Most of what we know of as design today happens without resulting in a physical product.

Nearly every design related industry and profession trades in digital files, including product design, graphic design, gaming, interiors and architecture, yet for some reason most designers see data as part of the process and choose not to acknowledge its independent value as intellectual property.

In fact, most designs are not protected in the digital realm, a seemingly alternate reality that rivals the physical world in terms of design users.

In an open discussion from the forefront of proprietary data in the age of computer generated files, platform distribution and design for digital production, we will attempt to find out, who owns the future?

Featuring:

Stephen Burks, A/D/O Designer-in-Residence and founder, Stephen Burks Man Made
Ginvile Ramanauskaite, Head of Marketing, CGTrader
Janki Gause, Director, Strategic Partnerships, Source3
Marcus Moore, Data Analyst, Source3

Moderator: Caitlin Hu, Deputy Editor, Quartz

SPEAKER BIOS

STEPHEN BURKS, Founder, Stephen Burks Man Made

For over a decade, industrial designer Stephen Burks has dedicated his work to building a bridge between authentic craft traditions, manufacturing, and contemporary design. Since 2005, Burks has consulted with non-profits around the world including Aid to Artisans, the Clinton Global Initiative and the Nature Conservancy, uniting the artisan, the designer and global brands in a triangle of immersive development. With his New York–based studio, Stephen Burks Man Made, Burks seeks to bring the hand to industry and extend craft traditions into the future. In 2015, Stephen Burks was the recipient of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award in product design and beginning this month he will be the first A/D/O designer-in-residence.

GINVILE RAMANAUSKAITE, Head of Marketing, CGTrader

Ginvile Ramanauskaite is currently running the marketing team of CGTrader, the largest 3D model marketplace for computer graphics, virtual/augmented reality and gaming, backed by a strong professional 3D designer community. Ginvile’s core focus in the team is growing the business through developing partnerships that help the company keep up with technological advancements and trends in CG, driving engagement within the designer community.

Prior to joining the company Ginvile worked in management consulting and furniture manufacturing industries. Her drive to be involved in the tech and design communities manifests itself not only through her work but also voluntary activities. As a co-organizer of TEDxVilnius for the past 5 years Ginvile has developed a strong interest in state of the art technologies and their use in bringing positive change.

JANKI GAUSE, Director Strategic Partnerships, Source3

Janki leads strategic business development and partnership programs for Source3’s brand partners. She has played a key role in soon to be launched innovative brand insights platform as well as conceiving and negotiating licenses of first impression for user-generated product platforms and emerging technologies.

Janki brings 10+ years of experience marketing and licensing corporate, fashion, entertainment and sports brands, including Estee Lauder and World Wrestling Entertainment. Prior to Source3, Janki worked at LMCA, a leading global brand extension agency, where she successfully secured mutlimillion dollar licenses for marquise clients like Forbes.

MARCUS MOORE, Data Analyst, Source3

Marcus is an analyst for Source3’s data and client operations team. He has been integral to the development and expansion of the company’s intellectual property mapping and recognition technology which enables the identification of branded content in any product for sale online.

Marcus brings extensive intellectual property and entertainment experience including copyright for BMG Rights Management and Mercer Law Associates. Prior to Source3, Marcus worked with YouTube’s Music Rights Ops team where he assisted in the successful launch of the YouTube Music App by identifying music rights holders to assure proper licensing and royalty payments.

CAITLIN HU - Deputy Editor, Quartz

Caitlin is a deputy news editor. She directs coverage of visual culture and the arts at Quartz, and oversees editorial photography. She has lived and reported across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Caitlin was previously the editor of COLORS Magazine in Italy. Before that, she translated at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Paris, and researched territory and asymmetric conflict in Rabat, Morocco. She holds an MA in philosophy from the Sorbonne, and an BA in International Relations/Security from Wellesley College. She has also worked at NASA, but—sorry—it's top secret.