Design Museum Everywhere is responding to workplace paradigm shifts with the first-ever virtual Workplace Innovation Summit (December 7-11, 2020). Designed to test boundaries and represent a catalyst for change, the Summit features the best names in design, business, and research for five days of visionary commentary and insightful discussion. Through top keynote speakers, networking, and interactive sessions, the virtual Summit will outline how we move forward in cultivating a more equitable, meaningful, and healthful workplace for all.
This year marks the fifth annual Workplace Innovation Summit, and a first-time switch from a 1-day, in-person conference to a 5-day virtual design expo. Created by the Design Museum’s Center for Workplace Innovation, a resource hub and think tank for workplace professionals, Summit attendees can harness the knowledge and innovation of today’s industry leaders through impactful conversations on current and post-COVID workplace strategies.
“Reimagining and reshaping our understanding of the workplace is of the utmost importance, now more than ever,” remarks Sam Aquillano, Design Museum’s Executive Director. “As the workplace continues to evolve, we are excited to announce the 2020 Summit and its full slate of programming. Headlined by leading designers, researchers, and business executives, the Summit will offer a platform for forward-thinking conversation and explore how we can collectively transform the way we work.”
Attendees will participate in a diverse line-up of events running the gamut from keynote presentations and thought leadership discussions to interactive workshops, networking sessions, and live podcast recordings. All workshops and presentations are IDCEC accredited and participants can receive up to 8.5 CEU IDCEC hours. Business leaders, entrepreneurs, designers, real estate professionals, and more are invited to connect virtually with their colleagues and peers across the globe and challenge their conceptions about the future of work.
The Workplace Innovation Summit will touch on hybrid and remote models, new spatial typologies, neurodiversity, wellness, and workplace culture, augmenting existing spaces, and more. Throughout the five days, attendees are encouraged to reconsider workplace innovation through an array of intersecting lenses - including business, design, equity, technology, healthcare, and psychology.
Highlights from the Workplace Innovation Summit 2020:
Lisa Kay Solomon: Author, Designer in Residence, Stanford d.school
Opening Keynote: Designing as Futurists
There are no facts about the future, but how we feel about it — our posture and sense of agency around it, the processes that we use to understand and interrogate it, and our set of practices and tools to shape it. Those are very much available to us today. Building on her research, writing, and classes at the Stanford d.school, best selling author and educator Lisa Kay Solomon will offer some opening reflections on what it means to lead like a futurist in today’s rapidly changing context.
Jennifer Kolstad: ASID, Assoc. AIA, Global Design Director, Ford Motor Company
Closing Keynote: A Post-Pandemic Design Proposition
If design is an evolving hypothesis, then constructing the framework with which to design can be as powerful as the outcome itself. Addressing the inevitable question — “where do we go from here?” — Kolstad will share how Ford united to create a meaningful coalition that deconstructed industry obstacles to harvest opportunities and course-correct historic pain points. Drawing on research-led outcomes, she will demonstrate the importance of diverse perspectives and share the groundbreaking ideas that emerged from Ford’s Future of Work Think Tank.
Other notable speakers include top leaders and executives from Gensler, Perkins+Will, HOK, Herman Miller, Studio O+A, Bluescape, Project Inkblot, Cactus, NoBox Studio, and more. Sponsors include: Jamestown, view, Environments at Work, Red Thread + Steelcase, Sasaki, Haworth, Luma Institute, and Somersault Innovation.
Membership and Summit tickets are now on sale. For more information on the Design Museum Workplace Innovation Summit or to register, please visit designmuseumfoundation.org/event/workplaceinnovationsummit2020.
About Design Museum Everywhere
Design Museum Everywhere is a nonprofit, nomadic museum of design. Our mission: bring the transformative power of design everywhere. We inspire people by showing what’s possible through public exhibitions, events, and content. We educate people to become creative problem solvers using the design process. We transform, using design to take action and make change, demonstrating its impact. designmuseumeverywhere.org
About The Center for Workplace Innovation
The Center for Workplace Innovation is a hub for thought leadership for all — from entry-level employees to CEOs across industries and disciplines. We exist to demonstrate how design and innovation can transform the way we work. Part think tank, part resource — the Center is a platform for content and inspiration, cultivating a global community of thought leaders to advance the field. If we’re successful employees will be happier, healthier, more engaged, and more productive; and companies will achieve greater success, retain top talent, and create more impact.