How Design Works | Dutch Design Week 2025

Design accelerates innovation, connects disciplines, and helps organisations create both social and economic value. During How Design Works, designers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers show how design actually works — in practice and through collaboration.

The programme is organised by Dutch Design Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), and takes place on Wednesday 22 October during Mission Day: Digital Futures at Dutch Design Week 2025.

What to expect
The day begins with a talk show highlighting successful collaborations between designers and businesses. Start-ups and grown-ups share their experiences, insights, and lessons learned about how design contributes to entrepreneurship, growth, and social impact.

Featuring contributions from:

• Jos Oberdorf (npk design) – on how design impacts client success.
• Reinder Bakker & Hester van Dijk (Pretty Plastic) – from circular design research to a successful start-up.
• Alain Dujardin (Greenberry) – on inclusive and purpose-driven digital design.
• Annemieke Broesterhuizen (RVO) – on supporting SMEs and connecting design to sustainable economic development.
• Martijn Paulen (Dutch Design Foundation) – on the power of visibility on an international stage.

After the talk show, participants join a network lunch with over 400 designers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. In the afternoon, a guided design tour explores DDW exhibitions featuring entrepreneurial designers. Participants receive a DDW wristband giving access to the full week’s events.

More information and registration here.