The approach to the branding and production of the Design Research Society’s 50th Anniversary Conference was one that emulated the conference’s thesis, not to be prescriptive but to allow things to evolve. Wherever possible we used recycled items, the stage lecterns for instance. Out of this was born the GI lab that is constructed in part from salvaged items from the recently demolished Circus Street Market.

The conference had an intentionally open remit, it was in part a conference formed by the participants and demonstrated that there can be alternative approaches to design and planning of events. Attended by nearly 700 delegates the progression of the conference, both in form and organisation was one that transformed and developed.

To vocalise, discuss and understand the many fields of design, saw PhD by Design run an event at the conference. The event explored what the future holds for design and how practice-based PhD design projects can disseminate dialogue and raise critical issues. Sören Rosenbak from Umeå, produced posters for the conference through a project called 'Fifty Years of Failures'. The project was interactive, forming a physical reflection of the conference and a catalyst for further consideration.

The original graphics were developed by Nikki Brewster, a University of Brighton Graphic Design student, and the logo created by Seamus White, a fellow student.

Collaborators: Jim Wilson on the GI Lab, stage furniture and Signage, Beth Salter on the graphics and branding, Stephen Mallinder on the dinner event and music, PhD by Design and the students of the Graphic Design course on the delivery of an event at the Grand Hotel using the DADA machine.

Photograhy: Pete Jones