In our latest edition of ‘5+1’ we spoke to Kim N. Fischer, design expert, trend scout and consultant. She helps trade fairs like IFA Berlin to develop new formats and to successfully interleave on- and offline. Before Kim worked for the Cologne Trade Fair where she was responsible for the topics design and architecture. Find out more about her job, what good design means to her, how the digital age affects trade fairs, her favourite form of transportation and her view on the future of mobility

1. You are design expert, trend scout and consultant. You currently work for the platform SHIFT mobility, a unit of the IFA Berlin. What does your job involve? 

For IFA Berlin I am developing innovative global and contemporary Formats x Content – addressing exhibitors, media, consumer and visitor alike. Everyone needs game changers, creative visionaries and disruptive people. Innovation is the transformation of knowledge into money. I visited almost every trade show in the world from SXSW, CES, Beijing design week to Salone del Mobile to art Basel Miami. I am collecting every single inspiration to create something new – as for example one of my latest projects SHIFT mobility. The thing is that creating new concepts only works, if the mindset of the company is given and allows fresh thinking and free creation.

2. What is good design for you?

Basically it is your personal style that creates the idea. The look and feel of design is one of the most killer-arguments for a contemporary brand. Your corporate design shows the inside and demonstrates the mindset of the company you are representing. That’s why we need a sexy experience inside and out – the 90’s are over.

3. We live in the digital age. How does this affect trade fairs? Do we still need physical fairs or does the future of exhibitions lie in virtual reality? 

Humans need humans and this will not change in the future. I think COVID-19 is showing how much we need the personal exchange and emotions. But I am 100 % convinced that live events need more experience, networking, great content to communicate on- and offline. Live Experience x Events will be extended virtually. The best case is IFA Berlin – we are taking place physically and digitally with a never-seen-before experience. Check it out.

4. What is your favourite form of transportation and why? 

I am really happy to have my own car in the current situation. It's 100 % electric with a great sustainable interior design. The transportation or I call it ‘people mover’ needs to be aware, aesthetic with a great service according to my lifestyle – this his is my claim.

5. The future of mobility. How will we move forward? Is the car a discontinued model or will only the ownership of the car change? How will the future of mobility look like for you?

Car-sharing is great. Not sharing my car with everyone is great, too. I guess. My Idea would be to limit sharing to the neighborhood or house you’re living in. "Owning" a car is more efficient then. Autonomous driving is an awesome idea – ‘cause often driving a car during the day in a crowded city is no fun at all. Evil drivers, no parking, losing work time is stressful. It’s different on weekends or during vacation where I enjoy driving my car and having my very own four-wheel experience.

And the +1 question from Kim to you: “How important is for you to have your own car? After COVID-19 …”

– Very important (via Instagram)

Pictures: Kim N. Fischer
Interview: Britta Reineke