On 27 June, a virtual conference called Where are the Black Designers? will tackle racism in design. Dezeen spoke to the organisers about its objectives and the "overwhelming" response from the industry. More about "Hire black designers first and foremost," say organisers of Where are the Black Designers? anti-racism conference
Dezeen Showroom: Kvadrat Shade is a roller-blind system designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec featuring textiles by Kvadrat. More about Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec design Kvadrat Shade roller blinds
In the second part of today's Virtual Design Festival collaboration with Serpentine Galleries, curator Rebecca Lewin speaks to Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew researcher Caroline Cornish and Ma-tt-er founder Seetal Solanki about how histories, politics and ecologies are embedded in materials. Tune in live from 11:00am UK time. More about Serpentine Galleries explores the political and ecological impact of materials in live talk for VDF
London College of Fashion graduate Aniela Fidler questions the role of emotion in economic value with her conceptual Diamond Makers Lab, which would make diamonds from meaningful objects such as Notre Dame ash or a mother's cake. More about Aniela Fidler envisions shop where sentimental objects are transformed into diamonds
Today's VDF collaboration with London's Serpentine Galleries kicks off with an exclusive premiere of its latest podcast, which features artists and designers Formafantasma, Dunne & Raby and Black Quantum Futurism, ahead of a live talk exploring the political and ecological impact of materials. More about Serpentine Galleries premieres Back to Earth podcast exploring ecological design at Virtual Design Festival
Dezeen Showroom: The pebble-like shell of the Adell chair is made from recycled plastic and designed by Arper to offer users "a welcoming and generous place of rest". More about Adell armchair by Arper
Armin Broger, CEO of Arper, discusses the Italian furniture brand's two new chair designs and online catalogue in this captioned video produced for the brand as part of VDF. More about Arper reveals recyclable chairs and a post-pandemic catalogue in video for VDF
Central Saint Martins graduate Jessan Macatangay incorporated deconstructed chairs into his striking fashion collection, to symbolise how people carry the weight of personal struggles. More about Jessan Macatangay makes fashion collection from drapery and chair frames
Munich-based architecture studio 1zu33 has created numerous spaces for brands including a snowy forest within a pop-up restaurant and a tranquil interior for an Aesop store. More about 1zu33 creates bespoke spaces that "connect brands with people"
Slovenian furniture brand Rex Kralj is unveiling four furniture series at the VDF products fair, all based on the work of late midcentury architect and designer Niko Kralj. More about Rex Kralj revives modernist furniture designs in VDF products fair showcase
Dezeen Showroom: A sleek metal rod runs along the underside of the Ena table, created by Danish designer Mikal Harrsen for furniture brand Rex Kralj, to form coat hooks on either side. More about Ena Table by Mikal Harrsen for Rex Kralj
Dezeen Showroom: The 1960 Chair, a seminal mid-century seating design from late Slovenian architect Niko Kralj, has been expanded into a product family with the 1960 Armchair and Bar Chair, created by Dutch designer Bart Schilder for Rex Kralj. More about 1960 Armchair and Bar Chair by Bart Schilder for Rex Kralj
Dezeen Showroom: Slovenian brand Rex Kralj has reimagined the Mosquito Chair by mid-century designer and architect Niko Kralj as a wooden bar stool. More about Mosquito Bar Stool by Rex Kralj
Dezeen Showroom: Wooden armrests adorn the metal wire frames of the Zelo seating collection, which furniture designer Tom Fereday has developed with Slovenian brand Rex Kralj. More about Zelo by Tom Fereday for Rex Kralj
Designer Piet Hein Eek spoke to Dezeen in a live Screentime conversation sponsored by Philips TV & Sound as part of Virtual Design Festival. More about Live interview with Piet Hein Eek as part of Virtual Design Festival
Dezeen promotion: these visuals by Italian brand Arper show how its modular furniture and room dividers could be used to promote social distancing in offices and airports amid the coronavirus crisis. More about Back to our Spaces by Arper reimagines airport and office designs after pandemic
A crystal-like table lamp that is modelled on Kryptonite, a fictional material featured in the Superman comics, is among the products that Lasvit is presenting at VDF products fair. More about Lasvit collection at VDF products fair features table lamp modelled on Kryptonite
Designer Robert Johnson presents a panel discussion around his Fatconomy system, which explores using London's wastes a sustainable material, as part of VDF's collaboration with the Design Museum. More about Robert Johnson discusses how to use waste fat as a sustainable material in talk for VDF and Design Museum
Designer Sebastian Cox spoke to Dezeen in a live Screentime conversation sponsored by Philips TV & Sound as part of Virtual Design Festival today. More about Live interview with Sebastian Cox as part of Virtual Design Festival
Dezeen Showroom: The distinctive tiles of Prague's metro stations served as as a visual reference for local designer Cyril Dunděra when creating his Globe Metro light for Lasvit. More about Globe Metro light by Cyril Dunděra for Lasvit