12–14 November 2026
The Programme
day 1 [12th nov]
PEOPLE
Design for equity, dignity & representation
day 2 [13th nov]
PLANET
Design with awareness of ecological impact
day 3 [14th nov]
PROFIT
Design for sustainable business & long-term value
Day 1 · 12 Nov
People
Day 2 · 13 Nov
Planet
Day 3 · 14 Nov
Profit
Daily Sessions
What's on, day by day.
People Day · 12 Nov
Design for equity, dignity & representation
Doors & registration
12:00pm(10mins)
Foyer & exhibition open
Opening Ceremony dEX
12:10pm(15mins)
Main Stage
Keynote 12:25pm(45mins)
Opening Keynote
Design Begins With People
Richard van der Laken
What Design Can Do
Break
Screen break
Break 13:10pm(10mins)
Panel
Who Are We Designing For, Really?
Stefania Manfreda · design233
Mr. Matthew Kubachua
Christie Brown
Panel
13:20pm (55mins)
Lounge interview
Foyer break
van der Laken
Ghanaian designer
Panel
13:20pm (55mins)
Breakout Window 1 Workshop
workshop
14:45pm (55mins)
Student plenary
Design Foundations + Design Careers
Main stage
Workshop
Inclusive UX for African Digital Products · Winona (MTN)
room A
Workshop
Designing Physical Spaces for Human Dignit
room B
Workshop
room c
networking
Foyer break
Break 15:45pm(15mins)
Breakout Window 2 Masterclasses
Masterclass
16:00pm (60mins)
Student plenary
Design, Identity & Representation + Communicating Ideas · Hanson Akati + Prof K
Main stage
Masterclass
Culture as a Design System · Simon Charway
room A
Masterclass
Ethical Storytelling in the Age of Algorithms · Odartey Mango
room B
Masterclass
Design Education: Shaping the Next Generation · Yaw Ofosu-Asare
room c
sit-down · sponsor reel
Screen break
Break 17:00pm(10mins)
Case Study
Designing Systems That Train the Next Designers
Constance Swaniker · DTI Africa
Case Study
17:10pm (30mins)
Presentation
Archiving
Paul Ninson
Presentation
17:40pm (35mins)
Day 1 close
tonight's preview
18:15pm
Planet Day · 13 Nov
Design for equity, dignity & representation
Doors & seating
12:00pm
Foyer opens · After the Banners Go Down showcase
Soft launch
12:00pm(15mins)
ATBGD showcase prominent · sponsor activations
Main Stage
Keynote 12:25pm(45mins)
Opening Keynote
Designing for a Planet Under Pressure
DK Osseo-Asare
sit-down · sponsor reel
Screen break
Break 13:10pm(10mins)
Panel
The Future We’re Designing Into
Travis Obeng-Casper
Duah Francis
Binta Ata (TBC)
Panel
13:20pm (55mins)
Breakout Window 1 Workshop
workshop
14:45pm (55mins)
Student plenary
Design Foundations + Design Careers
Main stage
Workshop
Inclusive UX for African Digital Products · Winona (MTN)
room A
Workshop
Designing Physical Spaces for Human Dignit
room B
Workshop
room c
networking
Foyer break
Break 15:45pm(15mins)
Breakout Window 2 Masterclasses
Masterclass
16:00pm (60mins)
Student plenary
Design, Identity & Representation + Communicating Ideas · Hanson Akati + Prof K
Main stage
Masterclass
Culture as a Design System · Simon Charway
room A
Masterclass
Ethical Storytelling in the Age of Algorithms · Odartey Mango
room B
Masterclass
Design Education: Shaping the Next Generation · Yaw Ofosu-Asare
room c
sit-down · sponsor reel
Screen break
Break 17:00pm(10mins)
Case Study
Designing Systems That Train the Next Designers
Constance Swaniker · DTI Africa
Case Study
17:10pm (30mins)
Presentation
Archiving
Paul Ninson
Presentation
17:40pm (35mins)
Day 1 close
tonight's preview
18:15pm
Planet Day · 13 Nov
Using tools, materials, and decisions that support ecological balance and long-term resilience.
Main Stage
Opening Keynote
Designing for a Planet Under Pressure
Keynote
Keynote
Policy, Standards & Design in Sustainable Futures
Keynote
Panel
Sustainability Without the Buzzwords
Panel
Case Study
From Linear to Circular: Design That Reduces Harm
Case Study
Fireside Chat
The Future We’re Designing Into
Fireside
Workshops & Masterclasses
01
Sustainable Digital Design Practices
02
Circular Design with Physical Materials
03
Designing Visuals for Environmental Action
04
The Hidden Environmental Cost of Digital Design
05
Designing Circular Systems, Not Just Products
06
Materials, Tools & Ethical Design Decisions
Profit Day · 14 Nov
Ethical entrepreneurship, creative economy, and long-term value — design for sustainable business.
Main Stage
Opening Keynote
Design Begins With People
Keynote
Keynote
Design, Trade & Competitiveness
Keynote
Panel
Can Design Be Ethical and Profitable?
Panel
Fireside Chat
Building Sustainable Creative Careers
Fireside
Case Study
Design as a Competitive Advantage
Case Study
Closing Keynote
Designing for People, Planet & Profit
Closing
Workshops & Masterclasses
01
Pricing Design Work Fairly & Sustainably
02
Designing Your Creative Business Model
03
From Freelancer to Studio
04
Building Ethical Creative Businesses
05
Designing Systems, Not Just Deliverables
06
Sustainable Client Relationships
Challenge · with WDCD
Design for Belonging — Live Pitches
Teams pitch to a live panel. Brief given Day 1 — pitch happens today.
Beyond the Main Stage
11 experience types
across three days.
Talks & Conversations
Keynotes, fireside chats, and panels with creative leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
01
Workshops & Masterclasses
Hands-on learning across branding, UX, motion, strategy, and sustainability.
02
Labs & Creative Challenges
Immersive design labs, hackathons, and challenges where participants co-create real solutions.
03
Career & Mentorship Hub
Speed mentoring, portfolio reviews, internship matching, and career fairs.
04
Exhibitions & Showcases
Brands, studios, universities, and sustainable creators on the expo floor.
05
Youth & Student Experiences
Purpose-built sessions for JHS, SHS, and university students.
06
Innovation & Tech Zone
AI tools, experimental materials, circular innovation, and digital art installations.
07
Networking & Community
Mixers, design cafés, and networking lounges running all three days.
08
Evening Experiences
The Spacebar. Creative parties. Music meets art. After-hours connection and celebration.
09–11
Ready to Join?
Three days. One community.
Passes from GHC 150. Students, practitioners, studio leads — all welcome.