Distrust of NFTs and the cryptocurrency market in general is not unique to the design industry. But Mariam Naficy, founder of the online art platform Minted, wants to bridge the gap between affluent art and decor buyers and the vast, untapped landscape of NFTs and digital art. Alongside a prestigious team of design-minded co-founders, including Yves Béhar, Kate Berry, Ken Fulk, Emily Henderson, India Mahdavi, Brigette Romanek and Sarah Sherman Samuel, Naficy will announce the launch of a new platform that pairs NFT artworks with an optional physical twin and presents them in interior environments rather than gallery settings. Centered around a community of interior designers and enthusiasts, the new venture emphasizes the creative collaboration between artist and designer and is intended to expand NFTs to a broader audience than just “crypto natives.” In this discussion, Naficy, co-founder India Mahdavi and others examine how NFTs and digital art will affect the future of the physical space and why designers are key to unlocking this newest of mediums for everyone by simplifying the process of owning, collecting and displaying such works.

Consumption patterns have shifted, and there is increasingly an expectation among consumers for brands to be mindful of their environmental impact. But while the furniture industry is a top culprit in deforestation, which is a key contributor to climate change, few companies are offering meaningful solutions. How can furniture designers and manufacturers build a better supply chain and lessen the industry’s environmental impact? From 3D-printed food waste and localized micro-factories to alternative materials, the leaders of two sustainable-first luxury home brands—Whitney Frances Falk and Phillip Raub—will discuss the ways they are doing it.

What if you could point your phone at anything—a brand-new sofa, an antique vase, anything—and know exactly where it came from and how much it was worth? What if your clients could do the same? For most of the history of the internet, searching has been text-based: You type what you’re looking for into Google and hope for the best. Now, a wave of new technological developments is making visual search better and better—soon, what once seemed like science fiction will be part of everyday shopping. In a compelling presentation, Clark Boyd explains why we’re on the cusp of a search revolution and what it will mean for the design industry.

With the rise of the passion economy, creators are monetizing their “eye” (or aesthetic intelligence, as Pauline Brown calls it) in profoundly personal ways that make buying online not just a commercial transaction but a true exchange. Designer-influencers Athena Calderone and Colin King are masters of this modern craft. They has become a sought-after digital curators by contextualizing the very best and most meaningful products via scenography and storytelling, infusing them with purpose that fosters a personal connection with their followers. In this eye-opening discussion, these titans in the digital space explains the power of curation in community engagement and how it can be leveraged into a multifaceted business.

In an era of rapidly accelerating digital transformation, concepts such as “natural selection” and “survival of the fittest” are defining who survives and who thrives in the home industry. Bestselling author Tom Goodwin shines a light on the future by looking at lessons from the past and offers insight into how business owners can create their own digital transformation. He challenges assumptions around how to adapt, what to embrace and what to ignore—and encourages business leaders to go big or go home.

Manufacturers are experimenting with every conceivable alternative material in the race toward a more sustainable future. But while many fashion brands have already adopted eco-conscious fabrics, the home industry has been slower to make that shift. At the forefront of the movement are Danielle Trofe and Tessa Callaghan. As the founders of businesses focused on plant-based materials, they exemplify how entrepreneurs are paving the way for the home sector’s material revolution. Together, they discuss the challenges of working with alternative materials, why consumer demand for them is so strong and how the design industry can get on board.