In age of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, where more and more jobs are taken over by machines, this talk explores the way forward.

Discussing the possible design jobs of the future in four different design fields: Product Design, Multimedia Design, Fashion Design and Strategic Design Management, the talk examines the kinds of skills needed for designers to survive and adapt to the new digital norm and to humanize technology as machines and robots render many current jobs obsolete.

Panelists:

- Tarek Sultani, Group Director and Studio Lead in ME, Fjord Accenture

- Shabbar Sagarwala, Principal, Eight Inc

- Evan Collisson, Communication Designer, Palmwood

- Ahmed Hafez Younis, Creative Shop Lead, Facebook

- Moderated by Hani Asfour, Dean of DIDI

Free to attend and no registration required.

About Hani Asfour, Dean of DIDI - Moderator

Hani Asfour is the Dean of Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI). Prior to joining DIDI, the MIT and Harvard-trained architect has taught at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Northeastern University, American University of Beirut and American University of Sharjah. Recently named as one of the regions most influential architects by Middle East Architect magazine, Asfour is an advisor to Beirut Design Week and also founded the Beirut Creative Cluster. He has previously presented Design Matters at TedX Beirut and has served as keynote speaker and mentor for data4chan.ge. He also founded the award winning multidisciplinary studio Polypod.

About Tarek Sultani, Group Director and Studio Lead in ME, Fjord Accenture

Tarek leads the Fjord business in the Middle East. He brings 15 years of experience in consulting and strategic design to Fjord, with experience working on corporate and consumer brands. He has worked closely with organizations and business leaders across the Middle East to define their brand vision and manage their brand experience, product development and internal engagement. Tarek’s expertise spans various sectors, including CMT, financial services, retail, government and even startups. He has also set up and built regional offices for two global design consultancies and managed global design teams.

About Shabbar Sagarwala, Principal, Eight Inc

Shabbar is an urbanist and architect with extensive professional and academic experience. He is driven to create design interventions that go beyond the tactical, to inspire actual changes in human behavior. As Principal of Environments, Shabbar leads our teams in urban design and architectural projects across the Middle East, Turkey and Japan. He practices a hands-on philosophy, from concept to execution, to ensure the design vision aligns closely to client aspirations. Shabbar has managed design projects across the globe, from urban precincts and university campuses, to private residences and commercial interiors. His past clients include Nissan, Globe and Dubai Tourism.

About Evan Collisson, Communication Designer, Palmwood

Evan discovered his purpose in design and visual arts through skateboarding, organizing events, publishing zines for the local and regional community, as well as freelancing in editorial photography and filmmaking across the Middle East. He later crafted a career in design after dropping out of art school, finding himself at IDEO San Francisco. Today, as a Communications Designer at Palmwood, a joint partnership between the UAE Government and IDEO, Evan draws on his past experiences of being a long-term Dubai resident, community builder, and global designer to create meaningful impact in the Emirates.

About Ahmed Hafez Younis (Fizo), Creative Shop Lead, Facebook MENA

Ahmed has co-founded the internationally-acclaimed FC studio, joined Cairo Elephant, became the Executive Creative Director and a key pillar in FP7 Cairo/McANN's world group and served as the Head of McANN Creative Leadership Council for Middle East and Africa. Fizo has orchestrated award-winning campaigns for the likes of Coca-Cola, Nestle, Mini Cooper, Fanta, McDonald’s and Orange. In 2017, Fizo made a career shift by joining the tech giant Facebook as head of the Creative Shop MENA. Fizo was ranked as one of the top 10 Creative Leaders in the Middle East and North Africa in 2017 in the B&W report.