London Design Festival 2016 – 5 must-see talks

Panel: Graphics and Music: Past, Present and Future

What: If you’re interested in record sleeves and gig posters, head to this panel talk at the V&A exploring the relationship between graphic design and music. Victoria Broackes, co-curator of the new Records and Rebels exhibition at the V&A will be chairing this discussion, and the panel includes Jonathan Barnbrook, the designer behind the late David Bowie’s Blackstar album artwork, and musician Beatie Wolfe.

When: Saturday 17 September, 1.30-2.30pm.

Where: The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, Level 4, Victoria and Albert museum (V&A), London SW7 2RL.

Info: Tickets are £10.75 in advance, and part of LDF’s Global Design Forum. For more information, head here.

Panel: How to be creative and successful when you are dyslexic

What: Is having dyslexia always a learning difficulty, or can it facilitate lateral and creative thinking? Design and architecture writer Grant Gibson chairs this fascinating discussion, which sits alongside Designjunction’s current exhibition, Dyslexic Design, showcasing the work of dyslexic designers. Panelists include illustrator Kristjana S Williams, industrial designer Terence Woodgate, furniture designer Tom Raffield and writer Margaret Rooke.

When: Saturday 24 September, 5-6pm.

Where: The Gallery Room, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG.

Info: This event is free, and part of this year’s Designjunction exhibition and fair. For more information, head here.

Panel: The Power of Packaging

What: Packaging is an incredibly important facet of any public-facing brand, whether it’s luxury Fortnum and Mason’s or mainstream McDonald’s. Are we aware of its ability to influence our decisions? Come along to this Design Week hosted panel which will look at current trends and the future of packaging design, with speakers including key figures from Design Bridge, Pearlfisher and Bulletproof, and packaging specialist Daniel Mason who has worked on record sleeves for artists including Björk, Led Zeppelin and Aphex Twin.

When: Sunday 18 September, 1.30-2.30pm.

Where: The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, V&A museum.

Info: Tickets are £10.75 in advance, and part of LDF’s Global Design Forum. For more information, head here.

Panel: Not just a product – Brand-building in unexpected ways

What: Running a design studio might not just be about producing great work for clients. This panel, chaired by Design Week editor Tom Banks, will look at how you can extend your brand by doing new things, such as running events, or housing a gallery within a studio space. Panelists include NB Studio creative director Nick Finney and Amy Croft, the curator of Sto Werkstatt’s in-house gallery.

When: Wednesday 21 September, 12-1pm.

Where: The Forum, Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, London W14 8UX.

Info: This talk is part of trade show and exhibition 100%Design, which costs £15 for full entry to the show and talks programme. For more information on the talk, head here. For information on how to register for a 100%Design ticket, head here.

Masterclass: Marina Willer – How to survive as a female designer

What: Marina Willer became Pentagram London’s first female partner in 2012, after her time as head creative director at Wolff Olins. In this masterclass, the graphic designer and filmmaker behind branding projects such as the Tate museum, Amnesty International and the Southbank Centre, will be speaking about her experiences as a woman working in a male-dominated industry, and sharing stories of her most famous projects.

When: Sunday 18 September, 3.30-5pm.

Where: The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, V&A museum.

Info: Tickets are £15, and the talk is part of LDF’s Global Design Forum. For more information, head here.

Other talks to catch:

– A discussion between creative partnership Eva Kellenberger and Sebastian White, in conversation with Design Week.
– Designer, Maker, User: A talk looking at the Design Museum’s new permanent display, with panelists including Sebastian Conran.
– A masterclass with Jonathan Barnbrook.
– Made.com: Designing for Small, Urban Spaces: a discussion looking at the increasing population and lack of urban space, and the resulting effects on architecture and design.