Twentieth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

  • Design Across Time
  • 25-27 February 2026
  • Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, + Online

Themes and Special Focus

The Design Principles & Practices Research Network offers an interdisciplinary forum to explore the meaning and purpose of design. In professional and disciplinary terms, the network traverses a broad sweep to construct a trans-disciplinary dialogue, which encompasses a wide array of design paradigms and practices. We move between theoretical reflection on the nature of design and case studies of design practice, and from research-based perspectives to the experience-based perspectives of design insiders. Our aim is to build an epistemic community where we can make linkages across disciplinary, geographic, and cultural boundaries. As a Research Network, we are defined by our scope and concerns and motivated to build strategies for action framed by our shared themes and tensions.

The Twentieth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices features research addressing the following annual themes:

  • 2026 Special Focus—Design Across Time
  • Theme 1: Design Education
  • Theme 2: Design in Society
  • Theme 3: Designed Objects
  • Theme 4: Visual Design
  • Theme 5: Design Management and Professional Practice
  • Theme 6: Architectonic, Spatial, and Environmental Design

Welcome to Rome

Sapienza University of Rome invites you to the Twentieth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices.

Plenary Speakers

The Twentieth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices will feature plenary sessions by some of the world’s leading thinkers and innovators in the field.

Diletta Huyskes

Diletta Huyskes

University of Milan, Italy

​Massimo Banzi

​Massimo Banzi

Interaction Designer, Educator, Technologist and Co-founder, Arduino, Italy

Lorenza Baroncelli

Lorenza Baroncelli

Director, Department of Architecture and Contemporary Design, MAXXI Museum, Italy

Conference Chairs

Viktor Malakuczi

Viktor Malakuczi

Researcher and Assistant Professor, Department of Planning, Design and Technology of Architecture, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Angela Giambattista

Angela Giambattista

Researcher and Assistant Professor, Department of Planning, Design and Technology of Architecture, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Research Network Chairs

Loredana Di Lucchio

Loredana Di Lucchio

PhD, Full Professor in Design, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

Lorenzo Imbesi

Lorenzo Imbesi

Architect; Professor, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

Conference & Network Partners

Media Package

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Conference Hashtag: #ICDPP26

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