What Kind of Design Up+Rising?

5 Ideas for Facing Challenges with a Positive Twist

What 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 Mindset

If 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/7031

CRYBABY 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.com

https://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.

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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 Application

Deadline: 30 September 2024 at 23:59 hrs.

Apply Now athttps://www.bangkokdesignweek.com/apply

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