In this keynote, Lorenzo Taucer, Director of Product Development & Marketing at Moroso, shares how open innovation and bold collaboration keep this iconic Italian furniture brand at the forefront of contemporary design. 

Reflecting on the creative challenges of working beyond comfort zones, Taucer describes design as a living puzzle — balancing functional performance with a deeply human perspective. He highlights Moroso’s celebrated partnerships with visionary designers like Patricia Urquiola and Ron Arad, showing how these collaborations push the brand to evolve while staying true to Italy’s rebellious design spirit. 

Taucer also explores how Moroso responds to today’s demands: harnessing AI, tackling sustainability, and driving material innovation — all while nurturing a collaborative culture that transforms everyday objects into meaningful works of art. 

The keynote will conclude with an engaging fireside chat between Taucer and Darren Chuckry.

Project Photo Credit: Moroso Flagship Store ICFF 2025, ©Alex Kro

In an era dominated by rapid technological advances, world-renowned product designer Fabio Verdelli champions a new paradigm: Gentle Tech, where even the most cutting-edge innovations feel natural, elegant, and quietly powerful. 

Moving beyond traditional design theories, Verdelli emphasises human-centred approaches that prioritise natural gestures, tactile experiences, and emotional connection. Showcasing signature projects like the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, Trillo Speaker, and Traccia Keyboard, he illustrates how innovation can harmonise with cultural heritage and everyday human rituals. Inspired by Italy’s unique design sensibility, Verdelli envisions a future where technology whispers, not shouts — creating products that feel intuitive, warm, and deeply resonant. 

The keynote will conclude with an engaging fireside chat moderated by Darren Chuckry.

Project Photo Credit: Bliz-Lizard-Ski helmet and goggle. Courtesy of Fabio Verdelli | Design Studio

How does curiosity spark creativity — and how does creativity drive breakthrough innovation in our complex, connected world? In this dynamic panel, Lorenzo Taucer, Fabio Verdelli, and Elaine Yan Ling Ng explore how these forces come together across cultures, disciplines, and design practices in both Italy and Hong Kong. 

Together, they will unpack the role of multidisciplinary collaboration, the power of cultural diversity, and the value of open innovation ecosystems that push boundaries while honouring local context. The discussion will also reveal how sustainability and responsible production shape modern design thinking — and how the interplay between design and manufacturing informs the creative decisions that deliver meaningful, future-ready solutions. 

We’re taught to see mistakes as something to avoid, fix, or hide. But what if we started viewing them as useful signals — as starting points for more inclusive, creative, and unexpected solutions?  

"The Ergonomics of Failure" is a hands-on workshop that invites participants to shift their perspective: from seeing error as a setback to recognizing it as a powerful design resource. Participants will explore the transformative potential of failure through practical exercises to read error not as a flaw, but as a signal able to reveal hidden needs and alternative behaviors. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Recognize the value of error as an essential part of the innovation process. 

• Learn to interpret and reframe the transformative potential of mistakes. 

• Generate ideas for product/service innovation or range extension. 

• Practice turning constraints into design opportunities. 

Photo Credit: Moroso CDW 2025, ©Josh Tucker - Captivate Imagery

Led by Fabio Verdelli, Founder and Director of Fabio Verdelli | Design Studio, this intimate design workshop explores how the spirit of Italian design and his philosophy of subtle, human-centred technology can shape the future of everyday products. 

Building on insights from his keynote, Verdelli will share the stories and thinking behind his celebrated projects — Blocco, Dune, and Clessidra — revealing how thoughtful design choices turn ordinary objects into quiet, meaningful companions that enrich daily life. 

Participants will then take on a hands-on design brief: to imagine a “Smart, Beautiful Door” that combines intelligence, emotional warmth, and familiar rituals. Through group sketching, brainstorming, and guided critique, attendees will co-create fresh product ideas that embody this subtle yet powerful approach to innovation. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Gain practical insights into Fabio Verdelli’s design method and his perspective on integrating technology gracefully. 

• Discover how Italian traditions of craft and pleasure can inspire new directions in product design. 

• Develop and present product concepts that feel natural, beautiful, and quietly intelligent — true companions for everyday living. 

Photo Credit: De'Longhi Colonna ceramic heater. Courtesy of Fabio Verdelli | Design Studio