Design as a Bridge for Social Impact: Reflections from IASDR 2025 in Taipei

From December 2–6, we attended the International Association of Societies of Design Research (IASDR) conference held in Taipei.

Our sincere thanks go to the team at the Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI) for their kind invitation. The conference was truly memorable, filled with the organizers’ passion and deep respect for designers and researchers across disciplines and cultures.

Through this event, we had the opportunity to meet inspiring individuals from around the world who are weaving social impact through design. Their work and perspectives made this a truly one-of-a-kind experience and reinforced the power of design as a force for meaningful change.

It was also a great honor to see a widely recognized designer of User Experience (UX) design, in person.
Years ago, while working in a branding department, we learned through books that design is not merely about form or aesthetics, but about shaping behavior and creating social impact.
This time, witnessing the person who helped define that philosophy speak with such quiet confidence was deeply moving. It reminded us that what we study and practice today is part of a much larger ripple that began with authentic, thoughtful work.

We are also grateful to have played an important role in creating the opportunity for two Japanese organizations — Hokkaido University and the Sapporo Electronics and Industries Cultivation Foundation — to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with IASDR. This marks a meaningful step in strengthening the bridge between Japan and the global design research community.

The conference once again reaffirmed the importance of integrating design into business, healthcare, and city development, as well as the value of a global design community that transcends language and culture through shared values and vision.