About the event
Design Matters Tokyo is a conference on digital design – made for designers, by designers. The mission of Design Matters is to share knowledge, offer inspiration, and connect designers from all over the world.
Design Matters Tokyo is the sister conference of Design Matters, that is based in Copenhagen and has brought talented international designers on stage since 2015. After its debut in January 2020, Design Matters is ready to open for the third time and welcome more designers to discover what Scandinavian and Japanese designers can learn from each other.
The event will present some of the best speakers from Design Matters as well as top-class Japanese designers who will share with the local audience their insights and learnings on digital design.
A bridge connecting Japan and Scandinavia
For Design Matters, it’s such a privilege to be part of an intercultural community of experts and creatives who share the same strong passion and interest for design. We firmly believe that connecting cultures and sharing experiences have the potential to give rise to brilliant ideas. This is why, at Design Matters, we encourage designers to talk about their processes, challenges, ideas, inspirations…and fuck-ups!
Design Matters stands out from other design conferences, thanks to its joyful and festival-ish atmosphere that creates an open environment for designers to share their ideas. So, this event represents a non-mainstream alternative to many design conferences that have a more formal and corporate style. We’ve learned that Japanese designers sometimes may lack a valid alternative to the mainstream mindset and approach. Our event will bring a breath of fresh air and a different way of thinking design!
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The red thread of design
Japan takes pride in a long tradition of craftsmanship, that has always ensured the high quality of its products. At the same time, Danish people are famous for their practical attitude and outlook on life. Design Matters Tokyo will be the perfect intersection between these worlds.
An interest towards Japan and its culture has dramatically surged in Scandinavia in the past few years. In a similar way, our Japanese community has shown great interest and curiosity towards Scandinavian design and the “Danishness” of our approach. And knowing that Japan is seeking new inspiration outside its borders, Tokyo couldn’t be a better location for this event. We will bring the best of the Danish ‘hyggelig’ atmosphere to Japan!
The themes >
THE FORMAT
Design Matters Tokyo is a two-day event. A series of talks will explore the most relevant topics for digital designers today and practical workshops will dive deep into design methods and processes. All the talks and workshops will revolve around three themes, which aim at defining and leading the agenda on the most important issues concerning UX/UI, innovation, tech, and sustainability.
The conference will be hybrid, meaning that you will be able to attend in-person or online. The talks will be recorded and uploaded on the video platform that you can access from the moment you purchase your ticket. The workshops will be different for the in-person and online audience. The reason for this is that the setup for a physical workshop can require specific materials that not everyone at home might have. Due to their interactive nature, the workshops will not be recorded and uploaded on the video platform.
To be admitted to the event, you must show a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination.
THE PROGRAM STRUCTURE
The event will kick off at 9 am, but the doors will be open from 8 am. Coffee, tea, breakfast and lunch will be provided at the venue on both the days of the conference.
Part of the program are the Nerd Tracks. A Nerd Track consists of either 2 talks taking place one after the other OR a workshop. If you want to attend a workshop, you have to sign up for it. You will receive an email the week before the conference, where you will be able to sign up for the workshops you want to attend. If you do not sign up for any workshop, your Nerd Track will automatically consist of the 2 talks.
Consecutive translation from English to Japanese will be available for the talks.
See the program >
Expanding our community
We believe in the power of community, and we’re very proud of bringing together so many creative minds from all over the world to discuss the creation, innovation, and impact of digital design.
Back in 2015, we started out as a small gathering for 150 local designers in Copenhagen. In 2019, we counted at Design Matters 19 in Copenhagen about 1000 participants coming from 45 different Countries around the world. The conference in Tokyo will be an event of smaller size, but this doesn’t mean it is of lesser importance! It is a fantastic opportunity to become part of an international design community. Therefore, we welcome and encourage you to connect with other participants and have a chat with us organisers!
VENUE & ADDRESS
The conference will take place at the amazing DMM.com’s Head Office in the Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower, in Roppongi, Tokyo (view map).
Address: Japan, 〒106-6224 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 3 Chome−2−1 住友不動産六本木グランドタワー 24階