On the last Friday in May, the Museum of Polish History hosted the second edition of the Next Design Summit – an event that once again demonstrated that today’s interior architect needs far more than just an eye for aesthetics, a strong portfolio and talent. Three elements contributed to the success of the second edition of the Next Design Summit: the courage to tackle topics the industry rarely discusses in public, knowledge drawn from outside the architectural bubble, and the exceptional energy of the participants. This time, the excitement was not fuelled by the aesthetic impressions and stimuli characteristic of the design industry, but by change, big names, uncomfortable questions, surprising figures and tools that designers could implement the very next day. Networking proved to be a major strength of the event. An avalanche of recordings, reports and photos posted by guests literally flooded social media, showing that attending the event was more than just taking part in a conference. For many, it became a conscious investment in developing their own brand, building professional relationships and actively participating in a community that wants to collectively set new standards for the design industry. Over 500 designers from all over Poland attended the event!
The Next Design Summit was not just another conference on trends, colours or new collections. It was a discussion on how to build a profitable practice, protect one’s own interests, effectively communicate the value of one’s work and find one’s place in the new reality. Nor was NDS an event where architects lectured other architects. The Programme Council, made up of designers, identified the problems they face on a daily basis, but the answers were sought outside the world of architecture. The programme featured specialists in management, sales, communication, psychology, neuromarketing and new technologies – areas which today largely determine whether a design studio operates professionally, profitably and has room for further growth.
The speakers’ presentations frequently featured figures. These were not, however, numbers of likes, followers or shades of beige. They were figures describing everyday life: margins and commissions, hours wasted on inefficient processes, choices that overload one’s mental capacity, the scale of burnout in the creative industry, demographic forecasts showing how many people will have to move house in the coming years, or the noise levels affecting the comfort of those using the space. It was precisely these figures – sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes surprising, and often changing the way we think about the profession – that evoked some of the strongest emotions in the audience at the Museum of Polish History.
Architects today do not need further inspiration. They need tools to work with.
The interior design industry is undergoing one of the greatest transformations in its history. Processes are becoming more complex, the choice of products is vast and their technical specifications are extensive. Clients expect more, developers are offering turnkey solutions, and new sales channels are emerging. The designer’s responsibility is growing, and with it the need for professionalisation of the profession. In times of increasing competition, price pressure, automation and AI, the success of a design studio depends on business, strategic and communication skills. The designer is no longer merely a creator of aesthetic spaces. Increasingly, they become a negotiator, planner, organiser of the investment process, advisor and business partner to the client. You need to be able to value your work, communicate with the client, safeguard your interests through a contract, manage a team and your time, control the process and build a brand. That is why the Next Design Summit programme was built around topics that genuinely impact designers’ ability to work effectively. This is precisely why the talks so often sparked emotions, discussions and reflections.
The courage to talk about taboo subjects
One of the main aims of the event was to open up discussion on topics that are still too often overlooked in the industry. Designers still rarely talk about money or safeguarding their own interests. Many of these issues remain in a grey area of understatement, which encourages unethical behaviour and hinders the development of a mature business culture. The Next Design Summit created a space to discuss these issues openly, substantively and professionally. Many participants emphasised that these talks were among the most valuable parts of the programme.
Speakers addressed difficult problems, not idealised scenarios
The event was dynamically hosted by Olivier Janiak (editor-in-chief of GQ Poland), and the key speakers included experts and practitioners.
Wojciech Plona – a business advisor and financial strategist – focused on valuations, negotiations, discounts and building project profitability.
Katarzyna Kraszewska delivered a motivational talk on one of the most hotly debated topics – sales commission. She spoke about formalising brokerage services, relationships with suppliers and the need for greater respect for the designer’s role in the client’s purchasing process.
Dagmara Brzezińska highlighted the organisational challenges faced by many design studios. She explained why companies fail to grow despite an increasing number of orders, and how crucial delegation of responsibilities, an appropriate organisational structure, a strong work culture and a clearly defined brand DNA are to their scaling up. She emphasised that one of the most common barriers to a studio’s growth is the way it is managed, and that the owner themselves very often becomes the limiting factor.
Paweł Tkaczyk dealt uncompromisingly with the most common marketing mistakes made by designers. In simple and blunt language, he explained how a brand should be built to win commissions. And he suggested we stop saying that in this industry, only Instagram sells.
Marcin P. Stopa spoke about the decision-making mechanisms of clients and ourselves, users’ cognitive safety, and the impact of how offers are presented on clients’ decisions.
Joanna Jurga took participants into the future of neuroarchitecture, urban planning and design that responds to demographic and social challenges, as well as anticipated crises. She spoke about the need for a sense of security and useful solutions for users of architecture.
Henryk Kwapisz presented the topic of the impact of noise pollution on the quality of life of space users. He discussed sources of noise in modern buildings, the mechanisms of sound propagation, and ways to mitigate its negative impact through appropriate design solutions and the selection of materials.
Paweł Pilarczyk demonstrated basic and quick applications of artificial intelligence in a designer’s daily work – using AI applications to create visualisations, build prompts and accelerate conceptual processes.
The Programme Councilwas also present on stage and in the networking areas : Katarzyna Kraszewska, Agnieszka Przewoźna, Anna Kuk-Dutka, Piotr Łucyan, Ola Ziarek, Nastazja Kropidłowska-Słaboszewska, Agnieszka Wójtowicz, Łukasz Michalski, Bartosz Deka.
Following the event, NDS 2026 participants will receive access to recordings of all talks and presentations, enabling them to gain a thorough understanding of the subject matter. Along with these materials, they receive a professional and effective client contract template prepared in collaboration with lawyers.
The most valuable moments took place between the talks
One of the strongest elements of the second edition of the Next Design Summit turned out to be the networking and the extraordinary energy of the participants. Architects and interior designers from all over Poland came to Warsaw – ranging from experienced studio owners to those just starting their professional careers and the new generation of creatives. Participants were active from the very start of the event right through to the evening networking session, making the most of every opportunity to chat and make connections.
The unique location of the WXCA project and the specially designed networking zones provided the perfect conditions for building relationships and creating content. The organisers were surprised by the scale of activity on social media – hundreds of posts, photos, videos and tags showed that attending the event was more than just taking part in a conference. For many participants, it was a conscious investment in developing their personal brand and building professional relationships.
Launch of new tools for the industry
During the event, two new technological solutions were also presented to support designers’ work; these are products created by the organiser, NDS, for the entire design ecosystem
Find a Designer – a platform where, from today, all designers can register and create their profiles. ZnajdźProjektanta.pl is a smart platform that matches clients with interior designers, designers and landscape architects. The client enters their requirements, budget and style – the system matches them with a designer whose studio actually fits that brief. No more random scrolling through Instagram, no more catalogues of outdated listings. It is Poland’s first world-class matchmaking platform for the design industry.
Deccore – a tool streamlining the management of the design process and collaboration between designers, manufacturers, suppliers and investors. The Deccore system operates on two levels. The web panel is the studio’s working environment – architects manage projects, teams, files and shopping lists there. The mobile app is the client’s space – this is where they make decisions, approve proposals and comment on the design. The architect has full access to it, so they can maintain an ongoing dialogue with the client wherever they are – in the studio, on site or on the move. Business partners involved in the collaboration gain early access to Deccore and can integrate their product catalogues.
Further features for designers will be added to the app gradually. Soon, they will be able to create cost estimates directly within the system, as well as monitor the amount of their commission as early as the product addition stage. This commission will be automatically calculated and paid once the client places an order. Additionally, the system will notify Deccore of the need to issue an invoice for the specified amount, eliminating the need for direct arrangements between architects and manufacturers regarding commissions. This makes the process fully transparent and eliminates potential misunderstandings.
From the end customer’s perspective, this means access to attractive prices for all furnishings in one place, through a seamless and convenient purchasing process.
The whole industry needed an event like this
The huge interest from participants, record-breaking activity on social media and discussions continuing long after the conference ended show that the design industry wants change. A change in the way we think about the profession, its professionalisation, and bolder, more transparent conversations about business. The future of interior design does not depend solely on aesthetics. It depends on whether people want to develop themselves, their companies and the entire industry.
The scale of participants’ engagement shows that the Next Design Summit format has been well thought out. Already, we can see the first attempts by other market players to draw inspiration from this model. However, the organisers make no secret of the fact that their ambition from the outset was to create a new category of events for architects – focused not on trends, but on business development, the professionalisation of the profession and preparing the industry for the challenges of the future.
The Next Design Summit will return next year. The next edition of the event will once again bring together designers, architects, business experts, partners and the media, continuing the conversation on how to build a stronger, more conscious and modern design industry in Poland.
Organisers: Deccore & Znajdź Projektanta
Partners: Strategic partners: Laufen, Modular / Pan i Pani od Światła, Łazienka | Main partners: Maxfliz, Miele, Blum, Egger, Jeger, IWC Home |Event partners: Rehau, Jung Polska, Oakcent, Skjur, Lexus
More information at:www.nextdesignsummit.pl Instagram Facebook LinkedIn
Photos: Tomasz Ginter
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