From 11 to 12 September 2025, the international design conference FORM / FUTURE will explore how design can drive systemic change across business, society, and politics – hosted inside the iconic ICC Berlin. FORM / FUTURE brings together leading voices from design, innovation, and public discourse who see design as a catalyst for transformation – a tool that finds new applications and generates visionary solutions. At its core, FORM / FUTURE does not approach design as a discipline, but as a mindset. A capacity to navigate uncertainty, connect systems, recognize tangible solutions – and open up new spaces of possibility. FORM / FUTURE is part of 49h ICC – a temporary opening of the legendary International Congress Centrum Berlin to mark the Europe-wide Open Monument Day, taking place 12 to 14 September 2025.

Two days of inspiration, exchange, and concrete strategies: success stories, skill-share formats, and curated encounters – for everyone looking to actively shape change. Expect keynotes, panels, master classes, design expos, and curated spaces for connection – all set in an extraordinary place between future and memory: the temporarily reopened ICC Berlin. FORM / FUTURE is aimed at designers, businesses, public institutions, researchers, cultural practitioners, and policy makers – people working together to shape the future.

Program
The conference program is built around six thematic tracks. Three focus on the role of design in business and industry – Design Strategy, Design Industry, and Design & Tech. The remaining three examine the interface between design and society: Design, Policy & Society, Design & Learning, and Design for Planet.

Over two days, FORM / FUTURE brings together leading voices from business, politics, administration, research, and design practice – people shaping change in their own way. We’re excited to welcome: Phil Gilbert (IBM), star of IBM’s design transformation into an agile, user-centered enterprise, Prof. Friedrich von Borries (author, artist, HFBK Hamburg), known for interdisciplinary projects linking radical ideas with political relevance, Simone Kapeller (Ravensburger), who designs immersive gaming experiences beyond classic mechanics; Max Mauracher (NEWSTANDARD.STUDIO), who translates circular storytelling into tangible circular models, and Barbara Lersch (World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026), who develops learning formats for the world of tomorrow. Also joining us on stage: Michael Biel (State Secretary for Economic Affairs), Prof. Daniela Hensel (HTW Berlin, whydobirds), Boris Kochan (President, German Design Day), Prof. Dr. Carolin Zeller (Managing Director, von Beust Consulting), and many more.