The last two years have brought to the surface a whole new set of worldviews, coping mechanisms, and innovative thinking focused on routine, security, and hope. In this complex period, the world’s population has faced economic difficulties, and the medical and emotional ramifications caused by one of the mostly widely used words during the last 18 months – pandemic. Despite that we were forced to confront countless types of uncertainties, one phenomenon has remained unflinchingly stable - the new reality in which we find ourselves. During this time, the world of design in general was forced to redefine itself, to identify new areas of activity, and to secure its relevance in a world in which the priorities have changed.  First and foremost, we found ourselves dealing primarily with survival: economic, emotional, social, and cultural. In the middle of this shifting and complex climate, the relevance and importance of social design, and design for humankind, has proven that these issues are here to stay for the foreseeable future. We are therefore calling for a redefinition of our direction, and reframing of what is truly important to us, and how design and designers can and should contribute to this redefinition.

At this annual Department conference, we will present innovative thinking and new concepts focusing on the design efforts of future designers, by focusing on four themes under the umbrella concept of “Make it Count” – in healthcare and medicine, education and research, people and communities, and industry. During the conference, five world-renowned designers will present their latest ideas, along with several of our key graduates who will present their final projects. Amid the current cloud of uncertainty that envelopes us, come and see how the future will look and what really matters.