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18 - 26 October 2025
2025 Less Hope, More Action!

Less Hope, More Action!

Design United advocates not to be paralyzed in the face of ecological crises, threats to democracy, and political unrest. Instead, we aim to act with a sense of optimism—one that, as Dutch writer Tommy Wieringa suggests, doesn't have to rely on hope. That's why the theme of this year’s Design United editions at DDW is: “Less Hope, More Action!”

Monday 20 October
Living Environments

Designing for a better quality of life through innovations in urban planning, mobility, and sustainable materials.

Please scroll down for the programme of our   Dialogues: Living Environments 

Editorial, Projects and Columns

will follow soon


Dialogues: Living Environment 

Natlab, Monday  20 October 9:30-12:30

Organised by:  Chair: Jody Sturge (UT), Co-Chair: Marjolein Derks (WUR), Associate Chair 1: Juliette van Haren (TU/e), Associate Chair 2: Eliza Noordhoek (TUD)

Programme will follow later

Programme

  • 9.30 Walk in
  • 9.45 Part 1 of the design research programme
  • 11:00 Break
  • 11.15 Part 2 of the design research programme
  • 12.30 Wrap up and lunch


Tuesday 21 October
Thriving Planet

Strengthening the planet’s natural resilience through sustainable design—or at the very least, ensuring that design does not stand in its way.

Please scroll down for our Dialogues Programme Thriving Planet in Natlab

Editorial, Projects and Columns

Will follow soon


Dialogues: Thriving Planet

Natlab, Tuesday  21 October 9:30-12:30

Organised by:  Chair: Federico Andreotti (WUR),  Co-Chair: Riel Bessai (TUD), Associate Chair 1: Gizem Oktay (TU/e), Associate Chair 2: Salma Rian (WUR)

Programme will follow later

Programme

  • 9.30 Walk in
  • 9.45 Part 1 of the design research programme
  • 11:00 Break
  • 11.15 Part 2 of the design research programme
  • 12.30 Wrap up and lunch
Wednesday 22 October
Digital Future

Exploring and shaping digital realities and futures, from virtual worlds and AI to global platforms and personal digital experiences.

Scroll down for our Dialogues Programme

Editorial, Projects and Columns

Will follow soon.


Dialogues: Digital Future

Natlab, Wednesday  22 October 9:30-12:30

Organised by:  Chair: Milene Gonçalves (TUD), Co-Chair: Armagan Karahanoglu (UT), Associate Chair 1: Jesse Joshua Benjamin (TU/e), Associate Chair 2: Vera van den Burg (TUD), Associate Chair 3: Wilbert Tabone (TUD)

Programme will follow later

Programme

  • 9.30 Walk in
  • 9.45 Part 1 of the design research programme
  • 11:00 Break
  • 11.15 Part 2 of the design research programme
  • 12.30 Wrap up and lunch
Thursday 23 October 2025
Health & Wellbeing

Design can support people and societies in creating and sustaining wellbeing. How can design harmonize individuals, communities and larger systems for healthier and more fulfilling lives? 

Please scroll down for our Design Research Programme Health & Wellbeing in Natlab

Editorial, Projects and Columns

Will follow soon.


Dialogues: Health & Wellbeing 

Natlab, Thursday 23 October, 9:30-12:30

Organised by:  Chair: Maarten Houben (TU/e),  Co-Chair: Eda Karaosmanoglu (TUD), Associate Chair 1: Siyuan Huang (UT), Associate Chair 2: Zhuochao Peng (TUD), Associate Chair 3: Govert Flint (TUD)

Content will follow later

Programme

  • 9.30 Walk in
  • 9.45 Part 1 of the design research programme
  • 11:00 Break
  • 11.15 Part 2 of the design research programme
  • 12.30 Wrap up and lunch
Friday 24 October 2025
Equal Society & Politics of Design

The (re)design of systems and interactions is a contested process. How do we deal with power dynamics in design?

Please scroll down for our Design Research Programme in Natlab

Editorial, Projects and Columns

will follow soon


Dialogues: Equal Society & Politics of Design

Natlab, Friday  24 October 9:30-12:30

Organised by:  Chair: Francesca Toso (UT), Co-Chair: Sebastian Cmentowski (TU/e), Associate Chair 1: Eric Gu (TUD), Associate Chair 2: Roberta Antognini (UT), Associate Chair 3: Erik van der Spek (TU/e)

Programme details will follow later

Programme

  • 9.30 Walk in
  • 9.45 Part 1 of the design research programme
  • 11:00 Break
  • 11.15 Part 2 of the design research programme
  • 12.30 Wrap up and lunch

Colofon

Theme Team Living Environment

  • Daniël Saakes (UT, MT DU)
  • Chair: Jody Sturge (UT)
  • Co-Chair: Marjolein Derks (WUR)
  • Associate Chair 1: Juliette van Haren (TU/e)
  • Associate Chair 2: Eliza Noordhoek (TUD)

Theme Team Thriving Planet

  • Lenora Ditzler (WUR, MT DU)
  • Chair: Federico Andreotti (WUR)
  • Co-Chair: Riel Bessai (TUD)
  • Associate Chair 1: Gizem Oktay (TU/e)
  • Associate Chair 2: Salma Rian (WUR)

Theme Team Digital Future

  • Stephan Wensveen (TU/e, MT DU)
  • Chair: Milene Gonçalves (TUD)
  • Co-Chair: Armagan Karahanoglu (UT)
  • Associate Chair 1: Jesse Joshua Benjamin (TU/e)
  • Associate Chair 2: Vera van den Burg (TUD)
  • Associate Chair 3: Wilbert Tabone (TUD)

Theme Team Heatlh & Wellbeing

  • Marco Rozendaal (TUD, MT DU)
  • Chair: Maarten Houben (TU/e)
  • Co-Chair: Eda Karaosmanoglu (TUD)
  • Associate Chair 1: Siyuan Huang (UT)
  • Associate Chair 2: Zhuochao Peng (TUD)
  • Associate Chair 3: Govert Flint (TUD)

Theme Team Equal Society

  • Gert Jan Veldwisch (WUR, MT DU)
  • Chair: Francesca Toso (UT)
  • Co-Chair: Sebastian Cmentowski (TU/e)
  • Associate Chair 1: Eric Gu (TUD)
  • Associate Chair 2: Roberta Antognini (UT)
  • Associate Chair 3: Erik van der Spek (TU/e)

Project Owners

  • Carmen Enriquez Comendador, David Soche, Anita Hardon, Armağan Karahanoğlu, Sarah Jansen, Sabarna Senathirajan, Thomas Kaufmanas, Hanna Loschacoff, Vera van der Burg, Noortje van Velzen, Iepe Bouw, Isa Jansen, Vidhi Chopra, Sandhya Ravichandran, Isabel Kuipers, Eveline Massop, Xiang Yu, Isabella Maljers, Marjolein Derks, Anna-Louisa Peeters, Pin-Yuan Wang Teodora Citia Mirjam de Korte LICHI HSU Blom van der Toom Roberta Antognini Peng-Kai Hung Marjolein Derks Faye de Groot Youp Emmelie Huisman Jelle Vuursteen Sander Aalbers Donna Verhaart, Sam Theelen, Petr Dobias Tongbin, Qi Pablo Yániz González Nazli Farid Mohajer Kaitlyn Smith Diya Samit Kiki Meiland, Roy Op het Veld, Jort Wiersma, Rick Schifferstein, Jillian de Bie, Roy Bendor, Pitshaya Chonato

Coordinator

  • Marijke Idema

Website and text editing

  • Maëlle Cassiau
  • Roger Staats (editing)
  • Marijke Idema

Expo design and Coordination

  • Sander Lucas
  • Marijke Lucas

Movies

  • Marica de Michele (filmmaking, art direction and editing)
  • Gijs van den Brink (sound design)
  • Laura Papke (production assistant)
  • teveo.studio (motion graphics)
  • Gianluca Laneve (color grading)