About the Forum
Design services and social innovation are not new topics, but they are always given new content and expectations. People have realized that factors such as social culture and values have an increasingly significant impact on design problems, and the challenges they face cannot always be solved through analysis of explicit factors. Existing design knowledge and experience show obvious limitations. We attempt to invite outstanding scholars and innovative practitioners to gather in Hong Kong through international forums, share experiences and best practices, and jointly explore how design services can solve complex and challenging problems, promoting sustainable development of society and multiculturalism.
One of the challenges we face is that the application of new technologies is changing the old model of design services, and technological tools are attempting to analyze humanistic and emotional needs through quantitative means. Designers are in a passive position to upgrade their service needs. Design services are not just about designing new products or service models, but more importantly, how to use innovative means to solve many complex problems arising from social development and achieve the long-term goal of sustainable human progress. Obviously, design services and social innovation are not about redistributing social resources and benefits, or simply focusing on improving the quality of life for the general public. The endless catering of design activities to consumption and the pursuit of quality of life has led to a narrow understanding of service and innovation as a means of subservient assistance to business. The social innovation we advocate aims to explore effective sustainable development methods and energy consumption models that can maintain social fairness and justice. Prejudice, misunderstanding, and discrimination are important factors that lead to the isolation between diverse cultures, and they are also the main root cause of design problems not being properly resolved. It is gratifying that the reflection and discussion on design research and social responsibility are increasingly receiving attention from colleagues in the academic community.
This forum adheres to the purpose of non-profit academic activities, implements rigorous academic admission and evaluation standards, and adopts an academic route that integrates theoretical research and design practice. This forum consists of three parts: the keynote speech of the main-forum, the oral report of the sub-forum, and the poster display. A "Design Night" exchange session will be arranged for participants to actively promote the new integration of academic research, industrial development, and social practice knowledge. The forum mainly focuses on design science, design criticism, social ethics of design, Artificial Intelligence and Design, vulnerable groups, and Sustainable Design. Our fundamental goal is to harness the transformative power of design research and service innovation, and towards a world of sustained prosperity and greater inclusivity.
Main topics Experts
Scope of submission
New Paradig: Rethinking the Nature of Innovation
Cultural Identity and Design Criticism
Social Ethics in Design
Artificial Intelligence and Design
Design for Disadvantaged Groups
Sustainable Design and Environmental Justice
Due to the time constraints of the forum, the final number of accepted papers will not exceed 20. All accepted papers will be published free of charge in the Journal of Design Service and Social Innovation (JDSSI) and the Journal of Architecture and Urban Design (JAUD).
Experts
Chairman of the Forum
Cees de Bont, Ph.D., Professor, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Vice Chairman of the Forum
Henry B.L. Duh, Ph.D., Professor, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Matthew Robb, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design, New York
Invited Experts
Fangwu Tung, Ph.D., Professor, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu
Shashank Mehta, Strategic Advisor, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
Lawrence Marcelle, Ph.D., Part-time Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design, New York
Mitamura Ariyoshi, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Kyoto University of the Arts, Kyoto
Limei Nong, Ph.D., Associate Professor, North China University of Technology, Beijing
Huang Houshi, Ph.D., Professor, Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts, Chongqing
Jingru Pan, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing
Dominika Sobolewska, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Wroclaw Academy of Art & Design, Wroclaw
Benny Leong, Professor, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Fanke Peng, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of South Australia, Adelaide （online）
Zhang Lei, Ph.D., Professor, Tongji University, Shanghai
Zichao Nie, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Beihang University, Beijing
Important Dates
Deadline for abstract submission（250-300 words）: April 25, 2025 (feedback within 5 working days)
Deadline for paper submission: June 15, 2025
Paper review notification date: June 25, 2025
Registration deadline: August first, 2025
Submission email: m.scholar2023@gmail.com
Manuscript requirements
The Forum accepts English manuscripts only, and the papers should have academic innovation or practical reference value and should not have been publicly published in national and international academic journals and conferences. All submitted papers will be peer-reviewed. The author of the manuscript must submit a Turnitin plagiarism report with the paper. Papers with high rates of plagiarism will not be accepted (less than 10% plagiarism and no key points copied).
Date and Location
Date: August 6-9, 2025
Location: Hong Kong (Hybrid Conference)
Organizer: MICHELANGELO SCHOLAR PUBLISHING LIMITED (MSPL)
Registration Fee
[Early-bird ticket]（before June 25th）: 550 USD for individuals; 500 USD for groups (3 people or more)
[Standard ticket]（after June 25th）: 600 USDPaper collaborators attending: 300 USD per person
[Conference only] (before June 25th): 500 USD [Conference only] (after June 25th): 600 USD
Note: Except for specially invited experts, the accommodation and transportation expenses of the participants during the forum will be borne by themselves.
