WORLD DESIGN ASSEMBLY

Hosted by World Design Organization (WDO) Promotional Member, the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP), the 33rd World Design Assembly will be held in Tokyo (Japan) from 27-29 October 2023.

Under the theme of Design Beyond, the three-day event, which also includes a Research and Education Forum and an international Design Conference, will explore the evolution of design and its intersection with humanity, technology and the environment. 

The event will also be hosted in conjunction with local activities, including the Japan Good Design Award 2023 exhibition, which recognises exemplary design projects across various fields. 

Held biennially, the World Design Assembly brings together WDO’s leadership, members and others from around the globe to engage, reflect and discuss key issues affecting the design profession and the world at large. The 33rd Assembly will mark the first time that the WDO community convenes in-person since 2019, given the fully online format of the previous assembly in February 2022.  

“As a global organisation, we look forward to once again being able to gather our international community in one place, especially in such a design-driven city like Tokyo,” stated WDO President David Kusuma. “Through a renewed sense of connection and collaboration, we hope to foster engaging dialogue about how design can continue to transcend borders and boundaries to chart a new way forward.” 

As noted by Kazuo Tanaka, Chairperson of the World Design Assembly Tokyo 2023 Executive Committee, “design has an important role to play as we think about and create a future that remains as yet unseen. Design does not exist for industry and technology alone, but also for the life sciences, politics, economics, philosophy, and every area of human endeavor. We are looking forward to bringing together a diverse group of people who are poised to move beyond design.” 

In line with the theme, the event’s branding was developed by famed Japanese designer Masaaki Hiromura, who also designed the official pictograms for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Formed by overlapping multiple coloured surfaces, the logo symbolises the integration of diverse knowledge within a singular ecosystem. 

More information about the 33rd World Design Assembly can be found at wda2023.tokyo.

For further information:

33rd World Design Assembly Tokyo 2023 Office 

Located in Japan Institute of Design Promotion

email: [email protected]