Diversity in Design: What Is It, and Why Does It Matter?

How do we define diversity, and why is it so essential in today’s design industry? How can diversity contribute to a thriving future for Norwegian design and make it even more relevant on a global scale?

These are some of the questions we invite you to explore at our next Design Salon on February 28th.

Location: Dicks vei 12, 1366 Lysaker
Time: February 28th, 5:00 PM (doors open at 4:30 PM)
Duration: The conversation starts at 5:00 PM, lasts about one hour, and will be conducted in Norwegian.

We have gathered a panel of voices from diverse backgrounds who will shed light on the role of diversity in Norwegian design:

Dagny Thurmann-Moe is a leading voice in Norway’s color and design scene, known for challenging established norms and promoting a broader spectrum of aesthetic expression in architecture, interiors, and product design. As founder and creative director of Koi Colour and Design Studio, she integrates color and materiality to create more inclusive, varied, and purposeful environments and objects. Through her work and channels, she fuels debate about how greater diversity—in design language, color use, and industry representation—can strengthen Norwegian design.

Sumeet Singh Patpatia is Head of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Schibsted Marketplaces, working to promote diversity within both the organization and society. He founded Unge Sikher and the Norwegian Turban Day, which build bridges and promote understanding and acceptance of diversity in Norway. With experience in multiple Nordic global companies, Sumeet is a recognized voice in diversity work.

Vilde Hagelund is a furniture designer with a background in multimedia technology and product design. She emphasizes the balance between material, form, and function, combining craftsmanship, artistic insight, and a designer’s mindset to create lasting quality products. Her master’s thesis, Objectum, was nominated for the Designers’ Saturday Awards – Best Talents in 2019, the same year she received a design grant from Norsk Industri. In 2020, she won the DOGA Newcomer Award and was named one of the world’s most promising design talents by Wallpaper. In 2022, she was awarded Designer of the Year by the Scheibler Foundation and nominated in four categories in the Bo Bedre Design Prize.

Guro Røberg will moderate the conversation, helping to weave together the different perspectives.

We look forward to an inspiring and engaging discussion that will not only explore what diversity in design means but also how it can shape the future of Norwegian design—both locally and globally.

Join us for Design Salon at our own venue in Furuvik, located at Lysaker.