Designing for a Changing World
A panel discussion curated by map project office
Hosted during Milan Design Week 2025, the discussion featured panelists working in the realms of material sciences, carbon technology, fashion, and design strategy. Moderated by Disegno’s editor-in-chief Oli Stratford, the discussion covered the importance of long-term strategic thinking, the role of AI, the interplay between design and business strategy, and much more.
The speakers included Angus Dick, creative director at Map; Alistair Curtis, chief design officer at VF Corporation, one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies; Chelsea Franklin, head of advanced concepts at Pangaia, and Andrew McKechnie, head of marketing at Airco.
“Are you thinking about the broader complexities that are behind every brief? Are you just doing what you’re being told, or are you looking at the bigger issues in the world?”
The discussion began with a prompt: how does it feel to be a designer today, at a time when social, environmental, economic, technological and political paradigms are being challenged in multiple ways?
In response, the panelists discussed how designers are taking increased responsibility for the impact of the products they create, and pushing themselves to not only reduce their environmental impact, but to also create designs that foster joy, connection and care for both people and planet.