During DesignMarch festival, our CEO Kristín Eva Ólafsdóttir joined a diverse panel of industry leaders at Invest in Design, an official DesignMarch 2025 event by Landsbankinn focused on the vital role of design in business, society, and the future. The discussion, moderated by Karitas Diðriksdóttir, brought together perspectives from across the design and finance sectors to explore the central question: Why invest in design—and how?
Event photos: Sunna Ben
In her presentation, she walked through three Gagarin projects that demonstrate design’s power at different scales:
The Nordic Pavilion for Expo 2025 in Japan
This major international project brings together five nations—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden—under one roof. The challenge? Creating a unified design language that reflects shared values while resonating with Japanese audiences. The result is an immersive, multisensory experience filled with light, motion, and sound—featuring music by Icelandic composers Sindri Már and Kjartan Hólm —that will echo through the pavilion over the next six months. Nine additional interactive stories and a mobile experience invite visitors to explore Nordic life and values while waiting in line, blending education and engagement with playful digital storytelling. (Designed by Gagarin, Kvorning and Rintala Eggertsson)
The Natural History Museum in Oslo
This collaboration with Atelier Brückner showcases how design can transform public education. Gagarin created 27 interactive installations that bring natural science to life for visitors of all ages. These experiences range from tactile interfaces and digital simulations to immersive visual narratives—all aimed at fostering curiosity, learning, and emotional connection to the natural world. It’s a testament to how design can support museums and cultural institutions' mission to inspire and inform.
Climeworks' visitor centre in Iceland
Climeworks, a Swiss climate-tech company, specializes in carbon capture—removing CO₂ directly from the atmosphere. Gagarin was tasked with designing an experience that communicates this cutting-edge science to a high-level audience, including investors, policymakers, academics, and business leaders. Unlike museum projects, this visitor center focuses on strategic storytelling: breaking down complex science into understandable narratives, visual metaphors, and interactive elements that encourage action. It’s design as clarity—and as climate advocacy.
During the "Invest in Design" event, Minister of Industry and Innovation, Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, honoured Eyjólfur Pálsson, founder of Epal, for his half-century of contributions to Icelandic design. Eyjólfur likened his role to a symphony conductor—guiding, harmonising, and selecting the pieces to be performed. This tribute underscored the enduring impact of his leadership and vision in shaping the nation's design landscape.
Design isn’t just about solving problems today—it’s about imagining what’s possible tomorrow Kristin Eva Olafsdottir
Investing in the Future of Design
Wrapping up, Kristín Eva emphasised that Gagarin works with clients who invest in design and actively invest in design themselves. We continue to grow, learn, and connect with people, cultures, and challenges worldwide by participating in international competitions and tenders.
We’re proud to have participated in Invest in Design and to contribute to this important conversation on how design can drive value and shape a better future.