26 February 2026Events target group: Creative,Entrepreneur,Urban renovator,Future Maker,Explorer

#HVDV26 Talk @Abby - How design creates impact

The Henry van de Velde Awards showcase and honour Flemish designers, companies and public authorities that, thanks to the smart use of design, have a positive impact on society, the environment and the economy. What is the story behind this year's winners? Seven winners will tell their stories on 1 April at Abby Kortrijk. This #HVDV26 Talk is a collaboration between Flanders District of Creativity and Designregio Kortrijk. Attendance is free, but registration is required.

The Talks will be opened by the winner of the Company Gold Award. Afterwards, six projects from the categories Business Innovation, Graphics, Consumer, Design Research and Spaces will tell their stories. Stay after the talks to chat over a drink.

Speakers

•Thibault Renson, Prado

Thibault Renson trained as a commercial engineer and worked for The Coca-Cola Company for five years before founding Prado. He is passionate about marketing, design and technology, and focuses on product, innovation and brand development at Prado on a daily basis. Prado is building 'invisible home technology': technical solutions that bring peace and simplicity to residential construction. The company works closely with interior designers in Europe, the Middle East and the United States. Following the acquisition of Rond in 2022, The Prado Family continued to grow in 2025 with the addition of Vervloet and Atelier Luxus, the next step in building an international home of high-quality brands in design and construction.

Prado wins the Henry van de Velde Company Award

•Designer Sofie Middernacht

Sofie Middernacht is a multidisciplinary designer and visual artist, known for Middernacht & Alexander. Her work is intuitive and layered, with a strong focus on light, texture and the psychological dimension. In her minimalist approach, materials carry their history and invite the viewer to slow down and pay attention.

Porcelain Dawn wins the Henry van de Velde Crafts by Bokrijk Silver Award 26

•Designer Esther Van Schuylenbergh

Esther Van Schuylenbergh is a textile designer who focuses on the development of woven interior textiles. She experiments with advanced weaving techniques and materials, combining hands-on craftsmanship with digital processes and industrial production. During the event, she will talk about how this cross-pollination leads to innovative and surprising results.

Shifting Colors wins the Henry van de Velde Crafts by Bokrijk Bronze Award 26

•David Pas, Verhaert

With over 30 years of experience at Verhaert, David Pas is a key figure within Strategic Innovation. In his strategic role, he guides ambitious companies – from international corporations such as Nestlé and Henkel to start-ups from the imec.istart programme – in optimising their innovation process. His expertise lies in optimally aligning the value proposition with the three crucial pillars: customer needs, technical feasibility and economic viability.

Walden BOX wins the Henry van de Velde Digital Design Silver Award 26

•Katrijn Goethals, Samsonite

Katrijn Goethals is Sustainability Project Lead at Samsonite. She works to reduce environmental impact through collaboration and conscious choices in design and development. In her talk, she shows how companies and teams can achieve circularity together using design thinking and digital product passports as powerful tools.

Essens Circular wins the Henry van de Velde Environment Gold Award 26

•Designer Dragan Marinkovic

Dragan Marinkovic is a lecturer, freelance graphic designer and typography researcher. He works at the intersection of design, typography, identity and culture, develops new fonts and wrote the book Tussenruimte (Interstice) on these themes. Inspired by cinema, philosophy, sociology and psychology, he explores how visual language reveals stories, connects people and opens up new perspectives.

Tussenruimte wins the Henry van de Velde Graphics Gold Award 26

•Sarah Keymeulen, Abby

Sarah Keymeulen is a historian and director of Abby Kortrijk, a new museum of visual arts that opened its doors in March 2025. Under her leadership, the museum has opted for a curious, open and polyphonic approach, experimenting with new perspectives on art and heritage, on creativity and humanity, on the museum, the city and society.

Abby Kortrijk wins the Henry van de Velde Spaces Silver Award 26