This setup transforms the area into a vibrant public space where locals can relax and enjoy various outdoor activities.#BKKDW2025 #BangkokDesignWeek #DesignUpRising #ออกแบบพร้อมบวกRedesigning Homes for the Klong Toey Community“Architecture is more than just buildings; it’s a way to heal a community.” Vin VaravarnArchitects, in collaboration with various organizations, have designed housing solutions tailored to the needs of Klong Toey residents, placing a strong emphasis on community involvement.Featuring more than seven housing designs, each layout is customized to accommodate different family sizes and adapt to dense urban environments. The materials chosen are durable, allowing for easy future expansions to support growing families, thus facilitating easy modifications as necessary. These homes are designed to become true sanctuaries of belonging for the residents.Designing Sports Access for the Visually ImpairedAlthough public spaces in Bangkok are not yet fully accessible to people with disabilities, the Thailand Association of the Blind has leveraged design to champion the rights of disabled individuals. This effort has led to the creation of a sports training center designed to provide the visually impaired with safe access to public spaces and opportunities to enhance their abilities,thus enabling them to live confidently and independently without feeling like a burden to society.The center features various amenities, including indoor football fields, fitness areas, chess and judo rooms, athlete dormitories, a cafeteria, and a library. These spaces allow everyone to share the city inclusively and equally.Designing for Well-being of the HomelessQuality of life should be accessible to everyone, including those without stable housing. The “Fresh Start Station” project by the Mirror Foundation provides the homeless with free laundry services, showers, and drinking water. It also offers employment to rehabilitated individuals whohelp maintain the facility. While it may appear merely convenient, this initiative marks the startof a basic welfare design aimed at transitioning individuals from homelessness to stability andultimately facilitating their reintegration into society.Numerous other projects also focus on inclusive design for vulnerable groups, including children with special needs, ensuring they too have equal access to a good quality of life and can live in the city with dignity. When these initiatives expand across Bangkok, they will help transform our city into a more livable place where no one is left behind.#BKKDW2025 #BangkokDesignWeek #DesignUpRising #ออกแบบพร้อมบวก
10 พ.ย. 2024
ดีไซน์พร้อมบวก แล้วปีนี้เราจะบวกกับอะไรบ้าง
If “Design” were to rise up for a face-to-face “Up+Rising,” what could it “+ with”?“Up+Rising!” might sound like a challenge, but it’s not a call to fight—it’s a call to ignite the spark in everyone who loves design. Under this year’s theme, “Design Up+Rising” Bangkok Design Week 2025 invites everyone to experience the powerful, positive energy of design that’s not only creative but also determined to drive real change in society.In a fast-paced, uncertain world, where things come and go in the blink of an eye, design can often be seen as just about looks without creating societal impact. But in truth, design holds the potential to help us adapt and thrive amid new challenges. “Up+Rising” encourages us to embrace new hope and fresh energy through design that goes beyond aesthetics to become a tool for transforming society and our cities for the better.So, if design were to rise up, what could it “+ with” to create the world we want to live in? Bangkok Design Week 2025 is ready to welcome everyone to experience the positive power of design. Let’s rise and add up together!#BKKDW2025#BangkokDesignWeek#DesignUpRising#ออกแบบพร้อมบวก+ OptimismWhen we start to recognize the value of positive energy, we begin to see the world through a new lens. Design acts as a spark that ignites joy, brightness, and the belief that “anything is possible.” This power can lead us and those around us to discover new hope and possibilities, paving the way for growth and a better life.+ Cross-disciplinarityIf there’s anything truly ready to “uprise” anytime, anywhere, it’s design. In a time when expertise in one field alone may not be enough, design becomes a versatile tool that links seamlessly with diverse fields—whether technology, business, or science. Design sparks new possibilities that can enhance our lives and the world around us.+ Positive ForceWhen faced with challenges that drain our energy, design becomes the spark that reignites us—opening up new paths and inspiring social progress. The more problems, obstacles, or limitations we encounter, the more essential design becomes in tackling them. When the positive power of design supports and encourages us to overcome challenges, a better life awaits—all we need is the readiness to take it on.+ Power of DesignDesign is more than just aesthetics; it has the power to bring meaning and depth to life. It can also be a tool for enhancing our quality of life and building a sustainable society. Designers can achieve this simply by expanding their perspective to see design as a creative path leading us toward a better life.+ DisruptionFollowing traditional paths may feel safe, but daring to break the rules and think outside the box can lead us to fresh designs that challenge old ideas. Designers who dare to think differently are the ones sparking new movements, embodying the courage to drive social change.#BKKDW2025#BangkokDesignWeek#DesignUpRising#ออกแบบพร้อมบวก
07 พ.ย. 2024
Announcement of Participant
Announcement of ParticipantBangkok Design Week would like to give a sincere appreciation for all applications. We are delighted that you are a part of this festival. Your participation in Bangkok Design Week 2025 drives the growth of the Creative Industry.List of the Participants for Bangkok Design Week 2025BKKDW2025 Supporters:AP (Thailand) Public Company LimitedCentral Pattana Public Company LimitedEpson (Thailand) Co.,Ltd.Sansiri Public Company LimitedHatari Electric Company LimitedList of BKKDW2025 Program Partners:+ ExhibitionFestival Venue103PAPER SHOPApisek StudioARISARAbamkok.studioBioplustiqCapiz Reborn CEA x iliUCentre of Excellent Ciptaloka, Telkom UniversityDassein DBDepartment of International Trade Promotion (DITP)Do It NowDuPont™ Tyvek® DUSTYDAPEuropean Product Design Award (EPDA)ESIC LabEveryday Architect Design StudioEyedropper FillFaculty of Architecture and Design, KMUTNBFAQ-TORYGOODSTUPHGUMPOONG X FIRST ARCHITAPONHAY ThailandHAYAK + FabCafe BangkokHong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)Homework fabric Infinite RiotItalian Trade Agency (ITA)Jamming KinsJHANYARKeep RightLERTloqaLUKYANGmarionsiamMark C.MUNIEmvrdv x NL embassy x CEANATPICHAIRATNulty LightingPART HardwarePHAYANCHANAPhilippines Department of Trade and Industryploynisa, pokhaiPlural DesignsPlural designs x Trusol POPTODAY + BKK BROS.Rattachat Phonsaen StyleRISE IMPACTSALT AND PEPPER STUDIOScrap LabSilpakorn Office of Art Culture and CreativitySMEGSTUDIO150ANNEXTAKANAO TODO DESIGNTERMTEMXSOERANNThaiGaThe Collective StudioTHINKK STUDIOTIGER LIFESTYLETrawellUrban Allywe!parkWisdomativeWoof Pack BangkokyellowspongeYimsamer x Amino Vital x CEA ห้อง VMLนักออกแบบ x สำนักงานเขตบางรัก/สัมพันธวงศ์บริษัท นันยางการทออุตสาหกรรม จำกัดภาควิชาวิทยาการสิ่งทอ มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์ภาควิชาสถาป้ตยกรรมภายใน คณะสถาปัตยกรรม มหาวิทยาลัยอัญสัมชัญริทัศน์บางกอกวิชญ์ พิมพ์กาญจนพงศ์ศูนย์เทคโนโลยีโลหะและวัสดุแห่งชาติ (MTEC)Your Own VenueA Seat StudioAttention StudioBang Lamphu Everyday by Arch SUBangpho Wood StreetBigknit x Sleepy pansyBlossom Creative MatchingCHBY x ATTA x T Creative x SOLID ALIGNChojamachi School of Arts (Nagoya, Japan)CU x QUTDesign and ObjectsFabLab BangkokFlower Market Goonies Weekendsfriends & dumpco.galvaniiGor.Gor.Nor.GroupGreydient LabHouse of Upa-In x Kanya Kim StudioHumans of Flower Market by Arch SUIndustrial Design Department, Chulalongkorn UniversityJim ThompsonKarolina GackeKITT.TA.KHONKoyoriLesmo x ACG CreativeMayday!MMADMobellaneutralmadeOpenschoolOtis Tattoo and art spacePLABPlan AssociatesRCA x TURENIM PROJECTRESRongmai 42RshuRudy Meyer StudioSaratta Space (สารัตถะ)StreetArt_DRUStuAETaiwan Creators AroundUrban AllyUrban Ally x CreatorsUrban Sense, SoAD, KMUTTUrban Studies Lab / InsightPactvice versaVVdesineYookคณะสถาปัตยกรรมศาสตร์และการออกแบบ มหาวิทยาลัยอัญสัมชัญโครงการบวรธนบุรีจรจัดสรรเจียไต๋บริษัท สนใจ เฮาส์พี.เท็นเดอร์คูลริทัศน์บางกอกสถาบันราชสุดา คณะแพทย์ศาสตร์ รพ.รามาธิบดี ม.มหิดลสัมผัสBangkok Big___________________________________+ Talk Festival VenueESIC LabFast Space Design + PS±D Practical school of designIALD SEAIgor PanticPepsi + Lays ThailandVisual Designer and Artist (Child Culture and Social Design)WisdomativeYour Own VenueArnMuangBangpho Wood StreetCadson DemakCloud 11 X FutureTales LAB X Tellscore X TIMSFabLab BangkokFuture Food NetworkJim ThompsonNUS, Division of Industrial DesignPlay Spaceคณะสถาปัตยกรรมศาสตร์และการออกแบบ มหาวิทยาลัยอัญสัมชัญโครงการบวรธนบุรีบริษัท สนใจ เฮาส์สถาบันวิจัยแฟชั่นแห่งประเทศไทย มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีราชมงคลกรุงเทพ___________________________________+ WorkshopFestival VenueCadson DemakFast Space Design + PS±D Practical school of designLUKYANGREVERB by GadhouseRISE IMPACTSchool of Architecture and DesignTeerawee Jira-kulToad & Hound | CREATIVEyellowspongeYour Own VenueBackforest Bangpho Wood StreetBUNKAFASHIONSCHOOLCasa Formosa Taiwan Tea HouseCollege of ArchitectureFabLab BangkokHumans of Flower Market by Arch SUImpact wood sculptMaLet’sMHA art & craftMushroom studioRD&DSaratta Space (สารัตถะ)Trawell ThailandVaslab ArchitectureYellowSpongeคณะอุตสาหกรรมสิ่งทอ มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีราชมงคลกรุงเทพดรุณบรรณาลัย ห้องสมุดเด็กปฐมวัยวิสาหกิจชุมชนเสน่ห์ย่านบางลำพู___________________________________+ Event Festival VenueCreative House by CEACRYSTALTOPglomglomDYour Own VenueAttention StudioEntertainment ProjectFlower in Hand by P.Flower Market Goonies WeekendsFlowers in the MistFlowers need time to bloomInwood GardenKing Power Corporation Co., Ltd.MappaMunMun SrinakarinNetherlands Embassy in BangkokOMPPGVIMPlay SpaceThe Head and The Heart StudioVanich House มหกรรมรองเมืองเรืองยิ้ม สถาบันวิจัยแฟชั่นแห่งประเทศไทย มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีราชมงคลกรุงเทพหลักสูตร ดุษฎีบัณฑิต สาขาวิชาศิลปะการออกแบบ (หลักสูตรนานาชาติ)___________________________________+ Music & PerformingFestival VenueChanya C.Nathanie NguOtter With Daisy TheatreShadow Colonies UnacousticYamaha Music School ThailandYour Own VenueCollege of Architecture, Suansunandha Rajabhat UniversityYamaha Music School Thailandฉาย อรุณ CHAI – ARUN บริษัท สนใจ เฮาส์บ้านเขียนวาดและภาพพิมพ์ยังธน___________________________________+ Tour Your Own VenueArnMuangBa Thamma Chart,Hidden Bangkok Tour,เรือไฟฟ้าสุขสำราญBUCACasa Formosa Taiwan Tea HouseCollege of Architecture, Suansunandha Rajabhat UniversityConsciousFaculty of Tourism and Hospitality, Dhurakij Pundit UniversityJim ThompsonTaladmodtanoiThe Roots RoutesTheplocationTREASURE WHITE HAT. Since 2013บ้านเขียนวาดและภาพพิมพ์ร้านค้า และ façade X Siradasueริทัศน์บางกอกวิสาหกิจชุมชนเสน่ห์ย่านบางลำพูศูนย์ออกแบบและพัฒนาเมือง (UDDC-CEUS)___________________________________+ Market Festival Venue1DAD(1แดด)aircraft colaapicchaBaan Maew MaewBalmy inhalerBASIC TEEORYBrown n’ rollCANCapyperCASOCHUPALETASErdyFritesFrootHOM MATABA – หอม มะตะบะJIIRALocal Made Goodslokal.somehowMAKINDI TAKOYAKImarionsiamMAT ARCHERmek OortMonjeedmormatMR.HALFMANNYMPHEART (นี๊ม-ฮาร์ท)ORIENTAL RAIN POTTERYPAKAPAN.SPeeti studioPHAYANCHANAPLAYpradap.sukProdPran CraftSARNSARDSarr.raiSedar.WSmall Things Matter SPACEMAKERSpirulina SocietyTourniqueTTwo in RowZEBRAZชงกะบ๊วย ดื่มด่ำ คราฟต์โคล่าเติมเต็มสตูดิโอYour Own VenueBangpho Wood StreetCROSSs And FriendsHumans of Flower Market by Arch SuPhotobook fair (the third edition)StreetArt_DruTikkiwallahวิสาหกิจชุมชนเสน่ห์ย่านบางลำพู___________________________________+ PromotionYour Own VenueBlue BangkokFlower Market Goonies WeekendsMaLet’sTermStation___________________________________Bangkok Design Week 2025Design Up+Rising Facing Challenges with a Positive Twist8 — 23 Feb#BKKDW2025 #BangkokDesignWeek#DesignUpRising
01 พ.ย. 2024
The Districts
Explore Bangkok’s vibrant neighborhoods, ready to rise together in Bangkok Design Week 2025!Bangkok Design Week 2025 invites everyone to rise with the creative energy flowing through the city. With art and cutting-edge design filling every corner, the festival will transform neighborhoods with colors, inspiration, and experiences you’ve never seen before.This year, Bangkok is organized into seven main districts, each with three distinct types of activities, allowing everyone to dive deep into each creative area. From art and fun activities to design that highlights Bangkok’s unique charm, these spaces are ready for you to explore and experience first-hand.Beyond the main areas we’re highlighting today, there are many more locations and activities waiting for adventure-seekers to explore. Keep an eye on our page for updates.Get your shoes ready and come discover which corners of the city are set to rise with you. See you at Bangkok Design Week 2025!#BKKDW2025#BangkokDesignWeek#DesignUpRising#ออกแบบพร้อมบวกThe Legacy Project is an urban development concept that combines creative forces from various sectors to address issues and improve people’s quality of life. Bangkok Design Week provides a testing ground for the project, offering an opportunity to explore its potential for real-world implementation in Bangkok. The Bangkok City Lab team plays a key role in driving this initiative toward reality.+Charoenkrung – Talat Noi : An old riverside district, rich in a blend of diverse cultures, including Thai, Chinese, Christian, and Muslim influences. Historic shops and buildings have preserved their unique charm while blending with street art and trendy cafes that draw the younger generation. In this festival, modern design will meet the rich history here, making Charoenkrung – Talat Noi a vibrant example of urban renewal that respects its original character and cultural heritage while introducing fresh, new elements.+Phra Nakhon : The heart of Thailand’s history and culture, filled with significant architecture, museums, educational centers, and bustling local markets that showcase the lifestyle of Bangkok residents. During Bangkok Design Week, Phra Nakhon will not only preserve its historical and artistic roots but will also be highlighted as a balanced hub of tourism and the arts, maintaining its unique character while inspiring new appreciation.The Creative Cluster is a network of neighborhoods rich with resources and materials for creative work. These areas offer collaboration opportunities that allow ideas to grow into successful businesses, creating neighborhoods full of energy and fresh inspiration.+Pak Khlong Talat : A vibrant flower market filled with colorful, fragrant flowers from Thailand and around the world. As Bangkok’s flower trade center, it supplies flowers for ceremonies, events, and decor across the city. Long-standing vendors pass on their skills and knowledge, filling the market with a lively, distinctly Thai atmosphere that has remained for generations.+Bang Pho : Known for its woodcraft, Bang Pho is home to numerous shops and workshops producing furniture, crafts, and decorative items from various types of wood. This area is a haven for wood enthusiasts, with skilled artisans passing down expertise through generations, making it a vital place for those passionate about unique, handcrafted wooden items.+Bang Lamphu – Khaosan : This district combines the charm of traditional Thai life with the lively international scene brought by tourists from around the world. The area is filled with delicious food, from street vendors to local restaurants, and offers entertainment that lets visitors experience Thai culture alongside global influences. Bang Lamphu – Khaosan’s creative energy connects people to new, diverse experiences.Bangkok Vibe represents a group of neighborhoods with a distinct charm, combining Bangkok’s cultural diversity. These areas bring together the historical essence of temples and local markets with the lively energy of the modern city, merging traditional ways with fresh, colorful lifestyles that stand out.+Yaowarat – Song Wat : A dynamic Thai-Chinese neighborhood filled with bustling shops and street food, creating a unique character that attracts both locals and tourists from around the world. Every evening, the streets transform into a hub of delicious food and authentic Chinese culture, perfect for those who want to experience the traditional urban vibe.+Hua Lamphong : A significant transit hub and gateway to Bangkok, Hua Lamphong features classic colonial architecture that reflects the city’s rich history. It’s a place where diverse people from across the country gather, from travelers to local communities who maintain a traditional way of life. This district is filled with an atmosphere that shares Bangkok’s memories and stories, passed down through generations.#BKKDW2025#BangkokDesignWeek#DesignUpRising#ออกแบบพร้อมบวก
01 พ.ย. 2024
What Kind of Design Up+Rising?
What Kind of Design Up+Rising?5 Ideas for Facing Challenges with a Positive TwistWhat does ‘Designing with a Positive Twist’ mean from the perspective of Bangkok Design Week 2025? What kinds of twists are possible? What benefits come from these? Who can achieve these?. Let’s explore these 5 approaches and try to observe the stories around us. We might find useful design ideas that are closer to us than we think.+ Optimism: Designing with Positive MindsetIf you’re feeling down, feeling like the world is throwing too many problems at you, try looking at designs that can boost positive energy, add brightness, and uplift you. If you’re still unsure, take a look at the popular Art Toy “Cry Baby,” designed by Molly, a talented Thai artist who has gained fame worldwide through POP MART. This adorable character, with tear-filled eyes ready to convey a message: it’s okay to show vulnerability and cry—it’s perfectly fine. For anyone going through sadness, seeing Cry Baby will surely bring a smile, because it deeply understands and empathizes, and it can transform negative feelings into positive energy. This applies to both the artist herself and her fans, in ways that are truly remarkable.Cry Me A River from: https://www.longtungirl.com/7031CRYBABY x Powerpuff Girls from: https://thestandard.co/life/crybaby-x-powerpuff-girls + Cross-disciplinarity: Designing by Connecting Other Disciplines Cross-disciplinarity in design here refers to interdisciplinary collaboration, not limited to just design or creative work, but also integrating with fields like medicine, science, and more to explore new possibilities endlessly. For example, a design project by Japanese designers that simplifies complex, in-depth data related to global climate crises. The information is communicated through the traditional Japanese confectionery “Wagashi,” using its shapes, colors, scents, flavors, and textures to make the content accessible and understandable to everyone. The project aims to bring awareness about global crises closer to home, addressing issues such as ocean warming, polar ice melting, carbon footprints, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. It effectively blends scientific data, design, and food into an intriguing blend of bite-sized information.Reference:https://www.datawagashi.comhttps://schedule.sxsw.com/2024/events/PP134332+ Positive Force: Designing to Face Every Challenge The essence of design is to be a tool to solve problems. However, achieving the desired outcome often involves facing challenges filled with constraints and uncontrollable conditions, which can sometimes discourage designers.In 2012, Superkilen Park in Copenhagen gained worldwide fame for its eye-catching colors, appearance, and concept that challenged the definition of public parks. It dared to be more audacious than any other public space of its time. Designed to tackle crime and riots in the Nørrebro district, it also aims to connect the area’s diverse ethnic and cultural communities. The park is divided into three zones, each with different functions, colors, and appearances, spanning nearly a kilometer. It features over 100 plant species and artifacts from around the world, representing the diversity of people from various countries, including a Thai boxing ring, resembling a large-scale art exhibition in the heart of the city.The behind-the-scenes process of design, construction, and community involvement that brought it to fruition today lies over a decade of overcoming numerous challenges. These ranged from community cooperation and differing opinions among designers, cities, and communities to user feedback. Initially, it sparked debates from various perspectives and faced maintenance issues. Despite receiving both praise and criticism, today this park has transformed into a space that fosters joy and welcomes diversity for both the community and visitors from around the globe with open arms.Reference:https://thecityateyelevel.com/stories/beyond-being-nice/https://www.4cities.eu/which-public-square-and-for-whom/+ Disruption: Designing Beyond Conventions A clear example of creative work that boldly challenges conventions and beliefs is the Netflix series ‘Sathu’, which gained popularity last year. The series addresses the issue of commercial Buddhism, questioning the realms of religion and faith, encouraging society to open up conversations on sensitive topics.Beyond its provocative content, another noteworthy aspect is the graphic design for each episode by Golf-Sarawut Pannoo. He reimagined traditional mural paintings, which typically depict themes of heaven and hell or moral teachings, with contemporary narratives. At first glance, these designs may appear similar to conventional temple murals, but upon closer look reveals a dialogue between belief and reality.This approach promotes positive momentum in both content and design industries, encouraging others to present new ideas that can push society forward.Sathu from: https://www.blockdit.com/posts/660d4d37fa27901af0a41a47 + Power of Design: Designing with Purpose Design work that clearly demonstrates positive benefits on a large national to global scale is epitomized by the design for the Olympic Games, which can be considered as a form of City Branding Campaign. For the latest Olympics in 2024, the host city Paris, a world leader in design for decades, has gone all out in every dimension. It is not just about designing a logo or Corporate Identity (CI); every element and experience of the event serves as a showcase of ‘Parisian identity’ to the world. This goes beyond beauty and new design trends, but also about telling the story of Paris, encompassing its history, culture, art, values, and taste, while honoring the city’s designers. This is communicated through comprehensive design that aligns with the times. Even the medals are made from pieces of the Eiffel Tower, the iconic design of the city.Most notably, Paris is setting a new standard for the Olympics by aligning the design concept in response to global situations, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint throughout the event. This includes minimizing the construction of new sports venues and repurposing city landmarks and tourist attractions, including palaces, as venues for various sports. This approach not only addresses global crises but also serves as city promotion. Although Paris is considered as one of the World’s travel destinations, this design initiative is expected to offer the world a new perspective on Paris and bring tremendous benefits back to the city.Paris 2024 Olympics from: https://www.dezeen.com/2024/03/08/paris-2024-poster-ugo-gattoni The Château de Versailles from: https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/venues/chateau-de-versailles From these examples, it becomes clear that there are numerous design works that come with positive energy and have potential to create impactful change for everyone. Join us in sharing ideas and drawing positive energy from uplifting creative works at the Bangkok Design Week 2025, ‘Design Up+Rising: Facing Challenges with a Positive Twist’ from February 8-23, 2025.BKKDW2025 Open Call for ApplicationDeadline: 30 September 2024 at 23:59 hrs.Apply Now athttps://www.bangkokdesignweek.com/apply#BKKDW2025#BangkokDesignWeek#DesignUpRising#ออกแบบพร้อมบวก
27 ก.ย. 2024
What is Design Up+rising?
What is Design Up+rising? Understand the ideas behind Bangkok Design Week 2025Bangkok Design Week returns for its 8th edition, maintaining its primary goal of making creativity and design tangible and accessible to everyone, not just those in the design or creative industries. The festival aims to be a tool for driving people, society, and the city forward in all dimensions.Over the past two years, the festival has experimented with inviting everyone to brainstorm and engage in conversations to explore the possibilities of using creativity and design to develop Bangkok into a more friendly and livable city. This has revealed the power of individuals and all sectors who want to see Bangkok improve, confirming that the festival can serve as a platform for collaboration, finding allies, and sparking new movements that can create change.This year, it is undeniable that the world, including Thailand, is facing multiple crises simultaneously. We expect many new challenges to arise in the future that we need to be prepared to handle.Therefore, it is an excellent opportunity for the festival to open up space and invite everyone to rise up, think together, and demonstrate “what creativity and design can do” to help us adapt and cope with this turbulent era. This is the starting point for this year’s festival concept.What is Uprising?Uprising (n.) is a broad term describing a movement or rebellion against something, often used in political or revolutionary contexts. On the other hand, Rise up (v.) can mean to recover from failure or to overcome problems. The term “uprising” itself is powerful and can convey multiple dimensions of meaning depending on interpretation. This is why the festival has chosen to use it to convey a message that awakens energy and encourages cooperation among everyone in this era.Why Design Up+Rising: Facing Challenges with a Positive Twist?When reviewing world history, we find that in many crises, pressure often serves as a special source of power that can generate new creative ideas. This has led to the emergence of various Art and Design Movements throughout different eras, arising to awaken social trends and aiming to guide the direction of social change at that time. For instance, Realism Art emerged to reflect the reality and social inequality of the 1900s, countering the concept of Romanticism Art, which focused on expressing emotions and feelings without adhering to reason and reality, potentially to an extreme degree.As the political and social situation is inextricably linked to art and design, it is unfortunate that many people still view these creative works as distant, extravagant, and unnecessary for life. This perception may regrettably diminish the value of creative work.For this reason, the festival wishes to use this opportunity to elevate and energize the design industry. We aim to demonstrate that design has the power to create real change at many levels and can also empower people to rise up and face the challenges that surround them.What Kind of Up+Rising? ‘Up+Rising’ is paired with ‘Facing Challenges with a Positive Twist’, which undoubtedly evokes a sense of power, enthusiasm and charging forward. This energy of collective readiness to face challenges is what the festival aims to harness. We invite everyone to unite and approach the challenges of our era with positivity, using design and creativity to transform negative energy into positive force, and despair into hope.Let’s explore how the festival will embody Design Up+Rising:+ Optimism: Designing with Positive MindsetRecent global trends show people adopting more optimistic outlooks, choosing to shed stress and embrace positivity. Design will play a role in creating happiness and joy while fostering hope that anything is possible and demonstrating how people’s lives can be improved.+ Cross-disciplinarity: Designing by Connecting Other Disciplines Expertise in a single field is insufficient to address complex challenges. Design is unique in its diverse specializations and its ability to seamlessly integrate with any discipline or context, not just within creative fields. Designers, too, embody this versatility.+ Positive Force: Designing to Face Every Challenge When faced with numerous challenges and limitations that might dampen spirits, we’ll explore how design can infuse positive energy and enhance the capabilities of people, businesses, society, and cities.+ Disruption: Designing Beyond Conventions Following trends can be monotonous. We aim to inspire new design trends, including emerging designers or veterans ready to embrace boldness, challenge the status quo, to create the new movements in the industry that are more relevant than ever.+ Power of Design: Designing with PurposeWe’ll showcase the value of design and the design profession, demonstrating that it is not just about aesthetics but can achieve more than imagined, particularly in creating positive change in the world.If you wish to see positive changes around you, regardless of your background or profession – whether you’re a designer, artist, creative professional, or from any other field – you’re invited to explore various design disciplines, share ideas, and draw positive energy from creative works at the Bangkok Design Week 2025, ‘Design Up+Rising: Facing Challenges with a Positive Twist’ from February 8-23, 2025.BKKDW2025 Open Call for ApplicationDeadline: 30 September 2024 at 23:59 hrs.Apply Now athttps://www.bangkokdesignweek.com/apply#BKKDW2025#BangkokDesignWeek#DesignUpRising#ออกแบบพร้อมบวก
27 ก.ย. 2024
Exploring Global Trends to Cope with Chaos
Exploring Global Trends to Cope with ChaosThe world has barely recovered from COVID-19 when new challenges have emerged: political instability, wars, economic uncertainty, and environmental crises. It’s a multifaceted crisis, forcing people to seek balance between anxiety and optimism to navigate these challenges. Let’s examine the trends that have emerged in the past 1-2 years in response to the chaos of our current era.Seeking New Definitions to Understand an Incomprehensible World From VUCA to BANIFor decades, the world has been familiar with VUCA, an acronym describing a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous world. Coined by American economists and initially used by the U.S. military to define Cold War situations, it later spread to other sectors, especially after 9/11, with many global organizations adopting it as a framework to prepare for change.In the post-COVID-19 era, as the world became turbulent in all dimensions, a new acronym emerged: BANI, standing for Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible. Introduced by an American anthropologist and futurist to complement VUCA, BANI doesn’t just describe world situations but also our perceptions towards them, reminding us to be vigilant in assessing crises and preparing for future challenges.PolyCrisis: Multifaceted CrisesAnother buzzword in the past 1-2 years is “Polycrisis,” referring to multiple, interconnected crises. Highlighted in the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Reports, it indicates that the world is facing several major crises simultaneously. For Thailand, the report identifies risks such as economic downturn, air, water, and soil pollution, labor shortages, household debt, inequality, and extreme weather conditions.Gen AI as a LifelineAmid global uncertainty, Generative AI has emerged as a lifeline to help cope with challenges that exceed human capacity and control. Over the past 2-3 years, we’ve seen AI play a role in various dimensions, from automation to creating all forms of content – images, audio, video – extracting deep insights, and even acting as human proxies and enhancing human capabilities. It has reached a level where it can help revisit the past, make decisions in the present, and predict the future. This has sparked numerous debates about the utilization of AI.Research by Ipsos indicates that people worldwide remain both excited and concerned about AI, with diverse opinions on various issues. These include whether AI will assist or replace human jobs, whether AI will generate misinformation and disinformation, the reliability of AI, and whether AI will enhance or devalue artists’ creativity.However, whether AI becomes a friend or foe, whether it helps solve problems or enhances human capabilities, ultimately depends on how humans choose to use it.Skill Building as a Survival StrategyAs AI remains a topic of debate, humans must simultaneously enhance their own skills. In this era, we frequently hear terms like Upskill, Reskill, Newskill, and Future skills, along with Green Skills (knowledge and awareness about environment and sustainability). Crucially, Cross-skills or interdisciplinary integration is vital, as expertise in a single area is no longer sufficient for survival in this age.It’s not just teenagers and adults who need to accumulate skills. Children are also beginning to cultivate diverse learning skills and understand their interconnections. For instance, STEM education, integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is becoming widespread in many schools. This aims to instill essential skills for navigating an increasingly complex future world.Tragic Optimism: A Rational Way to Heal the Mind While there was previously a trend of Toxic Positivity – forbidding oneself from negative thoughts to the point of unrealistic optimism – research over the past year has found that what helps people become resilient and manage stress amid severe problems is Tragic Optimism. This involves positive thinking while accepting reality, acknowledging problems and negative emotions, then rising to face them.Additionally, #HopeCore, a new trend on TikTok in the past 1-2 years, focuses on positive videos, often editing scenes from movies and adding healing messages to inspire hope and draw people away from surrounding negativity. In many countries, these #Hopecore contents have been found to help people overcome depression.Consequently, surveys in various countries by Ipsos Global Advisor Predictions 2024 show that in the past 1-2 years, people tend to have a more optimistic outlook. Despite concerns about uncertain circumstances, they maintain hope, especially for their own lives. They seek products and services that heal the mind and encourage positive thinking. Moreover, they expect companies and brands to contribute to making the world more livable, promoting health and well-being, and presenting a hopeful future.JoyconomyThe trend of balanced optimism links to finding a sweet spot for living happily. The Future 100 by VML Intelligence 2023 trend study found that people are especially seeking joy, happiness, and humor during this period. This is evident in online contents focusing on feel-good materials, funny clips, products with bright and colorful packaging designs, and the popularity of Art Toys. The appeal of cute characters and the excitement of random box surprises indicate a search for small, tangible mood boosters that can divert attention from stress.Radical ReconnectionAs a consequence of the COVID situation that left people feeling lonely and isolated, there is a yearning to be part of larger groups. Research shows that encountering new, diverse groups of people helps fulfill their feelings.In recent years, we’ve seen activities and festivals attempting to act as intermediaries, attracting diverse groups of people to meet and share experiences. This is beneficial not only for individual mental health but also has broader social and economic impacts. Certainly, facing the challenges of today’s world requires collective actions to generate enough momentum to create large-scale impact.From current global trends, we can see that people, organizations, and cities are trying to learn, adapt, and creatively find ways to deal with an uncertain world. The core focus is on choosing to stay positive+ and creating hope that everyone can help make this world better.This year, we expect to see many new design trends and innovations created to address people’s needs and tackle crises.Come explore new trends that will show how creative and design work can bring positive change to the world at the Bangkok Design Week 2025, under the theme ‘Design Up+Rising: Facing Challenges with a Positive Twist’, February 8-23, 2025.Reference:https://stephangrabmeier.de/bani-versus-vuca/#infographichttps://techsauce.co/sustainable-focus/the-global-risks-report-2024-from-world-economic-forumhttps://www.marketingoops.com/reports/world-economic-forum-2024-lesson/https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2024-06/Ipsos-AI-Monitor-2024-key-findings.pdfhttps://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/08/tragic-optimism-opposite-toxic-positivity/619786/https://metro.co.uk/2024/03/24/a-pessimistic-world-need-hopecore-save-us-doomscrolling-20496012/https://www.ipsos.com/en-th/ipsos-global-predictions-2024https://www.vml.com/insight/the-future-100-2024https://article.tcdc.or.th//uploads/file/ebook/2566/11/desktop_th/EbookFile_34204_1699259829.pdfBKKDW2025 Open Call for ApplicationDeadline: 30 September 2024 at 23:59 hrs.Apply Now at https://www.bangkokdesignweek.com/apply #BKKDW2025#BangkokDesignWeek#DesignUpRising#ออกแบบพร้อมบวก
27 ก.ย. 2024
About Theme: Design Up+Rising ออกแบบพร้อมบวก+
Theme of Bangkok Design Week 2025Design Up+Rising: Facing Challenges with a Positive Twist8 — 23 Feb 2025Today’s world is undeniably fragile, complex, and rapidly changing in almost every aspect. This new era has come to be called the ‘BANI World’ – Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, and Incomprehensible. People are thus confused and vulnerable, both mentally and physically, and so develop negative attitudes towards themselves and their surroundings.As the world becomes more chaotic, people grow increasingly stressed and anxious, discouraging them from thinking outside the box. Design becomes even more seen as being decorative and unnecessary for life and society. This, in turn, causes designers to lose their passion.It is time for the design industry to demonstrate “what design can do” – how it can help people adapt, solve problems, and face these challenges.Let’s work together to transform negative energy into a positive one, despair into hope, and challenges into solutions. Our goal is to make design play a more significant role in driving life, society, and cities forward like never before.Bangkok Design Week 2025 (BKKDW2025) invites everyone in the design industry and other creative fields, as well as anyone who wants to create change, to rise up, view every problem from a positive perspective and to transcend limitations in unprecedented ways while elevating the value of design together.‘Design Up+Rising: Facing Challenges with a Positive Twist’ by various approaches such as: + Optimism: Designing with Positive Mindset Awaken positive energy and hope, creating endless new possibilities. + Cross-disciplinarity: Designing by Connecting Other Disciplines Open-minded collaborations across various disciplines and creative fields. + Positive Force: Designing to Face Every Challenge Splash positive energy, ready to fight and overcome limitations. + Disruption: Designing Beyond Conventions Rise up to create new design trends, with courage to challenge conventional forms. + Power of Design: Designing with Purpose Rise up to demonstrate the value of design, beyond beauty, to create positive impacts.Let’s collaborate to create new movements that empower people with positive energy and fire up the design industry to its fullest potential. This will help fulfill the potentials of society and cities, preparing them to face future challenges.Let’s rise up for an up+rising in design.Bangkok Design Week 2025Design Up+Rising: Facing Challenges with a Positive Twist8 – 23 Feb 2025#BKKDW2025#BangkokDesignWeek#DesignUpRising#ออกแบบพร้อมบวก
27 ก.ย. 2024
