The world is transforming, creating complex societal challenges. The future sees fewer hands to care for the increasing number of elderly. The school systems fail, hospitals are down with billions in deficit and the welfare model in general is under pressure. Just to mention some of the future challenges. The situation needs immediate action and new, creative solutions.

The exhibition, CHALLENGE SOCIETY, shows how design meets such challenges. This is not a question of inventing new accessories for the world, but of inventing new ways to design the world. We need to design systems and services to match the complex demands of the future public and private sectors, both individuals and companies.

Using film, texts and photos the exhibition showcases the many examples of how design strategies as the simple solution to complex challenges help give new life to our ailing welfare state, while also creating improved solutions for the users and adding economic value to the industry. Two specific cases from the exhibition show how Danish prisons and nursing homes have chosen to team up with designers in order to solve their main problems.

CHALLENGE SOCIETY explores possibilities and aspects of how to design a new future.

Time and place
13th of April 2011 – 15th of January 2012
Danish Design Centre
H.C. Andersens Boulevard 27
1553 Copenhagen
 

Content from the exhibition

 

The world is in the midst of a transition to a new age The social, economic, technological and environmental forces that created the industrial age of the past 250 years will be replaced by new forces that will create the socio-ecological age of the 21st century.

 

 

The company of the future uses design thinking Three international experts talk about why design thinking is the key to business success in the future.

 

 

What is a design-driven approach? A design-driven approach leads to innovative solutions and successful implementation of products and services.

 

 

Drivers of change Demographics, water, energy, climate changes, waste, urbanisation and poverty will change the world over the years to come.

 

 

Innovation in the public sector The public sector must cut billions. How can design help to meet this challenge?

 

 

Design and public service challenges Five experts in different fields talk about the Danish public service challenges from different perspectives: social, political, economical, technological and environmental. How can design contribute to solutions to the challenges?