How does technology transcend industries and spark innovation? Learn how a new type of spring designed by an automotive engineer in 1932 impacted the launch of an iconic lamp--as well as the history, heritage, and approach to design behind this British lighting brand.

Gaurav Nanda, a sculptor, a visual designer, and founder of Bend Goods, shares his journey in design and starting a business. Learn how furniture is functional artwork and the unique material of wire can easily be used to form shapes.

Coleman Gutshall, Director of Global Strategy, Bernhardt Design, leads us through a tour of this industry-leading contemporary design manufacturer. See a behind the scenes view of how they use centuries-old craftsmanship to make unique products that blend design and cutting-edge materials with traditional woodworking and upholstery techniques.

Carl Hansen & Søn, with more than a century of Danish furniture history, share their respect and passion for quality craftsmanship. Learn more about the process of bringing iconic furniture designs to life through product development, storytelling, and a commitment to innovative thinking. Alongside Brad Ascalon, an award-winning multi-disciplinary designer and the first American to collaborate with Carl Hansen & Søn, Mads Holm Rabjerg who oversees product design, they share how to design for the future while remaining true to a company’s heritage.

Three friends, three founders; Bret, Nick, and Daniel, each different, each making Cerno a leader in lighting. Daniel speaks to lean manufacturing; Nick talks about the design process and inspiration; Bret about sales and marketing. They’ll explain entrepreneurism – and the beauty of being equal parts making the whole.

Designtex’ Surface Imaging division’s team of artists, technologists, and craftsmen take us through the entire process of creating unique environments for wallcoverings and textiles. The tour shows art development, the process of digital and strike off approval, and material options. Discover the in’s and out’s of printing including dye sublimation and UV cured inkjet processes. It concludes with the intricacies of finishing from cutting, lamination, wallpaper alignment/QC process, to packaging.

Look behind the scenes at Emeco and learn what “Made in America, often by hand, mostly from recycled materials, but always to last” really means. A fun and informative talk between Gregg Buchbinder, CEO of Emeco, who’s passion and creative mind has guided Emeco to its worldwide success and his daughter, Jaye Buchbinder, Produce Development Manager. Both are strong advocates for producing and defending authenticity in design and our environment.

We join Daniela Fantini in Italy and Riccardo Conti in New York as they take us through the essence of Fantini. Daniela took over her family business at age 28 and built it to be a worldwide leader in fixturing. We learn more about the company’s offices, factory, and the 11-room suite hotel, CasaFantini, designed by Piero Lissoni and deeply rooted on Lake Orta in Italy. We learn about the company’s passion for design innovation and environmental commitments to give water its best form.

Christian Andresen, Head of Design at Fritz Hansen, shares his philosophy on design and the concept of designers being “design consultants.” Working with great young talents like Nendo, Jaime Hayon, and others, joining the great works of legends Arne Jacobsen and Poul Kjaerholm, Christian has many thoughts on how this iconic company designs for its future.

Working with some of the best names in fashion and design, you will hear from the dynamic architecture and design firm, Gabellini Sheppard, speak about their philosophy and share examples of the innovative work they create. Several members of the team discuss some of their designs and design thinking. Michael Gabellini gives insight on what it means to run a design firm today.

Is architecture your thing? Then this one's for you. Ehren Gaag, Design Director and Principal at Gensler, the largest global architecture and design firm, shares a rare look into Gensler’s thought and design processes. As a design leader, forward-thinking strategist, and product development expert, Ehren shares his inventive, cross-disciplinary approach to design and regaled us with colorful examples and analogies.

How often does one get an exclusive tour of the Copenhagen-based smithy and learn about the craftsmanship of fine silverware? Silver Manager, Jørgen Jacobsen, of Georg Jensen opens the doors to one of Denmark’s most celebrated design companies, alongside Jakob Mose Olesen, Marketing Director, North America.

John James Jenkin, the colorful CEO of North America, of this colorful company, speaks to the use of new BIOmaterials and their impact on the future of design. He discusses how we will see a shift from Form + Function to Values + Function. Kartell, famous for the iconic Louis Ghost & Masters Chairs by Philippe Starck, as well as Componibili by Anna Castelli Ferrieri, continues to innovate with some of the greatest design minds in the world.

Amy Auscherman, Corporate Archivist, Herman Miller, took us through the rarely-seen archives. Here, we get an exclusive look at the works of design greats such as Alexander Girard, Charles & Ray Eames, and George Nelson who all helped inform the future of modern design and Herman Miller. Amy gave us great stories, the inside scoop on the company’s history, and examples of the multiple ways to use a company’s archives to design for the future.

Alberto Perazza, CEO, and Enrico Perin, Magis’ Design Manager, take us through the design process, materiality, and manufacturing process and give their insights on how they work with some of the best designers in the world while keeping the brand identity.

Creative Director, Gabriele Chiave, guides us on an exclusive tour of Marcel Wanders’ studio in Amsterdam. Learn more about the inner workings of the studio as they welcome us with who they are and what they do. Then onto the Delft Blue Room to learn about different projects through the lens of art direction. We then see what goes into product design with a “trip” to their Material Library and lastly, to the VIP Room to see some of the interior design project work.

Spanish lighting manufacturer, Marset, covers all things lighting. Take a look at the creative process that went into their popular Dipping Light collection from how the idea was born, to the development phase, and the expansion of the collection. Gain insights into the past, present, and future of the brand - including how Marset built a presence in the North American market in 10 years.

Join Joyce Romanoff, CEO, and Jennifer Block, VP of Business Development, for an engaging discussion about their extraordinary wallcovering company, MAYA ROMANOFF. Get a behind-the-scenes look at gorgeous wallcoverings being manufactured by hand in MAYA’s Chicago studio. Maya Romanoff has been a leader in handcrafted surfacing materials for over 50 years and is recognized today as the largest multi-disciplined manufacturer of luxury wallcoverings.

Annie Kantor, founder, Modern Metal spoke of the challenges and excitement of starting your own company – and being its designer too! She discusses her design process, sampling, mistakes made, and problems solved.

Pablo Pardo, Creative Director and Founder, Pablo Designs, provides a view into the studio which started with a single design, bringing insight into the creative process, design collaborations, and how Pablo Designs manages the challenges of the production process from concept to finished goods. Pablo touches on the studio's devotion to human-centered design which elevates our experience with light.

With Steelcase, Coalesse, and Turnstone having design studios and partners located in all regions of the world, their approach to design and development leveraged virtual work long before we all had to. Learn first-hand from John Hamilton, Director of Global Design, Coalesse and Turnstone, two Steelcase brands, about the world’s largest office furniture company and how its design studios use virtual collaboration in its development process.

Yellow Goat Design knows a thing or two about custom designs. The company creates, engineers, and fabricates lighting, screens, and works of art unique to every single project. Hear about their expertise on the design and fabrication process, understanding messages, recognizing the users of a space, and applying all of this to create a powerful product tailored specifically to each environment.