DUp 187 ⛅ 5 for 2025 / The Power of Joy / DUp has a theme

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DesignUp Conf
January 28, 2025

Before you know it - one month, the 1st of 12, is almost over. And we have tons of news and updates for you. First, the DesignUp 2025 Theme just got announced, and this is the first time in our 9th year we have a theme. It’s broad and yet sharp, and would help speakers fine tune their content, and help us curate a thoughtful and though-provoking lineUp for you.

What’s the theme? We’ll have a detailed note in our next issue (plus tips for would-be speakers), but you can find it unveiled on our Insta or Linkedin channels. Talking of channels, we’ll gently pause the newsletter in sometime and move to a brand new action-packed WhatsApp channel. Details (and the whys) follows soon! For now, Soo looked back nostalgically at 5 of our most loved links, shares across the last few years! 5 for 2025…

YourDost x DesignUp
= the Transformative Power of Joy

Step into 2025 by joining The Festival of Joy—India's largest well-being festival—on Saturday February 8, Bengaluru. This invite-only event will bring together 25+ global thought leaders, including Amish Tripathi, Vani Kola, Sindhu Gangadharan, Leanne Chukoskie, and Dr. Shyam Bhat, to explore how joy can create lasting change.

As part of the DesignUp community, you’re all in the invite list :-) Don’t miss this chance to be part of a movement that champions well-being and positivity. Know more and register now at this link and use code DUPMegaJoy for an exclusive 50% discount. As YourDost founder Richa nudges us - Together, let’s build a more joyful India! ❤️

💡 5 Things for 2025

At the 2021 DesignUpForACause (raising INR 70L for Covid relief), Stefan Sagmeister’s talk, Beautiful Numbers, highlighted how design transforms data into visually engaging, accessible narratives. He emphasized design's role in bridging data and understanding through captivating storytelling. #mustwatch

❝

Technology succeeds because of the user’s experience of the technology more than the actual underlying technology itself.

Scott Belsky, Seeing the Matrix for a Product Leader

What is “Seeing The Matrix” For A Product Leader?

Scott Belsky champions vision and strategy as the true catalysts for breakthroughs, beyond mere data-driven iteration. He advocates for simplicity, delightful user experiences, and prioritizing how users feel over raw performance metrics, highlighting the power of perception in shaping impactful product interactions.

A.I. Chatbot, Will You Be My Friend? Seven Stories of Robot-Human Relationships

Here’s a collection of literary works that dive into the fascinating, ever-evolving tango between humans and artificial intelligence—blurring boundaries, sparking curiosity, and questioning what it truly means to be human in a tech-driven world.

Ovnew - Eatsploration

Eatsploration, a bold design adventure by Tessa Dóniga Johnson for Ovnew, redefines sensory dining with flair. This conceptual photography series crafts seven vibrant universes, each a quirky collision of global flavors and futuristic vibes. From taste to sound to visuals, it's an immersive feast for every sense—dinner meets design revolution!

A cheeky twist on parallel universes, this story casts God as a quirky creator struggling to nail Earth’s design - and chaos and hilarity ensue!

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🍀 Stay human and stay curious,