It’s been a month since the SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas. Time to look back. I was there to connect with my network, but also as Chairman of the Dutch Digital Design foundation. We organised ‘The Future of Experiences’ for 200 attendees. Below a brief account of my time in Austin, as well as the post-SXSW event in Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam.
Our foundation is committed to sharing Dutch digital work with a wide audience - both nationally and internationally. For this reason we were also part of the Dutch trade mission New Dutch Wave - supported by Creative NL - at SXSW. Six Dutch agencies represented Dutch Digital Design at ‘The Future of Experiences’. They each shared their vision on the future of and developments with regards to interactive experiences, including the Metaverse. The event was concluded with a panel of four experts who further discussed the subject.
Ruben van Bambost (Fabrique) was the first to present. He shared what the opportunities are for design that uses a more human approach - showing different examples. Then it was Esther O’Callaghan’s (Hundo) turn. She told us about the future of work, Generation Z and the Metaverse. Dan Polak (code d’azur) showed us how you can add a touch of magic to projects by combining creativity and technology. Cees Dingler (Capitola)’s presentation was about the possibilities of AR and VR - again using some strong examples. Arne Koefoed (Wink) presented their Feelgood Vuurwerk project - a charity project selling virtual (AR) fireworks to support the homeless, as well as his view on the future of experiences. Viet Hoang (Your Majesty) closed the session with a look at the future of fashion in the Metaverse.
Following this, a panel further discussed the future of experiences - moderated by Claartje Vogel. Panelists were Karlijn Marchildon (VanMoof), Constatine Gavrykov (Adidas), Michael Valentijn (Signify - a Danish agency) and Mia Berggren (Sweden-based agency North Kingdom - arranged by our friends at SoDA, Society of Digital Agencies). They shared their views on the subjects of each presentation, as well as their view on the future. The event ended with drinks - a great opportunity to network with all of those present.
The New Dutch Wave trade mission represented itself this year as a travelling company - a great way to connect with all of the international visitors. To make this possible they collaborated closely with the German, Austrian, Danish, British and Canadian delegations. Offering a multi-day programme consisting of different events. Here Dutch participants could connect with each other, but also with international contacts.
A few weeks after SXSW, an event was organised at Amsterdam-based Pakhuis de Zwijger: The Magic of SXSW. A retrospect of the event organised by us - sharing highlights - moderated by Susanne van Nierop (lead editor of Dutch marketing trade magazine Adformatie). Code d’azur, Fabrique and Capitola were speakers.
