Mindful Living Announced as theme for Surface Design Show 2024

Surface Design Show announces the theme of its 2024 edition: ‘Mindful Living’; which will explore the balance between design intuition and analytical thinking to achieve meaningful experiences.

Surface Design Show returns to London’s Business Design Centre from 6-8 February 2024 allowing architects, designers and specifiers to discover the best innovative materials for the built environment whilst also enjoying a stellar line up of guest speakers and thought-provoking installations.

From physical to digital, materials and their properties play a central role in the multi-sensory space. As we embrace technological advancements and invest in new design approaches, the boundaries between virtual and reality continue to blur; Mindful Living explores what this means for the built environment.

Mindful Living celebrates progress and innovation in design for interiors and architecture, as we adapt to our ever-changing world. Conversations around man versus machine continue as we search for new ideas. Digital and human intelligence are key, exploring the benefits of each to provide progressive solutions. Whether the focus is on machine learning for industry research, digital platforms becoming independent designers, or simply the virtual world driving new aesthetics, one thing is clear: our material world is evolving.

Surface Design Show director Nickie West says:

“The theme for 2024 focuses on the ambition to design well while doing good – with a conscious effort to protect our planet by aiming for zero waste manufactures and sustainable alternatives. The natural world remains a key influence on the design industry, inspiring new techniques and processes, as well as offering a wealth of material substitutes”.

Curated by material, design & trend expert Sally Angharad and located at the heart of the show is Surface Spotlight Live, a recurring highlight of the show. The 2024 edition will shine a light on cutting-edge surfaces, finishes and processes that embrace the future and harness the vital role materials play in design across all dimensions.

Sally explains

‘We are at such a turning point with technological advancements where we are trying to gain a deeper understanding of how these innovations can benefit us today as well as in the future. Since the pandemic we have become more in tune with our innate need for emotional connections. This means we seek to embrace new ideas but at the same time appreciate the value of human interactions. The effect of this on our aesthetic world is also significant, and the way we experience physical and digital spaces is a key research topic for the design industry”.

The main stage will play host to over 40 speakers during the 21/2 days of the show. Several sessions including Tuesday’s Opening Night Debate will focus on the topic of Mindful Living. The full programme of events will be announced in November.

Aiming to live harmoniously, the 2024 Surface Design Show shines a light on cutting edge surfaces, finishes and processes that embrace the future and harness the vital role materials play on design across all dimensions.