On January 30th, we had the pleasure of attending the Design Leaders Conference, hosted by Design Skillnet at the Light House Cinema. Nearly 200 design thinkers and leaders from Ireland’s creative sector gathered for a day of thought-provoking talks and panel discussions, all centered around the theme of ‘Creative Courage’.

IDI’s CEO, Charlotte Barker, shared our vision: “For Ireland to be recognised globally for design excellence, where the impacts benefit society as a whole.” Acknowledging the ambition behind this vision, she emphasized that with creative courage, the IDI is committed to making it a reality.

The conference featured an inspiring lineup of international speakers alongside invaluable insights from local business leaders and expert panelists. Discussions covered a range of critical topics, from reinvention and transformative climate justice to the global impact of Irish businesses. Every session was packed with inspiration, actionable insights, and opportunities for learning and connection.

A huge thank you to Design Skillnet for hosting this outstanding event, and to all the speakers and attendees who made it such a success. We look forward to seeing how Ireland’s design leaders continue to push boundaries with creativity and courage.

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