Humans are already producing too much stuff but despite that, a vast quantity of products, buildings or services are introduced that fail to satisfactorily achieve their stated function, are badly made, don’t adequately serve their user or become irrelevant after a year or so. Our panellists highlight a few examples of ‘design crimes’ as well as temper their choices with examples of design excellence.

Max Fraser – Design writer and Editorial Director of Dezeen

Max Fraser is the editorial director of Dezeen, joining the company in March 2023. Previously, he has worked as a commentator in the design industry for more than 20 years. He is the author of more than 10 books including the Design UK series, Designers on Design co-authored with Terence Conran, the London Design Guide series as well as monograph titles on Piet Hein Eek, Luca Nichetto and Benjamin Hubert.

In parallel, Fraser has worked internationally as a consultant delivering content and strategy for varied companies and institutions. He was the deputy director of London Design Festival from 2012 to 2015 and has run his own small publishing imprint Spotlight Press since 2009.

Fraser has collaborated on various projects with Dezeen over the years, co-publishing Dezeen Book of Ideas in 2011, instigating the Brexit Design Manifesto in 2016, and judging Dezeen Awards several times.

Mirkku Kullberg, CEO of Paimio Sanatorium and Founder of Glasshouse Helsinki

Mirkku Kullberg, CEO of Paimio Sanatorium and Founder of Glasshouse Helsinki, is a cross-disciplinary thinkeron business and cultural phenomena. She is a design executive with a strong track record in strategy processes, branding, consumer foresight, and restructuring management. Her past experience includes roles as the CEO of the iconic Finnish furniture company Artek, Creative Director for Hotel St. George, Head of the Home Department at Swiss company Vitra, and VP of Poltrona Frau for the Americas. Prior to this, she revamped Finnish design standouts in fashion, such as Nanso and Grünstein. She holds the position of Chair for the Alvar Aalto Foundation and has served as a board member for Finnish and international companies across different sectors.

Mirkku Kullberg is a thought leader in Scandinavian design, an art lover, and a strong believer in responsible growth. She believes that the time has come for artists, designers, architects, scientists, and businesspeople to sit around the same table and start taking meaningful action.

Tej Chauhan, Industrial Designer

Tej Chauhan is the industrial designer and his eponymous practice is known for Emotive Industrial Design. Exploring beyond the prerequisites of beauty and function, his interest lies in the way objects can make us feel. In continuous development for over 20 years, the studio uses his Emotive Industrial Design approach to create iconic product experiences designed to elicit feelings of joy & wellbeing – to create connection.

The event is being run by the Alvar Aalto Foundation, which is a partner of Habitare Pro.