This talk explores the evolving symbolism of the colour pink across different cultures and time periods, using historical and contemporary examples to trace its shifting meanings. From masculinity to femininity, rebellion to conformity, pink has worn many faces—each shaped by cultural intent. At its core, the discussion delves into how intention influences interpretation, reminding us that meaning is rarely fixed, but intended.

About the speaker

Evgeni Minchev is an Information Architect and Design Leader with over 10 years of experience. He explores the intersection of color, culture, and intent, driven by a natural curiosity and his work as a designer and father. Evgeni has spoken at events like the IA Conference and WAID, offering engaging and thought-provoking insights. Currently focused on AI in EdTech, he seeks to enhance learning through design. Outside of work, he’s an avid fly dresser and angler contemplating the greatest designer of all - nature.

The topics of design and crime have often been linked together. Leveraging the belief that design can impact human behavior, it is not a stretch to believe that design decisions can also impact criminal behavior. 

In this presentation, Peter Mintchev will expand thought process beyond the purely pragmatic aspects of design to consider “crime” within the domain of design. How is transgression defined within design? How does design manage transgression within its own domain? 

From Adolf Loos's notorious article "Ornament and Crime" to today’s definitions of design patterns, systems, and processes, design is preoccupied with boundaries and definitions of right and wrong. However, venturing into the “wrong” side of things has allowed design to innovate. As UX designers today, the challenge is not only to deliver on design but also to continuously redefine the discipline. Can “crime” be looked at for inspiration?

💚 What does Gaudí’s art have in common with an overwhelmed designer? After mentoring 50+ designers across 20+ countries, one thing is clear:

Stress is just a signal, not a setback.

In her talk "Turn Stress into Inspiration", Eva will share how challenges, when met with clarity and intention, fuel authentic creative growth.

This isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about growing better. 🍀

Join her and explore together what really fuels creative growth.

About the speaker

Eva Staneva is a design leader with 15+ years of experience and a mentor passionate about personal development for over 10 years. She helps businesses create innovative, user-centered products and empowers designers to grow creatively and confidently in trust-based, collaborative environments.

Conceptual and abstract design is great, but sometimes, for users to get their jobs done in the most efficient way, why reinvent the wheel?

In this talk, Ryan explores the roots of common UI patterns, and their physical origins, and how this has helped him in his design journey, being neurodivergent. He then expands this into marketing strategies, product design and a real example of his award winning Service Design of the UK’s first paperless mortgage experience.

We begin by explaining the concept of literalism with real examples like car dashboards, UI components like accordions & carousels, and iconography like floppy disks!

Taking it up a level, Ryan talks about product-level literalism, and how companies/products like Lyft, Google Sheets and FaceTime have embraced it to their advantage for adoption and showcase 2 real case studies:

1. Jones Knowles Ritchie’s work with Dominoes pizza to redesign the product of packaging, using user research to inform the design using literalism.
2. Ryan's own, award-winning, design whilst at NatWest, of the UK’s first paperless mortgage experience.

Finally, we close with some future concepts, on how we can reverse modern technology, to embrace literalism, to bring back nostalgic dopamine from days of old.