KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Tom Pelling

Senior Experience Designer at DixonBaxi

Tom has been crafting and building digital experiences for 8 years. Educated in traditional graphic design, he believes that combining craft and innovation can make the world a better place to live for everyone.
He joined DixonBaxi nearly two years ago and has worked with ITVX, TNT Sports and Max to deliver new experiences for their audiences. As well as some top secret projects that are yet to be announced.
DixonBaxi have a global reputation as leading creatives in branding and design, and are sought out by some of the world’s most forward-thinking companies to help them connect with and inspire their audiences.
DixonBaxi believes there has never been a greater need to future-proof brands in a world of rapid, constant change.
They’re trusted by Netflix, IMAX, Audible, AC Milan, AT&T, Headspace, The Premier League and British Land. Companies that seek to be bold and challenge convention.


Tom has been crafting and building digital experiences for 8 years. Educated in traditional graphic design, he believes that combining craft and innovation can make the world a better place to live for everyone.
He joined DixonBaxi nearly two years ago and has worked with ITVX, TNT Sports and Max to deliver new experiences for their audiences. As well as some top secret projects that are yet to be announced.
DixonBaxi have a global reputation as leading creatives in branding and design, and are sought out by some of the world’s most forward-thinking companies to help them connect with and inspire their audiences.
DixonBaxi believes there has never been a greater need to future-proof brands in a world of rapid, constant change.
They’re trusted by Netflix, IMAX, Audible, AC Milan, AT&T, Headspace, The Premier League and British Land. Companies that seek to be bold and challenge convention.

Emília Duarte

Full Professor at IADE, Universidade Europeia. Coordinator of UNIDCOM/IADE
Emília Duarte, designer with a PhD in Human Kinetics and specialization in Ergonomics, is full professor at IADE, Universidade Europeia, Lisbon, Portugal and the coordinator of UNIDCOM/IADE - Research Unit in Design and Communication. She also coordinates the PhD in Design course at IADE. From 2014-2016 she was appointed vice-rector for research of IADE-U. Her research interests are related with subjects as cognitive ergonomics, user experience, interaction design, emotional design, design for behaviour change and design for health and wellbeing.

Emília Duarte, designer with a PhD in Human Kinetics and specialization in Ergonomics, is full professor at IADE, Universidade Europeia, Lisbon, Portugal and the coordinator of UNIDCOM/IADE - Research Unit in Design and Communication. She also coordinates the PhD in Design course at IADE. From 2014-2016 she was appointed vice-rector for research of IADE-U. Her research interests are related with subjects as cognitive ergonomics, user experience, interaction design, emotional design, design for behaviour change and design for health and wellbeing.

Ann Bessemans

Research Coordinator and Researcher at READSEARCH - MAD Research
Ann Bessemans (prof. dr.) is a legibility expert and award-winning typographic/type designer. She founded the READSEARCH legibility research group at the PXL-MAD School of Arts and Hasselt University (Faculty of Architecture and Arts, and the Data Science Institute (DSI)). At PXL she teaches typography and type design. Ann is the program director of the international Master program ‘Reading Type & Typography’ where the subject matches READSEARCH’s research lines. In 2012, she obtained her PhD from Leiden University and Hasselt University under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Gerard Unger. She was granted multiple grants by Microsoft Advanced Reading Technologies (USA) for her innovative and pioneering projects, on for example visual prosody. Due to her data-driven approach to practical legibility studies, Ann has made contributions to the field of legibility research and international type and typographic design. These studies provide a robust scientific foundation, equipping type designers and typographers with valuable data to better serve the diverse reading needs of all, including those struggling and with impairments.
She actively engages in various academic and research roles, currently holding a membership at the Data Science Institute, actively participating in the working group Art, Science and Technology at the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science, an advisory board member for the journal Visible Language and an educational committee member and lecturer at the Plantin Institute of Typography. Ann Bessemans collaborates within interdisciplinary teams, initiating innovative research projects within the READSEARCH research group's areas of focus. Ann is known internationally as a lecturer and workshop leader in typography and interdisciplinary matters.

Ann Bessemans (prof. dr.) is a legibility expert and award-winning typographic/type designer. She founded the READSEARCH legibility research group at the PXL-MAD School of Arts and Hasselt University (Faculty of Architecture and Arts, and the Data Science Institute (DSI)). At PXL she teaches typography and type design. Ann is the program director of the international Master program ‘Reading Type & Typography’ where the subject matches READSEARCH’s research lines. In 2012, she obtained her PhD from Leiden University and Hasselt University under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Gerard Unger. She was granted multiple grants by Microsoft Advanced Reading Technologies (USA) for her innovative and pioneering projects, on for example visual prosody. Due to her data-driven approach to practical legibility studies, Ann has made contributions to the field of legibility research and international type and typographic design. These studies provide a robust scientific foundation, equipping type designers and typographers with valuable data to better serve the diverse reading needs of all, including those struggling and with impairments.
She actively engages in various academic and research roles, currently holding a membership at the Data Science Institute, actively participating in the working group Art, Science and Technology at the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science, an advisory board member for the journal Visible Language and an educational committee member and lecturer at the Plantin Institute of Typography. Ann Bessemans collaborates within interdisciplinary teams, initiating innovative research projects within the READSEARCH research group's areas of focus. Ann is known internationally as a lecturer and workshop leader in typography and interdisciplinary matters.

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