BODW Speaker Karim Rashid is a leading global figure in the field of design
	William To, Project Director, explains how Business of Design Week “unleashes the power of design”
	Acclaimed historian Sir Christopher Frayling will be another celebrated guest
	Joe Ferry, head of design for Virgin Atlantic, will be among 100 high calibre speakers at BODW 2006

The cream of the global design industry will be in Hong Kong this month to present their ideas and vision at the fifth annual Business of Design Week (BODW).

Nearly 100 international speakers are coming from Europe, the US and across Asia to participate in what has become one of the most significant events on the design calendar.

Project Director William To said a focus on the intricate relationship between business and design sets BODW apart from other design-related events, and helped established its international reputation as a networking platform.

“The vision of BODW is to promote the use and value of good design and to encourage business to unleash the power of design. By attracting high calibre speakers and respected participants, BODW is truly a platform where the best of the global design industry comes together to share their experiences and visions for the future of brand, design and innovation,” he said.

Celebrating quality

Hong Kong is an ideal location to celebrate the quality of international design and the impact it is having on the Asian lifestyle, Mr To added.  As well as serving as knowledge exchange with insights and an international outlook, he said Hong Kong is a unique gateway to the Chinese mainland market, creating business opportunities and linking China to global markets.

“There are unique strengths that a Chinese background and culture can provide to talented and dedicated designers on a world stage. Asian designers continue to exert an incredible influence globally and the strength of our design talent is reflected in a broad influence in the way we live, work, and interact with each other and our environment,” Mr To said.

International guest speakers include renowned couture shoe designer Jimmy Choo, celebrated fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, Grammy Award-winning graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister, and John Sorrell co-founder of Newell and Sorrell, one of Europe’s leading identity and design firms. Also presenting will be Ron Arad, one of the most influential product designers of our time, and Sir Christopher Frayling, pioneer of the history of design postgraduate courses at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Asia’s design hub

Mr To said their participation underscores the wealth of Hong Kong’s own design talent. “Having so many respected international designers come together here every year further elevates and confirms Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s design hub.”

BODW, organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre, will be held from 27 November – 2 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. A highlight of the programme is the Design for Asia (DFA) Award, presented to selected winners who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to promoting design excellence and have generated business success through good design.

ID Expo

Held concurrently with BODW will be another prestigious design event, the Innovation & Design (ID) Expo. More than 250 exhibitors from over 20 countries will participate in the event, which is expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors.

First held in 2005, ID Expo successfully promoted Hong Kong as a viable platform for business-focused innovative technologies and design services. Hong Kong Trade Development Council – ID Expo’s organiser – said the synergies created between the two expos resulted in an increase in SMEs' attendance from a variety of sectors including trade and manufacturing to service professionals.

Related links
BODW
Innovation & Design (ID) Expo