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).
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)
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).
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).
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) |
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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) |
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Bartolomeu Paiva |
Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra (PT) |
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Bernardo Providência |
University of Minho (PT) |
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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) |
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Joana Quental |
University of Aveiro (PT) |
|
João Batalheiro Ferreira |
IADE – Universidade Europeia (PT) |
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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) |
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José Manuel Silveira Dias |
Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT) |
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José Mendes Machado |
University of Minho (PT) |
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José Miguel Gago da Silva |
School of Arts, University of Évora (PT) |
|
José Rui Marcelino |
Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT) |
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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) |
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Louise Valentine |
Heriot Watt University Dubai Campus (AE) |
|
Luis Carlos Paschoarelli |
São Paulo State University (BR) |
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Luís Mota |
Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (PT) |
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Luísa Rita Brites Sanches Salvado |
University of Beira Interior (PT) |
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Manuel Gilberto Freitas Santos |
School of Design, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave (PT) |
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Marco António Neves da Silva |
Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT) |
|
Maria Emília Capucho Duarte |
IADE – Universidade Europeia (PT) |
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Maria Inês Costa da Veiga |
Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (PT) |
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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) |
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Mónica Pereira Reis de Matos Romãozinho |
University of Beira Interior (PT) |
|
Nuno Martins |
School of Design, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave (PT) |
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Patrizia Ranzo |
Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” (IT) |
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Paula Trigueiros |
School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho (PT) |
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Paulo António dos Santos Silva |
University of Aveiro (PT) |
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Paulo Jorge da Silva Bartolo |
Nanyang Technological University (SG) |
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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) |
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Ricardo Bonacho |
Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology, at Universidade Europeia (PT) |
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Ricardo João Ferreira Simões |
School of Design, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave (PT) |
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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) |
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Sara Patrícia Martins Gancho |
IADE – Universidade Europeia (PT) |
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Silvina Félix da Silva |
University of Aveiro (PT) |
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Soraia Luísa Pereira Pinto Ala |
Aveiro North Higher School,University of Aveiro (PT) |
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Susana Cruz Barreto |
University of Porto (PT) |
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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