In the world of design, ‘truth’ can be an elusive partner. And perhaps never more so than when designing places. Cities, neighbourhoods and countries are complex environments, built over time, and inhabited by people with conflicting opinions and aspirations. In that context, how can we as designers help build a positive vision of a place?
Joy Nazzari and Patrick Eley lead dn&co, the brand and design agency behind the reinvention of remarkable neighbourhoods with a strong heritage, like St James’s and Royal Docks in London, and Digbeth in Birmingham. In this talk, they will argue that designers are in a unique position to influence the way our towns and cities develop in the future. Inspired by the uncompromising attitudes of designers like Otl Aicher and Roberto Burle Marx they will call on designers to speak the truth – to clients, and to power – and have the courage to create places that truly work for people. This is a business imperative, and a moral one too.
