“John Thackara is doggedly pragmatic. The British design guru likes nothing more than to get designers, agitators, and average folks in a room together to hash out innovations that will improve daily life. His biggest and most celebrated gathering of the minds takes place every two years at the Doors of Perception conference. The celebrated design and innovation network’s goal is to apply design thinking to modern challenges, with an emphasis on putting ideas into action.
The latest event was staged in New Delhi on Mar. 2 and 3. And while Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales talked about his new search project, and Nokia’s Hannu Nieminen mused on the future of technology, most people were focused on the issues of food, water and waste.
Dubbed “Juice,” the gathering produced moments of true inspiration, as well as a few missteps. Its overall mission is to find design solutions to the growing crisis in global food systems—trying to cut the excessive energy use and spotty distribution while helping people feel more connected to what is actually on their plates.”