The steering group brought together an incredible panel of speakers - with Sarah Booth from the Design Council setting the scene with the need for green skills, Tom Lloyd from Pearson Lloyd revealing the incredible effort and granular research they undertake to shift their products to circular and net zero. Andy Galloway from The New Citizen Project explaining their approach to help society engage as citizens rather than consumers, Priya Prakash from D4SC (Design for Social Change) talking us through the designer’s role in everything from politics to potholes. Rounding up with a keynote by Leyla Acaroglu who memorably mentioned recent research about micro plastics being found in human testicles and stressing the importance for circularity.

After a networking break the room then came alive through the drink+design session with groups battling out the climate quizz, guess the greenwash and pitching against each other to create brilliant and hilarious design solutions to contemporary societal climate challenges. The room came alive with the workshop fueled by Friday drinks and inspired campaigns for worm love hotels, compost dumping cargo pants, and much more…

The aims of the event were three fold;

  • bringing the community together in an educational and engaging way to help us be more resilient in our response to the climate emergency,
  • sharing insight and knowledge - an essential part of the journey to shifting the industry, and
  • raising funds to help continue the amazing work Design Declares are doing.


Huge thanks to the D! community that came, and our event sponsors that made this all possible! TDC PR, GRAPHENSTONE, Pearson Lloyd, Wild, Logitech, Newspaper Club, DASH Water, The Five Points Brewing Company, Arrowtown Drinks, Pavilion Bakery.

The event would not have happened without the continued dedication and organisation by the D! steering group - Jo Barnard, Abb-d Taiyo, Aurelie Lionet and URGE’s Alexie Sommer.

If you're interested in being part of the next D! event, get in touch.

Think Global and Act Local for 'World Localisation Day' an annual celebration, convened by the international NGO Local Futures. A myriad of events and campaigns are hosted all over the world, not just on June 21 – the day itself, but throughout the whole month. Community groups and grassroots networks are joining forces to raise awareness about the need for a global to local shift and to celebrate the worldwide localisation movement.

Join the EETG, an alliance of small businesses working together on shared issues and values for the common good of the local community at an event this Tuesday 25th June, at E5 Bakehouse.

Ella Doran will be speaking at this event, along with Margaret Asare, owner of EyeLondon Opticians, and Ben Mackinnon, owner of E5 Bakehouse.

for tickets and further information, visit Ticketailor here.

Are you passionate about improving socio-economic diversity and inclusion within the creative industry?

The Creative Mentor Network are seeking a dynamic individual to join their team. Applications to join their board as their next Chair of Trustees closes this Tuesday, the 25th of June.

Read more about the role here.

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