As the late great Massimo Vignelli once said, “Design is utilitarian, art is not.” The design track at SXSW reinforces that message exactly. While there are a plethora of design sessions across all disciplines, the tope five design sessions below express the best this industry has to offer when it comes to the intersection of design and utility.

Design for Inclusivity: How and Why to Get Started

As we continue to use the web and technology, it is important that we remember to be inclusive of all types of users. Be sure to attend this panel where Szu Yu Huang from Google, Allison Shaw from Zendesk, Emma Schwarts from Shutterstock and Marco Salsiccia talk about the critical role inclusivity plays in their design process.

Friday, March 8
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
JW Marriott
Salon 6

Using Design “Differently” to Make a Difference

Design has the power to transform — to change minds, the status quo and what we expect. This session is all about about exactly that: pushing boundaries. Sit in on this panel as photographer and designer Josh Rubin moderates the conversation between Mercedes-Benz’s Gorden Wagener and rapper A$AP Rocky.

Monday, March 11
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Austin Convention Center
Ballroom D

Detox Your Product: Design for Digital Well-being

When you think of a detox, you’ll most likely think of some kind of juice cleanse or low-carb diet. As we continue forward in this digital world, however, a digital-detox is something we all have to think about now. How can tech companies help design apps that are less addictive and promote a healthy online/offline balance? Find out by attending this panel where we hear Kristina Bonitz from SinnerSchrader and Pamela Pavlisca from Change Sciences discuss how to maintain a solid digital well-being.

Friday, March 8
5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
JW Marriott
Salon 6

Designing Homes for a Sustainable Urban Future

According to the United Nations, 2.5 billion people will be added to urban populations by 2050. With these global population consistently rising, sustainable planning is an ever-growing issue. Hear from New York Times contributor Candace Jackson, Bumblebee Spaces’ Sankarshan Murthy, Cover’s Alexis Rivas and Starcity’s Mo Sakrani on how they’re changing this generation’s definition of what a home really is.

Sunday, March 10
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
JW Marriott – Salon 6

Designing Digital Media for Mental Health

Let’s put our cards on the table here; the majority of people are either unable or unwilling to to hit that “off-switch” when it comes to tech. Keeping that in mind, it is imperative we discuss and design all kinds of technologies that enhance our mental health and well-being whilst alleviating emotional distress. In this panel, you will hear from 7 Cups’ Kate Niederhoffer and Ustwo Studios’ Carsten Wierwille as they discuss where psychological framework meets product design.

Wednesday, March 13
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
JW Marriott
Salon 5