As the global design community gathers in Copenhagen this June, 3daysofdesign is placing a spotlight on a concept that feels both timely and transformative: the power of the present moment.

At the heart of the 2026 festival programme is Entering the Now, a thought-provoking Symposium that challenges conventional ideas about innovation and progress. Rather than focusing solely on what comes next, the initiative encourages designers, creatives, and changemakers to engage deeply with what is happening now, recognising the present as the point where meaningful action begins.

Curated by AI expert Tey Bannerman and social entrepreneur Veronica D’Souza, the Symposium reflects the festival’s overarching theme, Make This Moment Matter. Together, they present a compelling argument that the future is not something waiting to be designed at a later date; it is shaped by the decisions, responsibilities, and actions taken today.

For 3daysofdesign, this philosophy aligns closely with its longstanding vision of design as a catalyst for meaningful change. The festival has consistently explored design beyond aesthetics, positioning it as a force capable of influencing ecological, technological, and social transformation.

According to Signe Byrdal Terenziani, CEO and Managing Director of 3daysofdesign, the present moment carries both opportunity and responsibility. She emphasises that while many people search for the essence of design in either the past or the future, its true impact exists in the choices being made right now. The legacy left behind, she suggests, begins with the actions taken today and can only be realised through collective participation in the present.

Bringing this vision to life is an impressive roster of international thought leaders. Among the headline speakers are Paola Antonelli, Yinka Ilori, Alice Rawsthorne, Natsai Audrey Chieza, and Anupama Kundoo. Each will contribute unique perspectives on the role of design as a cultural, social, and environmental force, exploring how creative thinking can influence the broader systems that shape contemporary life.

Hosted at KLUB in the heart of Copenhagen, the programme unfolds across five carefully curated sessions, each examining a different dimension of the festival theme. Being Present explores awareness as a catalyst for change, while Things That Matter questions traditional notions of value and accumulation. Purpose investigates intention as a creative compass, Waste reconsiders excess and the power of doing more with less, and The Ripple Effect examines how individual actions can generate far-reaching consequences.

Tey Bannerman

Together, these sessions create an intimate and engaging environment where attendees are invited to challenge assumptions, exchange knowledge, participate in dialogue, and contribute to new narratives for design. The emphasis is not simply on observation but on active participation, encouraging meaningful conversations that extend beyond the event itself.

For curators Tey Bannerman and Veronica D’Souza, the urgency of this dialogue is clear. In a world marked by overlapping crises and rapid transformation, they argue that design can no longer remain speculative or detached. Instead, it must engage directly with the realities of the present, embracing responsibility while creating opportunities for tangible action.

The experience extends beyond the lecture stage through a series of collaborative activations designed to deepen engagement. Celebrating 35 years of service to Copenhagen, Delta Air Lines will introduce a dedicated Flow Statelounge within KLUB’s courtyard. Conceived as a reflective retreat, the space will offer visitors an opportunity to pause, connect, and recharge between sessions.

Meanwhile, Anthropic will host a free hands-on workshop exploring the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence, ethics, and design practice. The workshop promises valuable insight into how emerging technologies are reshaping creative disciplines and raising new questions about responsibility in an increasingly digital world.

Ultimately, Entering the Now presents more than a programme of talks. It offers a call to action. It is an invitation to consider how design can move beyond prediction and speculation to become a tool for immediate and meaningful change. By encouraging participants to engage fully with the present, the Symposium highlights the belief that the future is not a distant destination—it is something actively shaped in every moment.

Taking place during 3daysofdesign from 10–12 June 2026, Entering the Now promises an illuminating experience where reflection and action exist side by side, and where the role of design in society is not merely discussed, but collectively redefined.