On March 8, 2025, What Design Can Do (WDCD) is bringing its globally acclaimed conference to New Delhi for the first time. As an Ecosystem Partner, DesignWhine is excited to be part of this conversation on how design can address pressing issues like climate change, inequality, and ethical technology. WDCD Live Delhi will take place at the India Habitat Centre, bringing together designers, innovators, and policymakers to explore real-world solutions for a more sustainable and just world.
With backing from Unbox Cultural Futures, The Design Village, The Rockefeller Foundation, and the Netherlands Embassy, WDCD Live Delhi will feature visionary talks, hands-on workshops, and interactive exhibitions. Attendees will hear from pioneers like Deepali Khanna (The Rockefeller Foundation), Thomas Rau (Architect), Emma Van Der Leest (Bio Designer), and Kailash Nadh (Rainmatter Foundation), alongside a lineup of game-changing designers and policymakers.
In anticipation of the event, we spoke with Richard van der Laken, co-founder of WDCD, about the evolving role of design in tackling global challenges. Richard is a distinguished Dutch graphic designer, creative director, and entrepreneur renowned for leveraging design as a catalyst for social change. In 1995, he co-founded De Designpolitie, an Amsterdam-based design agency recognized for its impactful and innovative work.
Demonstrating a commitment to addressing societal challenges through design, Richard co-founded What Design Can Do (WDCD) in 2011, an international platform dedicated to exploring design’s potential in tackling pressing global issues. His leadership at WDCD has resulted in numerous global design challenges, publications, and events across cities like Amsterdam, São Paulo, and Mexico City.
Below is our exclusive interview with him.
- What inspired you to co-found What Design Can Do, and how has its mission evolved since its inception?
- In your view, how can designers contribute to addressing global challenges such as climate change and social inequality?
- With the rapid advancement of technology, what role do you see ethical considerations playing in the future of design?
- How do you approach fostering collaboration between designers from diverse cultural backgrounds to tackle universal issues?
- What advice would you give to emerging designers who aspire to use their skills for social and environmental good?
What inspired you to co-found What Design Can Do, and how has its mission evolved since its inception?
Richard: The inspiration to co-found What Design Can Do came from a deep belief that design could do more than just create beautiful objects or solve consumer problems—it could be a powerful tool for positive change. When I first started thinking about this, I realized that while design is often seen as a luxury or an afterthought, it holds the potential to address some of the most pressing issues of our time, like climate change, inequality, and human rights.
We wanted to create a platform that would bring together designers, innovators, and
change-makers to use their skills for good, helping to build solutions that are both impactful and sustainable. What started as a simple idea has evolved into a global movement, with initiatives that include the WDCD Challenges and festivals such as the upcoming WDCD Live Delhi on March 8th at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
Over the years, our mission has grown to encompass a broader range of issues, and we
have worked with an increasing number of people from diverse disciplines. Our focus is no longer just on the design community but on how design can catalyze collective action, influence policy, and ultimately transform society.
Our focus is no longer just on the design community but on how design can catalyze collective action, influence policy, and ultimately transform society.
In your view, how can designers contribute to addressing global challenges such as climate change and social inequality?
Richard: Like Bruce Mau rightly put it: ‘Design got us into this mess, now it needs to take us out of it.’ Designers have contributed to systems driving environmental degradation and social inequality, but we also have the power to change them.
We need to rethink design through frugal innovations and circularity. In the Netherlands, 150 years ago, circularity was the norm, but through modern technological advancements, we’ve lost that understanding. Many designers today are looking to revive old, local, and indigenous knowledge, re-valuing these practices and adapting them with new solutions. India, for example, has a unique opportunity to embrace this approach, but it requires collaboration among companies, governments, and designers to steer it in the right direction.
In addressing climate change, it’s not just about eco-friendly products, but rethinking entire systems for sustainability and resilience. For social inequality, design must be inclusive and empathetic—creating solutions that empower marginalized communities. This transformation is a massive challenge, but with design’s potential to shape the future, we can create a more sustainable, equitable world for all.
With the rapid advancement of technology, what role do you see ethical considerations playing in the future of design?
Richard: As technology rapidly advances, ethical considerations will be crucial in the future of design. While technology can drive innovation, it also comes with significant risks—especially around issues like privacy, inequality, and environmental impact. Designers must ensure that innovation doesn’t harm society or the planet.
Ethical design will be about more than just compliance with regulations. It will involve considering the long-term consequences of technology, ensuring it benefits everyone, and minimizing harm. Designers will need to prioritize transparency, fairness, inclusivity, and sustainability in their work. This is especially important as AI, data use, and automation become more integrated into daily life.
Ethical design will be about more than just compliance with regulations. It will involve considering the long-term consequences of technology.
How do you approach fostering collaboration between designers from diverse cultural backgrounds to tackle universal issues?
Richard: I think the first step is to create inclusive spaces where all voices are valued. I emphasize open-mindedness, and cross-disciplinary teams, encouraging designers to listen, learn, and adapt to new perspectives. By respecting local knowledge and blending traditional and modern approaches, we can create more holistic, sustainable solutions that are relevant across cultures and address universal issues effectively.
Designers are part of a global community, and tackling challenges requires connecting local contexts with global insights. Climate issues, for example, transcend borders, demanding a collective response. We must also learn from past mistakes and use our power as designers to drive meaningful change in the economy.
What advice would you give to emerging designers who aspire to use their skills for social and environmental good?
Richard: My advice to emerging designers is to start by really getting to know the issues you care about. Take the time to understand the social and environmental challenges, and listen to the voices of those most impacted. Design keeping people and the planet at the heart of your work.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and challenge the norms. Collaboration is super important—work with diverse teams and be open to new ideas from different fields.
Most importantly, be patient and stay committed. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but as designers, we have a unique power to make a difference. Even small steps can lead to big change, so keep pushing forward!
As WDCD Live Delhi 2025 draws closer, we encourage the UX and design community to be part of this pivotal event. The conference isn’t just about discussions—it’s about action. From systems design workshops to climate-focused design jams, attendees will get hands-on with the tools and strategies needed to drive change.
Join DesignWhine at WDCD Live Delhi as we explore how design can spark a movement toward sustainability, equity, and impact. Let’s reimagine the future—together.
