iF Design Trend Conference 2025 explores future of design and innovation
The iF Design Trend Conference 2025 gathered some of the world’s most visionary creative professionals in the heart of Berlin, where ideas on the future of design were exchanged at the stunning AXICA building next to the Brandenburg Gate.
Held just one day after the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT, the event welcomed designers, technologists, and strategists from around the globe to explore the intersection of creativity, technology, and leadership. With a growing demand for human-centered and forward-thinking solutions, this year’s conference highlighted the transformative power of design in a rapidly evolving world.
Among the key takeaways from the iF Design Trend Conference 2025 was the emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, with each speaker showcasing how innovation flourishes when design intersects with adjacent domains. Shane Griffin, director of Grif Studio, delivered a compelling talk on how 3D design has become the bedrock for creating across multiple industries.
Griffin’s portfolio, which includes work on the iPhone 8, Nike Air Yeezy, and BMW commercials, serves as evidence that design grounded in artistic exploration can result in commercially and culturally iconic outcomes. His presentation revealed behind-the-scenes pre-production workflows, illustrating how artificial intelligence is now being used not just for efficiency but to expand the very possibilities of visual storytelling.
Liza Enebeis, the creative force behind Studio Dumbar/DEPT®, brought attention to the role of motion and sound in shaping brand personalities. Through projects such as the Van Gogh Museum rebrand and DEMO Festival, she illustrated how dynamic branding transcends static visuals.
Her philosophy reinforces the idea that brand identity today must live and breathe through digital channels, engaging audiences through a synthesis of sight, sound, and interactivity. Enebeis’s talk inspired attendees to consider identity design as a fluid, evolving experience rather than a fixed deliverable.
Architect and technologist Martha Tsigkari offered a deep dive into the revolutionary impact of computational design at Foster + Partners. Her talk outlined how tools such as genetic algorithms and neural networks are now being applied to solve complex architectural problems, from optimizing urban environments to designing responsive materials.
Tsigkari’s perspective, shaped by her experience leading the Applied R+D group, underlined how architecture is no longer confined to aesthetics or structure, it now engages directly with data, biology, and environmental intelligence.
From a strategic and leadership lens, Tey Bannerman of McKinsey Design Europe explored the emerging paradigm of design leadership. As design’s role shifts from supportive to central in organizational strategy, Bannerman argued that today’s design leaders must master not just creativity, but also systems thinking, behavioral science, and responsible AI implementation.
His insights painted a vivid picture of what it means to lead design in the age of complexity: a task that demands adaptability, empathy, and a holistic view of the human experience.
Attendees of the iF Design Trend Conference 2025 walked away with more than just the iF Design Trend Report 2025, they gained a glimpse into the future of design shaped by bold experimentation, digital fluency, and an unwavering commitment to human-centered innovation. As conversations spanned disciplines and challenged convention, one theme remained clear: the boundaries of design are expanding, and with them, the potential for meaningful global impact.
All images by Anne Freitag Photography, with courtesy of iF Design, shared with permission
