Caroline is one of the most forward-thinking voices in design today. As co-founder of the London-based futures agency FranklinTill, she has spent more than a decade exploring how materials, colour and design can drive positive social and environmental change. Working with global names such as Space 10, GF Smith, Caesarstone and Tarkett, her consultancy brings a unique mix of research, strategy and storytelling to help brands navigate an increasingly complex world.
Before setting up FranklinTill in 2010, Caroline directed the pioneering Material Futures postgraduate course at Central Saint Martins, helping shape a new generation of designers focused on innovation, systems thinking and sustainability. Her co-authored book Radical Matter: Rethinking materials for a sustainable future (Thames & Hudson), has become a touchstone for designers and academics alike, while her curatorial work, including the exhibition Our Time on Earth (Barbican, 2022), continues to inspire audiences internationally.
An articulate and thoughtful voice in the industry, Caroline describes herself as a ‘climate optimist’: someone who believes in design’s ability to repair rather than simply reduce. Her insights challenge the language of trends and sustainability, asking instead what it means to build systems that are genuinely life-enhancing.
Make sure you don’t miss this opportunity to hear her speak. Conference passes are available until 9 October 2025 at an early bird rate of £135 + VAT. Standard rate thereafter is £175 + VAT.
And in the meantime, you can delve into her design philosophy by listening to her conversation with Grant Gibson on our podcast.