Design conference heads home to Newcastle

More than 150 delegates from across the world are expected to descend on Newcastle for the annual Design History Conference, set to be held at Northumbria University on September 5-7 2019.
The conference is returning to its roots in the North East after the first ever multi-day event dedicated to design history was held at Newcastle Polytechnic (now Northumbria University) in 1975.
Next year’s theme is ‘The Cost of Design’ with the conference exploring the historic and contemporary relationship between design and the economy.
Paul Szomoru, director of business events at NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau, said: “Attracting the Design History Conference to NewcastleGateshead after it has been held in New York and Oslo the past two years shows the strength of the offering that we have as a great destination for hosting conferences and events.
“It’s brilliant news that the Design History Society is returning to its roots in North East England and we’re looking forward to welcoming delegates from around the world next year.”
Each year the Design History Conference is hosted by a different convening institution that works closely with the society to organise the conference on a theme chosen by the convener – for 2019 this is Dr Elizabeth Kramer, senior lecturer in design history at Northumbria University.
The annual conference aims to bring together, and offer a forum for, emerging and established scholars, museum professionals and design practitioners who engage with debates on cultures of design from both contemporary and historical perspectives.
Dr Kramer added: “Given the region’s key role in design innovation historically, as well as the design solutions it has offered in response to de-industrialisation in the region during the 20th century, NewcastleGateshead seems an ideal place to examine the historical and contemporary relationship between design and economy.”