AGI Open: A Rare Chance to Experience the Global Design Scene Up Close
The global design community comes to Reykjavík this autumn as AGI Open takes place on 1.–2. October. More than 30 designers from around the world have been confirmed for the programme, with the first five speakers now announced. A major source of inspiration for Iceland’s creative community, the conference brings some of the most distinctive voices in international design to Reykjavík. Early bird ticket sales end on 16 August.
AGI Open is an international design conference organised by Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI), a global association bringing together leading designers and creative practitioners from around the world. This October, Reykjavík will become a meeting point for the international design community as more than 100 AGI members gather in Iceland for the organisation’s annual international conference, held in the country for the first time.
The first five speakers have now been announced: Christoph Niemann, Julia Hasting, Verònica Fuerte, Javier Jaén and Siggi Eggertsson. Each has developed a distinctive practice and voice on the international stage.
Christoph Niemann is an internationally renowned artist, author and animator whose work has earned him a distinctive place in contemporary visual culture. His illustrations regularly appear on the covers of The New Yorker and The New York Times Magazine, and his work has been exhibited around the world. He is also the author of numerous books and is widely recognised for his inventive approach to visual storytelling. An entire episode of the Netflix series Abstract: The Art of Design was dedicated to his work.
Explore Christoph Niemann’s work
Julia Hasting is a book designer and Creative Director at the internationally renowned art and book publisher Phaidon Press, where she has worked for around two decades. She has played an influential role in shaping the publisher’s visual identity and has received numerous international awards for her work in book design.
Verònica Fuerte is the founder and Creative Director of Hey Studio in Barcelona, internationally recognised for its bold and distinctive visual language. She also serves on the board of the Art Directors Club and the Canva Designer Advisory Board.
Javier Jaén works across graphic design, illustration and visual storytelling and is known for his playful, conceptual approach to image-making. His work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Time and National Geographic, and his clients include UNESCO, Louis Vuitton, Netflix and Microsoft.
Siggi Eggertsson is an Icelandic illustrator and artist known for a distinctive visual language in which colour, geometry and pattern play a central role. Based in Berlin, he returns to Iceland for a rare appearance after many years working internationally.
For creative minds across disciplines
While many of the speakers come from a graphic design background, their work reaches far beyond the traditional boundaries of the field. Their practices span visual culture, communication, illustration, publishing, art, branding and digital media, working with a wide range of creative studios, publishers, cultural organisations and global companies, including names such as Pentagram and Google.
AGI Open therefore offers inspiration well beyond the graphic design community. The conference is relevant to anyone working across the creative industries, including advertising, art, communications, marketing, photography, film, publishing and other fields where ideas and visual culture intersect.
AGI Open takes place on 1.–2. October, with a varied programme of talks, conversations, workshops and opportunities to meet and connect with fellow creatives.
AGI Open is presented in collaboration with FÍT and Iceland Design and Architecture. The artistic direction is led by Karlssonwilker.
The conference is open to everyone. Members of FÍT and other member associations of Iceland Design and Architecture will have access to special ticket rates.
