{"id":8836,"date":"2025-06-25T10:50:13","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T10:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cumulusassociation.org\/?p=8836"},"modified":"2025-06-25T11:01:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T11:01:22","slug":"press-release-cumulus-design-declaration-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cumulusassociation.org\/initiatives\/press-release-cumulus-design-declaration-2025","title":{"rendered":"PRESS RELEASE: Cumulus Design Declaration 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Design in the face of emergency: Cumulus launches a global declaration for a regenerative future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Nantes, 4 June 2025<\/strong> – In a world shaken by economic turbulence, technological acceleration and climate emergencies, design is positioning itself as a lever for social, ecological and cultural transformation. This is the central message of the Cumulus Design Declaration 2025<\/strong>, an international manifesto calling for a profound rethinking of design practices towards a regenerative, inclusive and planet-centred approach.<\/p>\n

This ambitious text, the outcome of two years of consultation within the Cumulus network – which brings together more than 400 art, design and architecture schools in 60 countries – marks a pivotal evolution from the Kyoto Declaration of 2008. In a context of geopolitical instability, resource depletion and widening social inequalities, the signatories affirm that design can no longer be confined to functional or aesthetic innovation: it must now be a vehicle for justice, peace and resilience.<\/p>\n

“It is no longer just about designing for humans, but with and for all living systems. Design is
\nbecoming a political, ethical and deeply collective act”<\/em>, says Lorenzo Imbesi<\/strong>, President of the
\nCumulus association and professor at Sapienza University in Rome.<\/p>\n

A declaration for our times<\/strong><\/p>\n

Entitled “Reaffirming design’s commitment to inclusion, collaboration and innovation for the benefit of the planet in the face of contemporary global challenges”<\/em>, the declaration calls on the design world to break away from past anthropocentric models. It promotes a \u2018pluriversal\u2019 approach that embraces diverse forms of knowledge – from emerging technologies to indigenous wisdom – and places designers at the heart of today\u2019s democratic, social and environmental challenges.<\/p>\n

“Design must stop merely accompanying competitiveness and growth. It must initiate the
\nnecessary transitions \u2013 as a critical and creative driving force.”<\/em> emphasizes Roberto Iniguez<\/strong>, vice-rector at Tecnologico de Monterrey (Mexico) and co-leader of the initiative.<\/p>\n

Five core pillars<\/strong><\/p>\n

The declaration is structured around five major commitments :
\n\u2022 Transitioning from sustainable design<\/strong> to regenerative design<\/strong>.
\n\u2022 Embracing radical inclusivity<\/strong> rooted in solidarity and social justice.
\n\u2022 Promoting transdisciplinary collaboration<\/strong> to respond to technological disruptions
\n(AI, biotechnology, post-human futures);
\n\u2022 Decolonizing practices<\/strong> and valuing vernacular and ancestral knowledge.
\n\u2022 Championing an ethic of care<\/strong>, empathy and peace in design practice.<\/p>\n

Press Release – Cumulus Design Declaration 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Design is not neutral. It shapes behavior, spaces and social dynamics. As students, we have a
\nresponsibility to reinvent its codes and ensure it serves the common good.”<\/em>, says Ayna Seddigh<\/strong>, an international student at L\u2019\u00c9cole de design Nantes Atlantique (France) and Cumulus student ambassador.<\/p>\n

A global call to action<\/strong><\/p>\n

Signed by leading voices in the global design community, including Yrj\u00f6 Sotamaa<\/strong> (Finland, founder of the Cumulus association), this declaration is also a call to action. It urges schools, institutions and companies to rethink their curricula, business models and relationship with innovation. In a world on the brink, it affirms that design can – and must \u2013 become a driver of resilience and hope.<\/p>\n

The declaration layout was designed by Ruedi Baur<\/strong>, whose bold visual style reflects the diversity and energy of the declaration\u2019s message.<\/p>\n

List of signatories:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mariana AMATULLO, PhD \u2013 Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico
\nLuisa COLLINA, PhD \u2013 Politecnico di Milano, Italy
\nMonica DI RUVO, PhD \u2013 Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
\nTeresa FRANQUEIRA, PhD \u2013 University of Aveiro, Portugal
\nMiosen GONG, PhD \u2013 Jiangnan University, China
\nChristian GUELLERIN \u2013 L\u2019\u00c9cole de design Nantes Atlantique, France
\nLorenzo IMBESI, PhD \u2013 Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
\nRoberto INIGUEZ FLORES, PhD \u2013 Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico
\nNatacha LALLEMAND, PhD \u2013 Ecole Duperr\u00e9, France
\nSatu MIETTIENEN, PhD \u2013 University of Lapland, Finland
\nNicola MORELLI, PhD \u2013 Aalborg University, Denmark
\nAnne PIKKOV \u2013 Estonian Academy of Art, Estonia
\nYrj\u00f6 SOTAMAA \u2013 Aalto University, Finland
\nArchana SURANA \u2013 ARCH College of Design and Business, India
\nMakato WATANABE, PhD \u2013 Chiba University, Japan<\/p>\n

Download the full declaration<\/strong> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Watch the signing ceremony<\/strong> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Press visuals and quotes available on request.<\/p>\n

Press contact:
\nAgence 14 Septembre
\nIsabellecremoux@14septembre.com
\n+33 6 11 64 73 68<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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