Business of Design Week 2025 Wraps Up with Major Success in Hong Kong

Business of Design Week 2025 Concludes Successfully

The Business of Design Week (BODW) 2025 Summit, a premier event focused on design and innovation in Asia, marked its successful conclusion at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on December 5. With the theme "Curiosity Provokes Design Innovation," the three-day summit saw participation from nearly 50 international experts across various fields, including eyewear, jewelry, automobiles, sports, and more, drawing over 15,000 live participants along with a substantial global online audience.

This year's BODW prominently featured Italy as its partner country, fostering cross-disciplinary innovation driven by curiosity, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a central hub within the global design community. As a "Super-Connector", Hong Kong continues to play a vital role in enhancing dialogues between different cultures, notably between the East and West.

Event Highlights and Themes

The summit was organized under the sponsorship of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) and encompassed six key thematic pillars: Urban Visions, Mobility Revolution, Crafted Living, Luxury Reimagined, Innovating with AI Technology, and Cultural Innovation Creativity. Keynote speeches, panels, and engaging discussions showcased thought leadership in addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities within these domains.

To further facilitate communication, the event introduced AI-powered live interpretation in ten languages, ensuring that a diverse range of participants could contribute to and gain insights from the sessions. The concurrent bodw Future Lab program promoted experimental, collaborative exchanges among participants, highlighting generational and cross-cultural dialogues, particularly between Hong Kong and Italy.

During the closing remarks, Ms. Carmelo Ficarra, the Consul General of Italy in Hong Kong and Macao SAR, expressed gratitude for the partnership and shared positive feedback received from participants and speakers, indicating a deep appreciation for the collaboration and exchanges achieved throughout the year.

Prof. Viveca Chan, Vice Chairman of HKDC, reflected on the successful collaborations over the previous year, emphasizing the mutual inspirations that flowed between Italian and Hong Kong designers through their rich heritage, modern designs, and innovative technologies.

Looking Ahead: BODW 2026

Exciting plans are already in motion for the next BODW, with Switzerland set to be the partner country for 2026. This will mark the first time Switzerland is featured officially in this capacity, and it aims to introduce its tradition of precision craftsmanship and innovative design thinking to the Hong Kong stage.

Mr. Daniel Freihofer, the Consul General of Switzerland in Hong Kong SAR, shared his excitement for this new partnership, highlighting the complementary traits that both locations share and how this collaboration will showcase Swiss design excellence across multiple disciplines.

Key Sessions and Insights

Notable sessions from BODW 2025 included discussions led by renowned figures in the design community. For instance, Dr. Carlo Ratti emphasized the importance of design thinking and cross-disciplinary approaches to tackle global challenges like climate change. His keynote focused on how adaptive design can create responsive solutions for environments, such as autonomous boats tailored for urban canals.

In another insightful session on Crafted Living, industrial designer Min Chen discussed bridging tradition with modern design, showcasing how heritage can inspire contemporary aesthetics while still maintaining relevance in today's design narrative.

Panels focused on luxury reimagined covered the evolution of consumer values post-pandemic, noting a shift toward design that resonates more with personal quality and meaningful experiences.

Furthermore, discussions on integrating AI technology within design pointed towards a future where technology amplifies human connectivity rather than replaces it, underscoring the importance of storytelling and preserving the human touch in design practices.

Community Engagement and Cultural Impact

The breadth of topics and engaging formats at BODW 2025 facilitated an enriching environment for networking and professional growth. Attendees expressed a renewed sense of curiosity and creative inspiration, making it clear that BODW remains a vital platform for fostering innovative dialogue within the design sector.

As the event wrapped up, it left participants looking forward to the upcoming developments in 2026, where they anticipate fresh inspirations from Switzerland's design community that will further invigorate Hong Kong's dynamic design landscape.