The Future of Design and Care: Reflections from Design Futures Forum 2024

This week I attended the Design Futures Forum (DFF) 2024 organised by DesignSingapore Council , during Singapore Design Week.

This year’s forum expanded its program to address pressing issues at the core of our society today—what it means to be human in a rapidly digitising world, and how design can shape a healthier, more sustainable future for all beings.? I was struck by the depth and range of discussions about the intersection of technology, sustainability, and healthcare design.

Many of us today asked ourselves: What can we do as designers, technologists, and innovators to ensure that health and well-being become default experiences through design interventions?

In reflecting on the discussions from the forum, here are my takeaways that left me with many "ah-ha" moments.

Segment 1: Design for the Future of Emerging Tech

As we look toward the future, one of the central questions shaping innovation is: What does it mean to be human in an increasingly AI-driven world? This was the key theme of Segment 1: Design for the Future of Emerging Tech, curated by Debra Langley , during the Design Futures Forum 2024. Held as part of Singapore Design Week, this segment explored the dynamic intersection of emerging technology and human ingenuity. Industry leaders presented their perspectives on how we can navigate a world where AI and design will increasingly shape our lives, jobs, and interactions.

A New Era of Creativity: AI as a Co-Pilot

Lindsey McInerney , founder of Black Sun Labs , captured the attention of the audience with her thought-provoking question: Is creativity dead in the age of AI? Her answer was clear: Creativity is not dead—far from it—it’s evolving.

Lindsey, a humanities graduate, described how her background in English has shaped her ability to think critically and apply humanistic knowledge to the tech world. She explained that while AI excels at performing tasks like solving math problems or writing code, it lacks the serendipity, spontaneity, and lived experiences that fuel true human creativity. AI is inside-the-box thinking, limited by the parameters we set, whereas humans are outside-the-box thinkers, driven by emotion, inspiration, and the ability to dream.

Rather than stifling creativity, Lindsey argued, AI has the potential to amplify it. “AI is like steroids for human creativity,” she said, explaining that AI can optimise our performance by taking over routine tasks, allowing humans to explore deeper, more imaginative pursuits. Her call to action for designers was to embrace AI as a co-pilot in the creative process, helping to expand the boundaries of what’s possible.

Lindsey identified three core ideas for moving forward in this AI-driven era:

1. AI as an enhancer of human creativity: How can AI support your work and make your creative process more efficient?

2. Collaboration across disciplines: To fully harness AI’s potential, we need design thinkers, policy-makers, philosophers, and educators working alongside technologists.

3. Being unapologetically human: AI will never replicate the richness of human experience. It’s the lived experiences, emotions, and dreams that will continue to make humans the Shakespearean storytellers and visionary filmmakers of the future.

The Revolution of Spatial Computing

Cathy Hackl , an authority on spatial computing, joined virtually via Beem, offering a glimpse into how this technology will revolutionise human-to-human and human-to-computer interaction. Cathy believes spatial computing will blur the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds, adapting to how humans operate in real life.

When asked about the relationship between spatial computing and generative AI, Cathy emphasised that the two must be integrated thoughtfully to be truly useful in the physical world. She challenged the dystopian narratives around AI and urged the audience to embrace optimism about the potential for these technologies to enrich our lives and industries.

Humanising Technology: A Panel Discussion

In a panel moderated by Debra, leaders in tech and design, including Jeremy Ang (BytePlus), Alex Govoreanu eanu (Questo), Philipp Kandal dal (Grab), and Lindsey, explored how AI will influence design and the skills future designers need. One of the recurring themes was the humanisation of technology. Jeremy spoke about the potential of voice intelligence and gesture activation to create technologies that complement, rather than disrupt, human life.

Alex emphasised that imagination is key for the designers of tomorrow. In a world where AI can answer almost any factual question, the ability to ask imaginative questions and think creatively will set designers apart.

Philipp took a bold stance, stating that AI will not replace humans—but humans who embrace AI will replace those who refuse to use it. He stressed the importance of curiosity and pushing boundaries. In his view, innovation comes from those who are not afraid to ask “stupid questions,” because AI doesn’t judge—giving us freedom to explore ideas that might otherwise go unspoken.

Lindsey’s key concern was that businesses are overestimating AI’s capabilities, expecting too much too quickly. She highlighted the need for businesses to understand that AI should be a support tool, not a panacea. Philipp echoed these sentiments, emphasising that no single entity can dominate the AI space—AI literacy needs to spread across industries and sectors to ensure a balanced approach.

Empowering Future Generations: AI Literacy and Critical Thinking

The panel raised an important point about AI literacy for the next generation. Today’s children, unlike previous generations, grow up in a world where answers to nearly every question are at their fingertips, thanks to AI.

Alex remarked that children now have access to endless knowledge beyond their parents’ experiences, but this shift requires rethinking education. Instead of restricting AI usage, educators should focus on fostering critical thinking—helping children to use AI tools wisely and creatively.

Listening to them, I likened their logic to the arrival of the calculator in schools: rather than banning them, teachers had to adjust their teaching methods. Similarly, AI offers access to knowledge we’ve never had before, and the key is teaching future generations how to use it effectively.

Takeaways for Designers in the AI Era

The conversation left me reflecting on what skills and experiences are essential for designers navigating this AI revolution. As Philipp eloquently put it, the best way to alleviate fear is to build familiarity with AI. Lindsey urged us to ask the right questions, ensuring that AI supports human creativity without overshadowing it. Jeremy Ang emphasised that designers must think about how they can best use AI to complement human-centered design.

Designing for the Future of Sustainability: A Conversation on Regenerative Futures

How can we design systems and practices that actively regenerate the planet?

This was the key question posed in Segment 2: Design for the Future of Sustainability, curated by Aric Chen at the Design Futures Forum 2024, during Singapore Design Week. The session provided a fascinating and much-needed deep dive into the regenerative practices that aim not just to minimise ecological damage but to reverse it—moving from being “less bad” to “doing good.”

Throughout the session, the speakers explored how design can offer net-positive effects for the environment. The discussion expanded the definition of sustainability by introducing more-than-human perspectives, acknowledging that the future of our planet depends on including the needs of non-human life in design thinking. Let’s explore some key insights from the conversation.

Beyond Sustainability: Toward Regeneration

Mitchell Joachim , co-founder of Terreform ONE and Professor at NYU, passionately argued, our planet’s current trajectory is simply not sustainable. The idea of "being less bad" is no longer enough. We must move toward regenerative design—practices that go beyond minimising harm to actually healing the planet. Joachim posed a compelling question to the audience: What does a green city of the future look like?

Joachim’s vision of a socio-ecological city involves communities and ecosystems that are intertwined, with green architecture that not only reduces environmental impact but fosters biodiversity. He argued that cities of the future must be designed to support both human and non-human life. This involves rethinking urban spaces entirely, integrating natural systems in ways that improve air quality, enhance urban agriculture, and restore ecosystems. Joachim’s vision emphasises that regenerative design is not about incremental change—it’s about imagining bold, entirely new ways of living.

Building Strong Communities through Regenerative Spaces

Zac Toh , founder of GWS Living Art and City Sprouts, took the concept of regeneration one step further, introducing projects that bridge the gap between sustainability and community building. One standout example is Totem, a project designed to attract specific plants that support biodiversity while also serving as functional urban spaces.

Zac highlighted the importance of making local food sources and green spaces a fundamental part of urban life. These spaces not only help biodiversity flourish but also reconnect people to their environments and food sources. Zac noted that "building a strong community is something that money cannot buy." His work underscores the idea that regeneration isn’t just about healing ecosystems—it’s about creating spaces that bring people together and foster a sense of responsibility for the environment.

Zac left the audience with a simple but powerful message: “We need to create green spaces and build a sustainable future.” This aligns with the broader theme of the session—design must be holistic, considering both ecological health and community well-being.

From Anthropocentric to Ecocentric Design

Katharina Mischer and Thomas Traxler, co-founders of mischer‘traxler studio, presented a thought-provoking shift in design thinking from anthropocentric to ecocentric. Their work emphasises the need to "grant nature the respect it deserves." Drawing on their project Real Limited, they explored how design can shift perspectives by considering nature as an equal stakeholder in the creative process.

One of the most compelling parts of their discussion was around nature’s rights. Katharina and Thomas introduced the idea that nature has rights independent of human beings, an idea championed by environmental thinkers like Michaele Kramer. They challenged the audience to imagine a world where AI could be trained to respond as part of the ecosystem, helping us better understand how to balance human needs with ecological health.

Their conversation about animal-aided design highlighted the complexities of these issues. They referenced examples like animal bridges built over motorways, designed to help wildlife cross safely. However, I know that the Netherlands has tried this method before and it seemed many animals did not use the bridge. Quite a few of the will still trying to cross the motorway and getting run over. This made me wonder why. Was it because many animals don’t trust or use these bridges? This then raises the question: Are we solving the right problem? Rather than assuming what animals or ecosystems need, Mitchell argued, we need to better understand their habitats and reverse human encroachment on nature.

Rethinking Nature in Design

One of the most striking moments of the session was Hwang Yu Ming, CEO of the National Parks Board, who reminded us that sometimes the best design decision is to leave nature alone. Hwang emphasised that there are certain areas of nature that should be left to regenerate without human intervention. Mitchell Joachim added, "We need to reverse direction by understanding their habitat," signaling a need to move from a human-centered view of design to one that fully embraces nature’s wisdom and autonomy.

Mitchell Joachim also added, “We need policies that protect life that is thriving, not just life that is on the brink of extinction.” This challenge, to do good rather than just do less harm, is the future of sustainable design.

The session ended on a poignant note, with the moderator concluding: “Design is often about solving problems, but what is one person’s solution can be another’s problem.” This underscored the importance of contextual design, especially when it involves complex ecosystems and the myriad forms of life they support.

The session left me with the realisation that designing for sustainability is no longer about reducing our negative footprint—it’s about creating a positive one. By embracing regenerative design, we can help ecosystems flourish, build resilient communities, and create a more harmonious relationship between humans and nature. As we move forward, the question remains: How will designers lead the charge in building a future that regenerates rather than depletes the world around us?

Design for the Future of Care: How Fashion and Technology are Shaping the Healthcare Landscape

As life expectancy continues to rise, and the likelihood of babies born today living beyond 100 years increases, the critical question is not just how long can we live, but how well can we live.

This dilemma formed the foundation of Segment 3: Design for the Future of Care, curated by Tamsin Greulich-Smith at the Design Futures Forum 2024. With the convergence of medical science, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors impacting our health, the focus of this session was to explore how design can play a pivotal role in enabling people to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

The panel brought together industry experts to discuss how the future of care will be shaped by fashion, technology, and thoughtful design interventions, ensuring that the healthcare of tomorrow is integrated seamlessly into the way we live today.

Medical Wearables: Fashion Meets Function

As a speaker in the session, I, Muchaneta ten Napel, had the privilege of discussing how medical wearable garments are revolutionising healthcare. As we move forward, the marriage between fashion and technology has the potential to turn our everyday clothes into tools that can monitor, diagnose, and manage our health.

The core question I posed to the audience was: Are these medical wearable garments the emperor's new clothes, or are they truly game-changers in the healthcare industry? It’s clear to me that they are the latter—transformative pieces of technology that are just scratching the surface of their potential.

What are Medical Wearables Garments?

At their core, medical wearables are garments embedded with smart sensors that monitor vital signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature. These garments are designed to gather real-time data, offering healthcare professionals the opportunity to monitor patients remotely and detect anomalies before they escalate.

I shared a personal story about how I use wearable tech to monitor my father's health via my phone. Just a decade ago, the idea of having real-time health data at our fingertips would have seemed far-fetched. Today, it’s a reality. Not only can I ensure my father takes his medication, but if something goes wrong, healthcare providers can be alerted before a minor issue becomes a serious one.

The Promise of Smart Fashion

I believe that the next frontier in healthcare lies in the clothes we wear. Imagine a world where the shirt on your back can track your heart rate, your jacket can monitor your glucose levels, and your socks can analyse your posture—all in real-time.

During my presentation, I showcased a video that illustrated the power of preventative health wearables. The key takeaway is simple: these devices are more than just fashionable—they have the potential to save lives by alerting users to potential health risks before they escalate.

One example I shared was the case of Sarah, a fictional woman with Type 1 diabetes. Sarah had long relied on traditional finger-prick tests to monitor her blood sugar levels, but these tests provided only a snapshot of her health. When Sarah switched to a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), a wearable device that tracks glucose levels 24/7, her ability to manage her condition improved drastically. With real-time alerts and data insights, Sarah could take immediate action to prevent dangerous spikes or drops in her blood sugar levels, reducing hospital visits and improving her quality of life.

The Future is in Our Hands (Or Clothes)

But we’re only at the beginning. What’s next for smart clothing? Imagine wearable patches integrated into garments that not only monitor chronic conditions but also adapt to changes in the environment. Smart jackets could one day monitor air quality and warn the wearer of dangerous pollution levels. AI-driven textiles could adjust to body temperature, helping regulate heat and improve circulation.

These ideas may sound futuristic, but the technology to make them a reality is closer than we think. AI? and data are the drivers behind this transformation, offering a world where personalised healthcare is embedded into our daily lives, guiding us to make better health decisions without the need for constant doctor visits.

As I wrapped up my talk, I left the audience with one key message: the future of healthcare isn’t just in clinics or hospitals—it’s in the clothes we wear and the spaces we inhabit. The time to act is now. Whether you're a designer, a healthcare provider, or a consumer, there is a role for you in shaping the future of care.

The Role of Design in Future Care

The potential for design-led healthcare doesn’t end with wearables. We are seeing advancements across multiple areas, from the spaces we live in to the environments we work in, all designed with health in mind. Professor Jeanne Tan , a key speaker in the session, explored the intersection of intelligent textiles and fashion design. She noted that wearable technology should not be about complexity but about creating intuitive designs that require little instruction, much like any other clothing item. Her call to action was simple: design for everyone.

The idea that fashion and healthcare may seem worlds apart was further challenged by Claudia Poh , founder of Wearable. Claudia’s powerful story of how clothing helped Christina, a woman with limited hand use, regain her independence, highlighted the profound impact that thoughtful design can have on quality of life. As she put it: “What we wear can change how we feel about ourselves, so it is important to believe that we can design around seamless important moments.”

The Mind-Body Connection and Waste in Healthcare: The Environmental Impact

Another fascinating part of the session was led by Dr. Esther Sternberg M.D. , who highlighted the mind-body connection. Her research focuses on how designing with nature and understanding the sounds, spaces, and environments we live in can reduce stress, improve sleep, and foster overall well-being. Her insights on how natural environments affect our health were a reminder that care isn’t just about the body—it’s about nurturing mental health too.

The session concluded with Professor Hon Tym Wong drawing attention to the environmental footprint of healthcare. He highlighted the staggering amount of waste generated by medical procedures, revealing that even a 15-minute cataract surgery can create half a bin liner of waste. Professor Wong emphasised the urgent need for the healthcare industry to take responsibility for its environmental impact, underscoring that care must extend beyond patients to include the planet itself.

Final Thoughts: A Call for More-than-Human Perspectives

The Design Futures Forum delivered an inspiring and forward-thinking vision at the intersection of emerging technology and design. As we stand on the brink of an AI-driven revolution, it is crucial to recognise that the true innovation occurs when technology is combined with human creativity. The future of design isn't solely about the tools at our disposal, but how we wield them to expand the boundaries of creativity, critical thinking, and the human experience.

In the second segment, the forum highlighted a profound shift in our understanding of sustainability. Regenerative practices are not just a passing trend; they are fundamental to securing a thriving future for our planet. This involves moving beyond human-centered thinking and embracing more-than-human perspectives. From integrating nature into urban landscapes to creating spaces that foster community and granting rights to non-human life, designers have a pivotal role in restoring and nurturing our environment.

In the realm of wearable technology, smart textiles, and thoughtful design, we already possess the tools to ensure that people live not only longer but healthier and more fulfilling lives. As innovation continues to evolve, we must challenge ourselves to embed more care and health into our everyday lives.

Ultimately, the question we must keep asking is: How can technology and design work together to enhance human life, and how can designers in all industries lead in shaping a future that benefits all?