Frederick Rickmann stands as a paragon among contemporary design thinkers, renowned for guiding designs from concept to reality across varied disciplines and industries. His solutions elevate each project, showcasing his broad expertise and seamless integration across sectors. A revered figure in both academic and professional realms, Frederick’s profound insights and lectures have garnered attention and respect globally, particularly in Europe and the Asia Pacific. His deep understanding has fostered significant collaborations with both public and private sectors, solidifying his role as an esteemed advisor. Throughout his illustrious career, Frederick has assumed leadership roles such as the chairman of the Association of Danish Designers and the inaugural Board Chairman of the Scandinavian Design College. His current position on the board of the renowned DESIGNSALON underscores his influential presence in the design community. Frederick’s leadership extends to DNgroup Aps in Norway, where under his guidance, the firm has become a leader in the design industry. His expertise also encompasses serving as a strategic mentor within the Danish Industry, adjudicating Design and IPR cases in Danish courts, and advising on intellectual property and marketing legislation across Scandinavia and Asia. His contributions to the design dialogue include writing and broadcasting on Chinese and Taiwanese relations and on strategic design and innovation for prominent Asian and European magazines. Moreover, Frederick is a celebrated speaker and lecturer, sharing his knowledge and vision at numerous universities and acting as a frequent jury member for prestigious international design awards. Renowned for his insightful contributions to the design discourse, Frederick Rickmann has left a lasting impact on both academic and professional platforms, demonstrating his invaluable role as a policy advisor and design thought leader.

Larry Lim, the dynamic Motion Director at Anchor Agency, boasts an impressive track record with over 8 years in the motion graphics arena, alongside profound engagements in original content production, branding, and the manipulation of social platforms. At the helm of Anchor Agency since 2018, Larry orchestrates motion content that distinctively enables brands to penetrate the marketplace noise. His innovative approach merges fresh concepts and storytelling into visually captivating narratives, always on the frontier of reimagining motion graphics through mediums like Instagram story stickers and augmented reality. Before the inception of Anchor Agency, Larry’s rich background included pivotal roles at Facebook and various production and post-production entities, broadening his mastery not only in motion graphics but in the integration of design within the fabric of social media. Fuelled by a fervent passion for design and entrepreneurship, Larry embarked on creating Anchor Agency. As its guiding force, he’s steered the company to collaborate with illustrious clients such as Meta, Zespri, TikTok, and the Singapore Tourism Board, among others. Anchor Agency’s portfolio, marked by illustrated animations and motion graphic content spanning 2D and 3D realms, exemplifies its commitment to pushing the boundaries of animation through inventive use of new media.

Yuting Zhang, the founding principal and design director at Studio RE+N, exemplifies the studio’s “衍述” (Yan Shu) philosophy, an approach that intertwines evolving narratives with the spatial essence. She holds a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Architecture from Tsinghua University. As a registered architect in California and a member of prestigious institutions like AIA, RIBA, IIDA, and LEED AP BD+C, Yuting bridges Eastern and Western perspectives in urban, architectural, and interior design. Her work is celebrated with the ACDA Platinum Winner, AMP Architecture Masterprize, and A’ Design Award etc. Yuting’s career spans significant roles at Gensler and her current leadership at Studio RE+N. She has been instrumental in projects like the Dalinggen Village Tea House, reflecting her ability to blend architectural finesse with cultural sensitivity. In her capacity at Studio RE+N, she oversees a range of projects, embodying her commitment to user-centric, environmentally conscious designs that resonate with local narratives while embracing global trends. Her contributions extend beyond design and into the realms of education and community engagement. As a mentor at Harvard GSD, she shapes future architects, fostering innovation and creative thinking. Yuting’s involvement in the Cambridge Historical Commission demonstrates her dedication to preserving architectural heritage. She has also shared her expertise as a jury member for the AIA regional and urban design award, underscoring her stature in the field. Yuting’s global influence is further underscored by her participation in exhibitions like the Venice Biennale and DesignTO, and her presentations at international forums, including the UIA Conference, highlighting her commitment to narrate and interpret the tales of a place and redefining spaces with a thoughtful, inclusive approach.

Paul Vincent Wiseman has an innate talent for design — one that is enhanced by training and life experience but never taught. This is evident in the quality and scope of projects from his interior design studio, The Wiseman Group, founded in San Francisco in 1980. Paul was born in the rich delta country of California’s Sacramento Valley. His years in an agricultural community have made him both sensible and grounded. After studying at the University of California-Berkeley, his zest for travel took him all over the world. By his mid-twenties, he had lived for extended periods in both France and Australia where he realized his passion for design. Direct, thoughtful exposure to the disparate cultures of the world has allowed Paul to be truthful to what is authentic. His cultural awareness helps him avoid a common design mistake of forcing elements that simply do not fit the story of a property. His global perspective on design is eclectic. Paul deeply appreciates history, culture, art, and architecture. This love, paired with exposure to fine decorative arts through travel, has inspired his patronage of superb craftspeople. Paul’s personality is an asset to his work. His sharp intelligence is paired with a warm, easy-going manner, engendering confidence, and trust. Paul can work closely with his clients, helping them clarify their design goals and determine how their living space might best serve their needs. He is also a talented leader, guiding the firm in determining the aesthetic direction of projects. Paul is committed to the environment and the importance of sustainable development and whenever possible, projects are designed per LEED guidelines. Thus, there is an overarching intellectual truth and honesty to his approach. When the work is complete, each property flows seamlessly both inside and out, is in harmony with its owner’s wishes, and is respectful of the environment. This accomplishment is the mark of an evolved professional and a true design artist.

“You’re remembered for the rules you break”; this is at the heart of Daryl Villanueva’s radically designed, mind-bending cars and motorcycles. His irreverence towards bureaucracy and design trends free him and his team to leapfrog into the future. “Our cars and motorcycles symbolize possibilities and I think that’s why so many collectors, museums and individuals gravitate towards our work,” Daryl says. From the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles to the the Gallery of Modern Art in Australia, Daryl’s work is exhibited in prestigious museums and galleries in all continents of the globe. Interest in Daryl’s vehicles extend outside the automotive industry. LVMH’s Le Bon Marche in Paris and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong both sought to collaborate with Daryl to create exclusive pieces for their luxury houses. Apart from Bandit9, Daryl serves as the director of VAN DARYL, his new coachbuilding firm, and Deschain & Co., a premium lutherie guitar company recently founded by Daryl. But Daryl dedicates most of time to his family. He credits his wife and his son for driving him beyond what he ever thought possible.

Xiaobi (Iris) Pan is a Silicon Valley-based designer, artist, and technologist. She is a globally renowned leader in Emerging Technology Design, recognized for her innovative contributions to the field. As the inventor of a sound interactive installation that has attracted over 1 million participants, the app that aims at planting 100 million trees by 2025, and numerous cutting-edge new technology products, her work stands at the intersection of design, technology, business, and social impacts. Currently, she works as a Lead Designer at Amazon, where she leverages Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence to enhance consumer experiences for both business and societal benefits. She has delivered design lectures at prestigious institutions and conferences, including Harvard, Yale, Tsinghua, ACCD, IIT, Berklee School of Music, etc., as well as at companies like Apple Inc. She has also served as a jury member for over 20 international design awards. Beyond that, she also runs a popular design blog with 220,000 followers on Zhihu, where her insights on design, technology, and their social impact have reached over 25 million readers globally.

Alberto Ribeiro has been a dedicated architect since 2006. In 2011, he established A2OFFICE, a studio dedicated to producing top-tier projects for individual clients, businesses, and investors. Among the notable accolades he’s received, in 2022, he earned a Gold accolade at the Architecture & Design Collection Awards for the “Casa da Vilarinha” project in the “Private Residence Medium Architecture Built” category by the ADC – Architecture & Design Community. That same year, he was awarded a Silver accolade for the “CR.IS Apartment” project in the “Residential Interior Design Built” category by ADC. Furthermore, his “CR.IS Apartment” project was also recognized with a Gold accolade in the “Residential Apartment Interior” category at the International Interior Design Awards, organized by APR – Architecture Press Release. Another feather in his cap that year was the Silver accolade for the “JoLa House” project in the “Private Residential Interior Built” category by APR.

Jiaru Lin, a Senior Art Director at KMC Corp. in New York, is a distinguished creative force, collaborating with iconic brands such as Tom Ford, GUCCI, Louis Vuitton, Coach, ZARA, Balmain, Comme des Garçons, Maison Margiela, and many more. Her design excellence is recognized globally, earning prestigious honors such as the iF International Design Award from Germany, the A’ Design International Award from Italy, and the ADAA/Adobe Design Achievement Awards from the USA, among 15 other international distinctions. Serving as a judge in 12 design juries, including esteemed panels like the ADC Art Directors Club Awards Jury, Indigo Design Awards Jury, and iLuxury Muse Awards Jury, further showcases her industry influence. Originally from Taiwan, Jiaru holds an MS degree in Communications/Packaging Design from Pratt Institute in New York. Her diverse portfolio spans art direction, product design, packaging design, graphic design, digital/social media design, visual merchandising, store design, jewelry design, and teaching. Beyond her multifaceted design expertise, she is engaged in sustainability, artificial intelligence, crypto, science, volunteering, travel, and culinary exploration worldwide. Certified in the AI Products and Services program from MIT, Jiaru showcases a dedication to innovation. Her boundless curiosity and passion for life are integral to her creative approach.

Gloria Cabral, a Paraguayan/Brazilian architect, blends her rich cultural heritage with a commitment to sustainable design. Educated at the Universidad Nacional de Asunción, she has been a key figure at Gabinete de Arquitectura, where she practiced for 17 years. Her work spans multiple countries, focusing on material reuse and resource economy, evident in projects like the recycled brick installations. Gloria has garnered numerous accolades, including the Golden Lion at the 2016 Venice Biennale and the 2021 Global Award for Sustainable Architecture. Her contributions extend beyond architecture to education, having delivered over 70 lectures worldwide and serving as a juror for prestigious awards.

Serhii Makhno, a prolific architect, designer, ceramist, and collector, stands at the forefront of the modern Ukrainian design movement. With a career spanning over two decades, his multidisciplinary expertise manifests in more than 600 projects spread across 25 countries, earning him and his studio recognition on the global stage. His studio, an embodiment of his multifaceted vision, houses a ceramic workshop, furniture, and lighting design atelier, and a team of adept architects and designers. Serhii’s creations, whether in architecture or objets d’art, are deeply influenced by the Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetic. This philosophy resonates in his works, especially his series of lights, which are characterized by their textured, sculptural silhouettes. Each ceramic piece, crafted by hand in his Kyiv studio, undergoes meticulous glazing processes to achieve its distinct textured appearance. Marrying contemporary design with age-old traditions, Serhii seamlessly weaves his Ukrainian cultural and design heritage with inspirations drawn from the timeless beauty of nature. MAKHNO Studio has been lauded as the winner in numerous Ukrainian and international design competitions.