BEDA Design Forum—Beyond Thoughtless Design

Stop sleepwalking products and services into existence! The BEDA Design Forum in Munich explores design, policy, and accessibility, pushing thinking beyond the expected.

The BEDA Design Forum examines how products, services, and systems come into being, highlighting the often overlooked habits, assumptions, and structures that shape design outcomes. Anchored by the motto “Stop sleepwalking products and services into existence,” the event encourages us to take a closer look at the mechanisms that influence decisions long before a design reaches the public.

The forum explores the interaction between design practice, policy frameworks, and accessibility. The programme investigates where uncritically examined cookie-cutter solutions tend to emerge, and what kinds of systemic conditions are needed to support more intentional and inclusive approaches.

Participants will hear from contributors working across national design bodies, public institutions, academia, and industry. Sessions address current efforts to map design policy across Europe, approaches to reframing accessibility, and examples of how structural choices—both visible and invisible—shape innovation and societal outcomes.

In addition, the forum provides opportunities for peer exchange and reflection. Attendees will be able to compare policy landscapes, discuss emerging challenges, and share practical experiences that connect strategic considerations with everyday design work.

The forum is free to attend and open to BEDA members and the wider design community interested in how design processes are shaped—and how they can be guided more thoughtfully.