Sponsored series: What Design Can Do 2011

The inaugural What Design Can Do conference took place in Amsterdam from 26 to 27 May 2011. Design Indaba was there as an official media partner.

More than aesthetics, design is increasingly about real-world functionality and significance. With the transformative ability to address the most pressing economic, social and cultural issues in the world, the inaugural What Design Can Do (WDCD) conference brought together designers, thinkers and doers working in this space.

Founded by Richard van der Laken, co-founder of Dutch studio De Designpolitie, WDCD took place in Amsterdam from 26 to 27 May 2011. “I think we are at a moment of change and what I would like to address in this conference is that as a designer, you can do something. You can make a change in the world,” Van der Laken declared.

Though primarily a conference, What Design Can Do also takes on an activist role and engages the public directly. Various breakaway sessions, brainstorms and workshops look at how basic resources, information and the city can be made more accessible and equitable. 

Enjoy this selection of video interviews produced at WDCD 2011, brought to you by DStv.


DStv