In this edition, participants shared perspectives on the «revaluation of values» in design, among other issues concerning the discipline’s future.

Today, the world faces ecological, socio-economic and geopolitical challenges. The Cumulus Budapest 2024 conference was a crucial platform where tensions and parallels in contemporary design culture were explored in this global context. Amenábar, dean of the Design School at Universidad del Desarrollo, was present to share new perspectives on the future of design.

At a time when human-centred design paradigms are proving insufficient to address the complexities of today’s world, the conference was a space to reconsider the goals and starting points of design.

With its rich history and recent institutional renovation, the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in Budapest was the perfect venue for this meeting between academics and art and design professionals worldwide. Together, they explored new perspectives on design culture.

During her trip to Budapest, the head of UDD Design had the opportunity to participate in engaging and strategic discussions. These discussions covered a wide range of topics, from design and its future to the importance of rescuing traditions, the role of women, their vision, and their significant contribution to the field.

Among the keynote speakers was Vladan Joler, director of the Share Foundation and professor at the University of Novi Sad. Vladan leads a research lab composed of artists, activists, lawyers, designers, and technologists exploring the lesser-known technical aspects of the interactions between technology and society. Other highlights included presentations by Ádám Somlai-Fischer, architect, interaction designer and one of the founders of Prezi, and Hedvig Harmati, DLA, director and professor at the Doctoral School of the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) in Budapest, on the heritage rescue of valuable pieces of Hungarian culture.

«It is an honour to be here participating in the Cumulus conference, immersed in an atmosphere of ideas exchange about contemporary design culture. It is crucial to evolve our references and preferences to adapt to these changing times,» explained Alejandra Amenábar.

The conference was the ideal platform to discuss the «revalorisation of values» in design, exploring diverse perspectives of strategic design, systems thinking, and design beyond the traditional human approach. «I am delighted to learn from my international colleagues and to share our experiences and knowledge to chart the future of design together. Human creativity and technological innovation are at the heart of our conversations, and it is exciting to imagine the possibilities the future holds,» concluded the dean.