Design Innovation Update 5 | Equal Society

Design power only truly comes into its own when built on a foundation of diversity and inclusion. Without that foundation, the risk is a monoculture that reinforces siloed thinking and leaves underrepresented groups out of sight. In this Design Innovation Update, designers, researchers, and policymakers explore how inclusion leads to better and more targeted designs. – By Twan Eikelenboom

Innovative entrepreneur Kevin de Randamie identifies four levels of resistance that must be overcome to achieve change: psychological self-limitation, barriers within organizations, prevailing social norms, and economic and legal systems. His message: those who want to change systems must dare to deviate from the beaten path and accept the consequences – while keeping an eye on financial sustainability.

In addition, Tjitske Lovert (Inholland University of Applied Sciences), Sharmila Angoelal (Diversity Quest), Mirjam Suiker (theRevolution), and Anita Cremers (HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht) show how learning communities provide powerful environments for collective change. They offer space to learn, experiment, and collaborate toward a more inclusive practice – and make clear that systemic change requires time and perseverance.

Bart Ahsmann (Director of CLICKNL) and Jann de Waal (Chair of the Top Sector Creative Industry) place the theme in a broader perspective. Their conclusion: diversity and inclusion are not preconditions, but core principles that lead to designs and systems that truly work for people, the economy, and the planet.

These updates are based on the insights from the Design Innovation Sessions during Dutch Design Week 2024. Design power proves to be a versatile and powerful tool in addressing societal challenges.

Design by Thomas & Jurgen.
Photography and images: See captions, images used with permission from the creators and/or rights holders or sourced from provided press material.