What can you expect?
In 2026, the focus is on Design & Integrated Innovation: how can design help ensure that technological innovation is not only functional, but also meaningful, usable, accepted and sustainable within society?
Designers connect technology with societal values, behaviour and the contexts in which innovations are applied. During How Design Works, we bring together designers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers and businesses to share concrete cases and insights into the role of design in innovation and societal embedding.
The programme includes contributions from:
Tiara Spalburg is an Innovation Designer at Alliander and moderates the conversation. In her work, she connects innovation, technology and societal challenges.
Bart Ahsmann is Director of CLICKNL, the knowledge and innovation network for the creative industries. CLICKNL fosters collaboration between businesses, knowledge institutions and government to accelerate innovation and societal transitions.
Lotte de Groen is Market Director at TNO Vector. She operates at the strategic intersection of societal transitions, innovation and market development, focusing on accelerating and scaling transitions that contribute to competitiveness, societal resilience and broad prosperity.
Lonneke Zuidwijk is Director of Real Estate at Heijmans. Working in the built environment, she focuses on innovation and the development of healthy, future-proof living environments.
Robert Bronwasser is an industrial designer and designed, among other things, the Infinity office chair for NO-EM. The modular chair was developed from a circular perspective, bringing together design and collaboration across the entire value chain.
Bob Hendrikx is a designer and founder of Loop Biotech. Driven by the belief that nature can offer solutions to societal challenges, Loop Biotech develops biobased and biodegradable funeral products using materials such as mycelium.
Albert Maas is CEO and co-founder of Avular, which develops autonomous mobile robots for real-world applications. Avular focuses on robotics that can contribute to safety, efficiency and continuity across a range of sectors.
From different perspectives, they share their experiences and insights into the role of design in innovation. How can technological development be connected to societal values and needs? And what does it take for new technologies to truly become embedded in society?
After the talk show, join the Mission Days networking lunch, bringing together more than 400 designers, researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers. In the afternoon, we will explore DDW exhibitions by entrepreneurial designers during a guided design tour. Participants in the tour will receive a DDW wristband, providing access to DDW for the rest of the week.
There are two ways to take part in How Design Works:
- The morning programme (programme + lunch)
- The full-day programme (morning programme, lunch and tour)
You can select your preference when registering.
