Wesley ter Haar, Stefan Sagmeister, and Emily Rickard lead Digital Design Days 2026 lineup
Digital Design Days 2026 speakers represent a cross-section of contemporary creative leadership, and among the most anticipated are Wesley ter Haar, Stefan Sagmeister, and Emily Rickard. Presented in Milan as part of one of Europe’s leading digital design festivals, these speakers bring distinct perspectives on AI-driven creativity, design authorship, and global studio culture, positioning Digital Design Days as a platform for both industry reflection and forward-looking experimentation.
Wesley ter Haar, co-founder and Chief AI Officer of Monks, represents a generation of digital pioneers who transitioned from production to large-scale systems thinking. Founded in 2001 as MediaMonks, the studio evolved into a global network following its merger with S4 Capital in 2018. With over 7,000 people across 33 countries, Monks operates as a unified, data-driven organization integrating marketing and technology services. Ter Haar’s trajectory—from a basement startup in the Netherlands to a Cannes Lions jury president—frames his approach to AI as both a creative and operational tool, demonstrated by recognitions such as Adweek’s AI Agency of the Year and continued presence among Cannes Lions’ top creative companies.
Stefan Sagmeister’s contribution centers on authorship, emotion, and long-term creative sustainability. As founder of Sagmeister Inc., his work for institutions including the Rolling Stones, HBO, and the Guggenheim Museum established a distinct language bridging graphic design and art. Sagmeister’s projects extend beyond client work into research-driven exhibitions such as The Happy Film and The Happy Show, which investigate the relationship between design and well-being. His advocacy for sabbaticals and slower creative cycles introduces a counterpoint to high-frequency production models, positioning his talk within Digital Design Days as a reflection on process, meaning, and the cultural role of design.
Emily Rickard, CEO of BUCK, represents a third trajectory focused on scaling creative practice while maintaining studio culture. Leading a team of over 400 artists across six cities, Rickard has overseen the expansion of BUCK into new disciplines including gaming and spatial design. The studio’s portfolio spans collaborations with brands such as Nike, Apple, Google, and Netflix, with projects ranging from motion design systems to immersive storytelling. Under her leadership, BUCK launched BUCK Games, opened a LEED Gold-certified headquarters in Los Angeles, and initiated Residence, a network connecting multiple creative companies. Her perspective emphasizes structure, leadership, and the operational frameworks required to sustain creativity at scale.
As a media partner, Visual Atelier 8 offers readers an exclusive 20% discount on Digital Design Days 2026 tickets, available through the event link.
