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William Knight

Design Promoter and Consultant

William Knight is a prominent figure in the design industry, serving as the Co-Founder of Material Matters, a trade-focused fair that emphasizes the significance of material intelligence in design and architecture. He has over 20 years of experience in design promotion, having held key positions such as Director of 100% Design, Clerkenwell Design Week, and Deputy Director of the London Design Festival. Additionally, he was the Director of Dubai Design Week for two years, further showcasing his international expertise in the field.134

Material Matters, which Knight co-founded with Grant Gibson, originally began as a podcast in 2019 before evolving into a physical exhibition. The fair aims to connect various stakeholders in the design community and highlight innovative materials and their applications in contemporary design.23 Knight's extensive background in organizing significant design events has positioned him well to lead this initiative, which seeks to foster collaboration and promote sustainable practices within the industry.124

In his current role, Knight also directs The Renew Consultancy, which provides strategic consultancy and project management services within the design sector. His work focuses on developing new business models and fostering connections among designers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders.13

Highlights

Sep 6 · linkedin

Material Matters with two hits in the 'Ten must-see installations at London Design Festival 2024' from Dezeen. So pleased and proud to have female-led projects headlining the fair for the third year running.

Props to Charlotte Kidger and Katie-May Boyd for taking on the entrance of Bargehouse to launch their new venture: Studio TIP. Their research-led project 'TIP Takes' reconsiders the value of construction waste; a vital issue that needs urgent attention. #creativity in action.

Also delighted to have crafting plastics! studio returning to the fair this year. Vlasta Kubušová and her team have made stunning contributions to our past two editions. The launch of Collection 14 at the fair - stackable stools made from a biobased and biodegradable material, Nuatan is bound to be a hit.

Thank you Jane Englefield for including two of the 55 amazing exhibitor presentations we've got lined up at Material Matters 2024. I love the reference to Material Matters as a design think tank. Come and judge for yourself:

Free for trade / £15 for public - Material Matters 2024 takes place 18-21 September at Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf on London's Bankside as part of the London Design Festival. #Register to visit here: https://lnkd.in/erZqd_CA

#MaterialMatters #MM24 #MaterialMatters24 #MaterialMattersFair

Jun 29 · linkedin

A rare day in London without my #bike. Game shoes on for tonight's panel discussion at ING Media on design fairs & workplace - RSVP link below.

The blurb: Design fairs are cornerstones of the industry calendars internationally. Whether Salone del Mobile.Milano, Clerkenwell Design Week and London Design Festival, or 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen, these events gather the architecture and design communities to present the latest innovations and trends with jaw-dropping installations.

Over recent years, we have seen an increasing focus on the future of work at design fairs as designers endeavour to find beautiful yet functional solutions for office environments.

But what influence do these events have on the workplace?

This session, chaired by ING’s Simone Bettoli, will feature me + Tina Norden, Duncan Riches, Carlotta Dove, discussing how the latest trends from this year’s design fairs will translate into how we design and experience our offices and the benefits this will bring to both landlords and tenants.

Register / RSVP via Eventbrite here: https://lnkd.in/ea6sp4v2

#workplace #design #designpromotion #designfairs #materialmatters

Related Questions

What inspired William Knight to co-found Material Matters?
How did William Knight's experience with Dubai Design Week influence his work at Material Matters?
What are some of the most innovative materials showcased at Material Matters?
How does Material Matters differ from other design exhibitions?
What role does Grant Gibson play in the success of Material Matters?
William Knight
William Knight, photo 1
William Knight, photo 2
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Experience

Director at The Renew Consultancy (September 2019 - Present)
Material Matters (February 2022 - Present), Design Dialogue (February 2020 - Present)

Education

BA in Modern History, Economics and Politics from Royal Holloway, University of London (1992 - 1995)

Location

London, England, United Kingdom