PONT | Designing for social impact (DDW)

In the session Designing for Social Impact, we explore how to make an impact within the complex world of government.

We begin with an inspiring book presentation by Kees Dorst, whose new publication Reinventing Strategic Innovation – Create Deep Change (BIS Publishers, 2025) demonstrates how design-driven innovation can lead to deep systemic change.

How do you design a new system?

When the usual approach no longer works, we need to step away from business as usual, that’s what we call innovation. But what happens when innovation as usual itself falls short in addressing the big, systemic challenges that matter most? When innovation needs to be rethought from the ground up? Then we must look further and that’s where design comes in. Because system innovation is a design challenge.

In this short presentation, we explore how to redesign a system at every level, from idea to large-scale impact. What does that require? Which methods and tools can be used? And how does your role as a designer evolve when you take on this challenge?

In his new book, Kees draws on 25 case studies from sectors such as healthcare, insurance, housing, education, infrastructure, and consultancy to show how a design-driven approach can truly achieve deep systemic change. Because yes, it can be done!

The new book will be available hot off the press and at a special discount during this event: Reinventing Strategic Innovation – Create Deep Change (BIS Publishers, 2025), by Kees Dorst, Rodger Watson, and Barbara Doran, with contributions from 25 practitioners.

Afterwards, we’ll zoom in on how this works in the Dutch context, exploring collaboration between designers and government. Increasingly, creative professionals are working within public organisations or actively seeking partnerships with them. There’s no doubt that designers can play a vital role in tackling social challenges. But a good idea alone doesn’t automatically lead to change. Anyone who truly wants to make an impact in collaboration with government must also understand how government works.

How does policymaking and decision-making function? How do you, as a designer, relate to that world? And how can you ensure that your ideas are actually implemented?

In the second part of this session, you’ll get answers to these and other questions. We’ll launch the new online learning programme “Public Administration for Designers” and invite you to discover where design and government meet and how the two can work together to create meaningful change.

What to expect?

• Introduction to designing in a public context: What does it mean to work as a designer on social issues within a world of rules, structures, and political realities?
• Real-world case studies: Including Het Bouwdepot, where designers collaborate with municipalities to support young people in vulnerable situations. What worked, what didn’t, and why?
• Panel discussion with experts and designers: Hosted by André Schaminée, Suzanne Potjer, and Hanna Blomaard, who combine deep knowledge of public administration with hands-on design experience.

Date: Tuesday 21 October 2025
Time: 10:30 – 12:30 (followed by lunch)
Location: Natlab – Auditorium, Eindhoven

Why you don’t want to miss this

• Be among the first to get a sneak preview and inspiring presentation by Kees Dorst on his new book.
• Join the launch of the online learning programme that helps creative professionals collaborate more effectively with government.
• Discover how to use your creative power for greater social impact.
• Meet fellow designers who, like you, want to contribute to a better society and learn how to make it happen in practice.

Whether you’re just starting out or already have experience in the public sector, this session offers insights, inspiration, and practical tools to help you increase your impact.

On stage

• Kees Dorst – Professor of Transdisciplinary Innovation at the University of Technology Sydney and author of Frame Innovation
• Suzanne Potjer – Public administration expert and Chief Exploration Officer (CXO) for Agenda Stad at the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations
• André Schaminée – Partner and Head of Social Design at TwynstraGudde, and author of several publications on design in and with the public sector
• Hanna Blomaard – Public administration expert and Principal Advisor on Governance Futures at TwynstraGudde, focusing on collaboration between municipalities and their partners
• Lotte Vergouwen – Lead Education and Reflection at PONT, working on bridging the worlds of design and public administration in addressing social challenges

Register here.