Photo: iF Design Hannover. The iF Design Trend Conference 2026 at the iconic AXICA building, next to the Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin, on April 28, one day after the iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT 2026.
During the event, which he attended News PackagingThe new one was presented iF Design Trend Report 2026Available free of charge until July 7, 2026. In its fifth edition, this 300-page report connects interdisciplinary design trends with the most relevant technological and social developments.
Craftsmanship vs. artificial intelligence
Nearly 500 attendees participated in a program focused on global design trends. The various presentations addressed how craftsmanship and artificial intelligence are more connected than we think.
iF Design Trend Conference 2026 Agenda:
- Branko Lukic (Cognitive Architecture, San Jose/California): The value of human imperfection in the age of AI.
- Borja Martinez Perez (I'M SORRY, Barcelona/Spain): The relevance of analog creativity in a digital world.
- Mouna Andraos & Melissa Mongiat (Daily tous les jours, Montreal/Canada): Redefining public space and human interaction for the 21st century.
- Robert Hodgin (Rare Volume, Brooklyn/New York): The role of creativity in an age of increasing automation.
Photo: iF Design Hannover.
LO SIENTO Studio: the defense that hands are a living tool for creating
The studio presented its most outstanding projects, which are handcrafted. One of the four presentations was given by Borja Martínez, founder of the graphic design studio LO SIENTO, based in Barcelona. Founded in 2007, the firm bases its philosophy on creativity, innovation and constant experimentation, with a strong commitment to artisanal processes.
“Hand Thinking” This was the title of the conference, which focused on reclaiming the value of craftsmanship as a creative force and distinctive feature in a time of digital revolution. Martínez wanted to demonstrate, and succeeded, that hands remain a living and essential tool for creation. He did so by showing the audience some of the firm's projects, handcrafted and, above all, made with a deep passion for FEELING that they create pieces with meaning and purpose.
Claudia di Paolo x I'M SORRY
One of the projects presented was the packaging developed by the studio for Claudia di PaoloA company specializing in luxury cosmetics commissioned them to create packaging that would both house a hair care product and symbolize the essence of the brand. The brief was not simple: “We want every customer to feel like they have a treasure in their hands.”
As the studio explains on its website, the inspiration came from the organic beauty of the natural stonesA symbol of strength and purity. The design not only replicates the shape of the stone, but also interprets its essence through smooth lines and fluid curves that intertwine in a rounded topographic form.
The material chosen was the plasterboardIn line with the company's sustainability values, the packaging is designed in two pieces joined by hidden magnets, adding a touch of magic to the user experience.
Each unit is carefully assembled by hand, piece by piece, guaranteeing the uniqueness of each container. This manual assembly reinforces the product's exclusive character, making it difficult to replicate through automated processes with the same level of precision and detail employed by these master artisans.
Photo: LO SIENTO Studio.
