INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE
ABOUT THE
IMPACT OF DESIGN
MAY 10 & 11TH 2012

Initiators

Richard van der Laken graphic designer, co-founder of De Designpolitie
Pepijn Zurburg graphic designer, co-founder of De Designpolitie
Femke van Gemert textile designer and trend forecaster, founder of Femke van Gemert
David Snellenberg copywriter, founder of Dawn
Tirso Frances graphic designer, co-founder of Dietwee Ontwerpers
Laurens van Wieringen product and furniture designer, founder of Studio Laurens van Wieringen
Gerard van der Werf founder of WK Amsterdam

General Director / Creative Director

Richard van der Laken graphic designer, co-founder of De Designpolitie

Business Leader

Lisette Schmetz founder of SCHMETZ Projectleiding & Consultancy in Design

Foundation Board

Job van der Pijl chairman
Liesbeth in ’t Hout
Arnoud van Dommelen treasurer

WDCD AM

Melle Daamen director of Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam
Mark de Kruijk director of Westergasfabriek
Renny Ramakers co-founder and director of Droog
Piet Paris Studio Piet Paris
Sjarel Ex director Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Timo de Rijk Professor of Design Cultures

Editorial Board

Richard van der Laken chairman, graphic designer, co-founder of De Designpolitie
Pepijn Zurburg graphic designer, co-founder of De Designpolitie
Femke van Gemert textile designer and trend forecaster, founder of Femke van Gemert
Laurens van Wieringen product and furniture designer, founder of Studio Laurens van Wieringen
Jacob van Rijs architect, co-founder of MVRDV architects
Lisette Schmetz founder of SCHMETZ Projectleiding & Consultancy in Design
Tirso Francés graphic designer, co-founder of Dietwee Ontwerpers
Tim Vermeulen Premsela foundation
Alma Ploeger Netherlands Architecture Institute

What Design Can Do celebrates the power of design and its problem-solving abilities. This two-day event in Amsterdam exposes design as a catalyst of change and renewal and a way of addressing the societal questions of our time.

Too often design is associated only with aesthetics, trends and luxury, but design can mean so much more. At its best, design can change, improve, renew, inspire, involve, shock, move, disrupt, help or solve. What Design Can Do intends to demonstrate the value of design thinking as a response to the challenges of today’s world.

With a lineup of international speakers from all design disciplines, What Design Can Do will be the platform for designers to manifest the social potential of their profession. Together with the audience, the speakers will discuss alternative strategies for the future. Participants will be stimulated to come up with their own answers and ideas. This makes What Design Can Do an activist conference, the outcome of which will be published in a book compiled on the spot and presented at the end of the conference.

What Design Can Do is an annual international conference for design professionals, company leaders and government officials.

What Design Can Do is a cross-over between design disciplines – from architecture to product design, from graphic design to fashion design – as solutions for today’s challenges generally demand a multi-disciplinary approach.

What Design Can Do is initiated by designers who feel the responsibility to make their profession useful for society and want to reflect on this with fellow designers and other professionals.