2nd International Conference

on Design & Industry

25-27 March 2026

District C, Guimarães, PORTUGAL

Design for Different Futures

Learning with Nature​

About the 2nd Edition

In a rapidly transforming world, the second edition of DESIGN COMMIT is set to break boundaries, fostering a dynamic relationship between design, industry, and nature. As a global platform for dialogue and collaboration, this in-person event brings together visionary researchers, pioneering designers, creative academics, forward-thinking technology companies, startups, business associations, and policymakers.

The 2026 edition embraces the theme “Design for Different Futures | Learning with Nature,” reinforcing the need to integrate nature’s intelligence into design and industry. DESIGN COMMIT 2026 cultivates an ecosystem where innovation and sustainability are not opposing forces but interconnected drivers of progress. By exploring cutting-edge materials, AI-driven design, and regenerative systems, we seek to reimagine the future of design and industry—one where creativity, responsibility, and resilience shape a world in harmony with nature.

Through interdisciplinary exchange and knowledge-sharing, the event serves as a catalyst for transformative ideas, empowering participants to co-create solutions that align with both technological advancements and the urgent need for environmental and social responsibility.

Our Purpose

At the heart of DESIGN COMMIT 2026 lies a fundamental commitment: to redefine the role of design as a force for sustainability, inclusion, and resilience. Our purpose is to challenge conventional models and explore how nature-inspired solutions, biomimicry, and circular economy principles can drive innovation across industries.

Aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda, this edition is dedicated to fostering regenerative practices, ethical production, and responsible technological integration. We will address urgent global challenges—climate change, digital inclusion, and sustainable manufacturing—by leveraging research, experimentation, and collaboration to push the boundaries of design’s impact on society and the environment.

As we navigate a world shaped by unprecedented challenges, DESIGN COMMIT 2026 is a call to action: embrace nature’s wisdom, harness emerging technologies, and co-create a future where design is a tool for innovation and a catalyst for planetary well-being.

Updated 29/02/2024

Conference Chairs

General Chair

Maria João Félix
School of Design, Polytechnic Institute of Cavado and Ave, and Research & Education in Design research group (REDES) from the Center for Research in Architecture Urbanism and Design (CIAUD).

mfelix@ipca.pt

 
Chair

Fátima Pombo

Department of Communication and Art of University of Aveiro, and Design for Ecosystemic Spaces Research Group (OIKOS) from the Research Institute for Design, Media and Culture (ID+).
fpombo@ua.pt

 
Chair

Paulo Cruz

School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho and Research & Education in Design and Technology Group (DeTech) from the Laboratory of Landscape, Heritage and Territory (Lab2PT)

pcruz@eaad.uminho.pt

Chair

Fernando Moreira da Silva
Lisbon School of Architecture (FA ULisboa) and Research & Education in Design research group (REDES) from the Center for Research in Architecture Urbanism and Design (CIAUD).

fms.fautl@gmail.com

 
Chair

Rita Almendra
Lisbon School of Architecture (FA ULisboa) and Research & Education in Design research group (REDES) from the Center for Research in Architecture Urbanism and Design (CIAUD).

almendra@fa.ulisboa.pt

Scientific Editorial Commitee

Maria João Félix

School of Design, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave (PT)

 

Fátima Pombo

Department of Communication and Art of University of Aveiro (PT)

 

Fernando Moreira da Silva

Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon  (PT)

Paulo Cruz

School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho (PT)

 

Rita Assoreira Almendra

Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

Scientific Commitee

Afonso Nuno R. de Pinto Borges

University of Aveiro (PT)

Alba Cappellieri

Politecnico Di Milano (IT)

Alexandra Cruchinho

Lusófona University, Lisbon (PT)

Álvaro M. Sampaio

School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho (PT)

Ana Tudichum Vasconcelos

Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lisbon (PT)

Ana Moreira da Silva

Research Center for Architecture, Urbanism and Design, Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

Anders V. Munch

University of Southern Denmark (DK)

Annette Svaneklink Jakobsen

University of Southern Denmark (DK)

António Gil Andrade Campos

University of Aveiro (PT)

António Gorgel Pinto

IADE ­- Universidade Europeia (PT)

Bárbara Coutinho

Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon (PT)

Bartolomeu Paiva

Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra (PT)

Bernardo Providência

University of Minho (PT)

Bettina Maisch

Munich University of Applied Sciences (DE)

Carla Cristina da Costa Pereira

Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

Carlos Alberto Miranda Duarte

IADE – Universidade Europeia (PT)

Carlos Rosa

IADE – Universidade Europeia (PT)

Cláudia Viegas

ESTeSL — Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa (PT)

Cristina Carvalho

Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

Cristina Isabel dos Santos

Polytechnic Institute of Beja (PT)

Daniel Brandão

University of Minho (PT)

Daniel Raposo

Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco (PT)

Dijon De Moraes

Minas Gerais State University (BR)

Eduardo Jorge Henriques Noronha

University of Aveiro (PT)

Elisabete Rosado Rolo

Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

Emílio Manuel Távora Vilar

Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lisbon (PT)

Ermanno Aparo

Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (PT)

Eva Oliveira

School of Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave (PT)

Fernando Manuel Penitência Poeiras

Caldas da Rainha School of Arts and Design, Polytechnic of Leiria (PT)

Francisco Gonçalves

Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave (PT)

Gabriela Forman

Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

Gianni Montagna

Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

Giovanni Maria Conti

Politecnico di Milano – Design Department (IT)

Gonçalo João Ribeiro Gomes

University of Aveiro (PT)

Hande Ayanoğlu

IADE – Universidade Europeia (PT)

Heitor Manuel Cunha e Alvelos

Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Porto (PT)

Helena Bártolo

Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (PT)

Huang Qian

School of Architecture and Planning, Hunan University (CN)

Hugo José A. Teixeira Lopes Farias

Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

Jeremy Hugh Aston

ESAD – College of Art and Design (PT)

Joana Quental

University of Aveiro (PT)

João Batalheiro Ferreira

IADE – Universidade Europeia (PT)

João Carlos Monteiro Martins

Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (PT)

João Vasco Matos Neves

Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco (PT)

José Carlos Sá

School of Engineering of Porto (PT)

José Manuel Silveira Dias

Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

José Mendes Machado

University of Minho (PT)

José Miguel Gago da Silva

School of Arts, University of Évora (PT)

José Rui Marcelino

Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

Katja Tschimmel

University of Porto (PT)

Lígia Maria Pinto Lopes

Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto (PT)

Liliana Soares

Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (PT)

Lisha Ren

College of Design and Innovation (CN)

Louise Valentine

Heriot Watt University Dubai Campus (AE)

Luis Carlos Paschoarelli

São Paulo State University (BR)

Luís Mota

Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (PT)

Luísa Rita Brites Sanches Salvado

University of Beira Interior (PT)

Manuel Gilberto Freitas Santos

School of Design, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave (PT)

Marco António Neves da Silva

Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

Maria Emília Capucho Duarte

IADE – Universidade Europeia (PT)

Maria Inês Costa da Veiga

Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

Maria Inês Secca Ruivo

University of Évora (PT)

Maria João Bravo Lima Delgado

Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

Maria Raquel N. Casal Pelayo

Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto (PT)

Maria Sílvia Barros de Held

University of São Paulo (BR)

Mariana Eidler Diaz

Elisava, Barcelona School of Design and Eginnering / FORK, The Food Design Organization (ES)

Miguel Carvalhais

i2ADS & Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto (PT)

Miguel de Aboim Borges

ISMAT – Instituto Superior Manuel Teixeira Gomes (PT)

Mónica Pereira Reis de Matos Romãozinho

University of Beira Interior (PT)

Nuno Martins

School of Design, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave (PT)

Patrizia Ranzo

Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” (IT)

Paula Trigueiros

School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho (PT)

Paulo António dos Santos Silva 

University of Aveiro (PT)

Paulo Jorge da Silva Bartolo

Nanyang Technological University (SG)

Paulo Maldonado

University of Évora (PT)

Pedro Nuno Kosztyla Bandeira Maia

Coimbra School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra (PT)

Renato Jorge C. Lopes Bispo

Caldas da Rainha School of Arts and Design, Polytechnic of Leiria (PT)

Renee Wever

Linköping University (SE)

Ricardo Bonacho

Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology, at Universidade Europeia (PT)

Ricardo João Ferreira Simões

School of Design, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave (PT)

Rui Carlos Costa

University of Aveiro (PT)

Rute Andreia Lourenço Gomes

Research Center for Architecture, Urbanism and Design, Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT)

Sara Patrícia Martins Gancho

IADE – Universidade Europeia (PT)

Silvina Félix da Silva

University of Aveiro (PT)

Soraia Luísa Pereira Pinto Ala

Aveiro North Higher School,University of Aveiro (PT)

Susana Cruz Barreto

University of Porto (PT)

Tenna Doktor Olsen Tvedebrink

Aalborg University, Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology (DK)

Terence Love

University of Tehran, Kish. Design Out Crime and CPTED Centre, and Variety Dynamics (AU)

Vera Lúcia Vintém Barradas Martins

Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre (PT)

Vasco Afonso da Silva Branco

Department of Communication and Art of University of Aveiro (PT)

Violeta Clemente

University of Aveiro (PT)

Organization Commitee

Daniel Raposo

Diogo Riobom

Fátima Pombo

Fernando Moreira da Silva

Guilherme Cruz

Maria João Félix

Paulo Cruz

Pedro Bandeira Maia

Ricardo Simões

Rita Almendra

Rita da Cruz Tavares

Rogério Ribeiro

Sónia Seixas

Suzana Dias

Verónica Duarte

Honorary Commitee

FULL PROFESSOR OF THE LISBON SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

Carlos Francisco Lucas Dias Coelho

 

PRESIDENT OF THE POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE OF CÁVADO AND AVE

Maria José Fernandes

 

RECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF AVEIRO

Paulo Jorge Ferreira

 

PRESIDENT OF THE POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE OF CASTELO BRANCO

António Fernandes

RECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINHO

Rui Vieira de Castro

 

PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Maria Madalena dos Santos Alves

 

MAYOR OF BRAGA CITY COUNCIL

Ricardo Bruno Antunes Machado Rio

Volunteers/Students

Coming soon…

Credits

Design and Art Direction

Nuno Martins

Communication Design

Rita da Cruz Tavares

Rogério Ribeiro

Web Design

Rita da Cruz Tavares

Rogério Ribeiro

Event Organization Partners

Be Formal

Fátima Ribeiro
Manuela Sequeira Campos