The Future of Branding in the Metaverse
The metaverse isn't just a buzzword—it's the future of the internet, and it's just getting started. Anne-Liese Prem is at the forefront of this next wave of digital transformation with tomorrowstories, showcasing how branding will evolve in this emerging digital landscape. Her keynote dives into how AI, immersive tech, and other innovative technologies are merging to revolutionize the way brands engage with audiences. Essential for designers seeking to stay at the forefront, Anne-Liese will unveil the latest tech necessary for maintaining strong, relevant branding in the digital era.

Anne-Liese Prem is the founder and CEO of tomorrowstories, a Communications & PR agency for future-forward brands at the intersection of emerging tech and culture. Anne-Liese has worked internationally in places as diverse as Australia and Uganda, for global brands like Swarovski and Red Bull.She focuses on next generation storytelling, including spatial computing, immersive experiences, gaming and generative AI and collaborates closely with C-suite executives and startups as an advisor, helping them sharpen their future strategy. She is the editor of several trend reports on digital transformation and a speaker at academic institutions and metaverse related events.

Humanizing AI in Design
What happens when we weave AI and humanity together? As generative AI emerges in the zeitgeist, the way we design is dramatically being challenged. In this talk, we explore the question of how we can incorporate AI into our design process not just as a tool, but as a collaborator to create products and experiences that resonate with users. By delving into AI capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations, this conversation will challenge us to rethink our approach to AI in design and ensure that technology serves humanity, not the other way around.

Ziyuan Zhu is a creative technologist working at the intersection of design and emerging technology. At IDEO, a global design company committed to fostering social impact with human-centric design, she helps teams tangibly explore the future of product experience with emerging technologies, including generative AI, data visualization, and XR. Ziyuan is also an affiliate researcher at MIT, where she leads research on integrating technology into climate education. Ziyuan holds a dual master's degree in design study and computer science from MIT.

Social Nature – Designing Cities for People and the Planet
Inspired by the interplay between built and natural environment, BIG’s planning approach responds to climate and societal changes by shaping urban spaces where nature and human realms not only intertwine but also mutually serve and enhance each other. Cities of the future will be designed to improve the quality of life for humans, flora and fauna, recognizing how environmental and social systems we have evolved, and will continue to evolve over time.

Giulia Frittoli was named as BIG Landscape Partner in 2021 and is a key leader within BIG Landscape, joining BIG Copenhagen in 2020 after three years at BIG NYC. A Senior Landscape Architect with a multi-disciplinary background in urban design, architecture and landscape architecture, Giulia led the proposal for Toyota Woven City, investigating how recent technologies will shape the future of cities in regard to new forms of mobility, sustainability, ecology and human connectivity. Giulia first joined BIG in 2017 as project lead for the design of Islais Hyper-Creek proposal for the Resilient by Design competition, exploring solutions to adapt and protect the Bay Area from rain flooding, rising sea levels, and other environmental risks.

The Green Interface: Digital Design with Sustainability in Mind
Explore the unexpected role of digital design in climate change at our talk. As the ICT sector rivals the airline industry in carbon emissions, we'll delve into how sustainable UX principles can be a key driver in reducing this impact. We'll explore strategies for embedding these practices into design processes, fostering synergy between designers and developers for environmentally conscious digital products. Discover innovative methods, real-world examples, and effective metrics for measuring success in our journey towards a more sustainable, greener digital world.

Nadine Clarke, Strategy Partner at Tangent, specialises in crafting strategic initiatives that drive digital transformation across the agency’s brand portfolio. Steering key projects, she ensures that user experience and design meet customer needs, provide significant value for clients, and deliver measurable results. With experience in managing digital programs for global brands like SAP and IWG, her approach sees her exploring the effects of digital shifts on product, process, and people, to deliver tailored outcomes.

Richard Trigg brings over 15 years of experience to his role as a Design Partner at Tangent, where he skilfully manages a team of Product Designers and Engineers to deliver innovative and user-friendly digital products. A graduate of Brunel University, Richard has built a career that took him from British Airways to the forefront of technology sectors, with a steady focus on user experience, research and effective design leadership. His approach is centered on marrying customer experience with technology to develop solutions that not only meet user needs but also drive business success.