A program that demonstrates how the power of design accelerates innovation and helps organizations move forward. This first edition takes place during Mission Day: Digital Futures, at Dutch Design Week 2025.

Mission Days is a special, content-driven program and part of DDW. It is the meeting place for designers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers who are working together on solutions for societal challenges—or who want to learn more about them.

What to expect?

We kick off with a talk show highlighting successful collaborations between designers and the business community. Both start-ups and established companies will share concrete experiences, insights, and lessons learned.

The first guests are:

  • Pretty Plastic – Reinder Bakker & Hester van Dijk: how design research into circular plastic grew into a successful start-up.

  • npk design – Jos Oberdorf: on the impact of design on the success of their clients.

  • Martijn Paulen – Director of Dutch Design Foundation: on the impact of visibility on the international stage of Dutch Design Week.

The program will be moderated by designer Tiara Spalburg. From her work at the InnovationHub of network operator Alliander and her focus on systemic challenges, she regularly facilitates conversations where design, innovation, and culture come together.

After the talk show, join the Mission Days networking lunch, where more than 400 designers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers will connect. In the afternoon, we’ll explore DDW exhibitions by enterprising designers together on a guided design tour. As a tour participant, you’ll receive a DDW wristband, giving you access to DDW for the rest of the week.

There are two ways to take part in How Design Works:

  • the full-day program (the morning program, lunch and the tour)

  • just the morning program followed by lunch.

You can indicate your preference when registering.

 

Accessibility:
Information about parking and transport to DDW can be found here.

 

We look forward to seeing you on October 22!

 

Locations

Natlab
Kastanjelaan 500, 5616 LZ Eindhoven

Plan your route