Design & Innovation Around the Globe

Mormedi shares its international vision for the future of design at the DMI Design Leadership Conference

Madrid, September 23, 2025 — Last week, the DMI: Design Leadership Conference marked its 50th anniversary at the Philips global headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA), bringing together leading voices in strategic design from around the world. The event served as a platform for global leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of design.

As part of the celebrations, Juliane Trummer, Vice President of Strategy at Mormedi, participated in the panel discussion “Design & Innovation Around the Globe”. The session was moderated by Carole Bilson, President of the Design Management Institute (DMI), and featured speakers from France, Brazil, and Turkey, highlighting diverse perspectives on design and innovation.

Though Mormedi was founded in Madrid, the company has built a deeply international outlook, working with clients and teams across multiple countries and industries. This global experience allows Mormedi to bring a broad and inclusive perspective to conversations about the future of design.

Panel Participants

• Jean-Jacques L'Henaff, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, Americas (France)
• Romeu Biscaia Machado, Founder & CDO, commcepta Design (Brazil)
• Özlem Er, PhD, Professor, Istanbul Bilgi University (Turkey)

Key Topics Explored

During the discussion, panelists addressed several critical aspects of strategic design and its role as a driver of transformation in an interconnected world:

1. Education and Mentorship for Future Leaders
The conversation emphasized the importance of design education and mentorship in cultivating the next generation of creative leaders. Beyond technical skills, panelists stressed fostering critical thinking and social impact awareness as essential qualities for future innovators.

2. Personal and Cultural Influences on Design Thinking
Speakers reflected on how personal experiences — from childhoods spent in natural environments to exposure to diverse cultures — shape creative problem-solving approaches and inspire the generation of innovative ideas.

3. Challenges of Global Entrepreneurship and Leadership
The panel examined the complexities of launching and scaling design businesses, as well as the nuances of leading multicultural teams across international projects, highlighting both the obstacles and learnings involved.

4. Adapting to Diverse Markets
A recurring theme was the need to deeply understand cultural and consumer nuances in different regions to create products, services, and experiences that resonate authentically with local users.

5. Intergenerational Dialogue and Diverse Perspectives
The conference showcased the richness of dialogue among participants of varying ages and backgrounds — from 20 to 90 years old — demonstrating how diversity of perspectives fuels richer conversations and more meaningful solutions.

A Global Vision for Design

The panel highlighted how design, when embraced as a global and collaborative discipline, can serve as a catalyst for innovation and a powerful tool to address the social, technological, and economic challenges of the future.

As Mormedi continues to work across borders and sectors, its vision reinforces the idea that design is not only about solving problems but also about shaping a better, more connected world.