Within the Public Design Practice (PONT), efforts are being made to create a stronger and more collectively supported narrative about the value of design in the public domain. In preparation for the launch of the programme, Thomas van Arkel and Nynke Tromp wrote an article about what a design-led approach entails and why this approach is effective in generating societal impact. The article “A design-led approach to societal challenges, what are we talking about?” offers an exploration of how design competencies can be applied to address complex societal issues.
As a follow-up, PONT invited ten (design) researchers to write four in-depth articles on the design competencies they believe are central to public design practice:
- Reframing
- Orchestrating
- Shaping
- Integrating
These articles form the substansive basis of the dialogue session.
What to expect?
On 12 September, PONT is organising a dialogue session to explore and deepen the four design competencies together. The morning will provide space for reflection, exchange, exploration and the creation of shared meaning.
During the dialogue session, PONT will work together with other designers and researchers to explore:
- How design competencies are applied within public contexts
- How designers can better articulate and visualise their value
- What is needed to present a stronger, collective narrative to government and other commissioning parties
The session will consist of two rounds of discussion in small groups of five participants per table. Each table will be guided by one of the researchers or PONT facilitators.
The following materials will be used during the session:
- Excerpts from the four articles, which participants will receive in advance
- Practical examples from participants’ own work
- Visualisations that participants have prepared to clarify their interpretation of the design competencies
Preperation (to be received no later than 1 September)
At the beginning of September, participants will receive the four articles (approximately 20 pages in total).
PONT requests each participant to prepare the following:
- Read all four articles.
- Highlight at least one passage per article that resonates with, inspires, or provokes thought, and briefly explain why.
- Bring one practical example per article that illustrates how that design competency is reflected in your own work – this may be textual or visual.
- If possible, create a simple visualisation of what that competency means to you – this does not need to be a work of art, but should help to express your perspective.
This preparation is intended to enrich the dialogue and make it more concrete and personal. There is no need to give a presentation – the focus is on sharing, listening, and co-creating meaning.
Why participate?
- Gain early access to new, substantive articles on public design competencies
- Deepen your own thinking about your role and value as a designer in the public domain
- Practise using language, examples, and visuals to explain your expertise to non-designers
- Contribute to the development of a stronger, collective narrative for public design practice
- Meet other designers and researchers who, like you, are working to strengthen the positioning of the field
Who is this session for?
This session is intended for designers who are active in public design practice – those working with or for governments, civil society organisations, or on broad societal challenges. The session is aimed at professionals with some experience in this field.
PONT explicitly requests that you register only if you are willing to complete the preparation and actively contribute to the session. This is essential to ensure the quality of the dialogue.
About the articles and the authors:
The articles have been written by ten researchers with diverse backgrounds in design, research, and education. The authors are:
- Willem Jan Rengers
- Jotte de Koning
- Catelijne van Middelkoop
- Değer Özkaramanlı
- Froukje Sleeswijk Visser
- Jaap Daalhuizen
- Wina Smeenk
- Kees Dorst
- Laurens Kolks
- Mieke van der Bijl
Practical information:
Date: 12 September
Time: 10:00 – 12:30
Location: Inholland Academy, Pina Bauschplein 4, Amsterdam
Does this PONT dialogue session sound interesting to you? If so, click here to register!
Locations
Inholland Academy
Pina Bauschplein 4, Amsterdam