Welcome from Minnie Moll, Chief Executive

Our second Design for Planet Festival highlighted the expansive range of possibilities for designing differently, with the planet in mind. Our speakers explored design-led ways of understanding and tackling all that we collectively face. We heard how design includes diverse strategies from psychological sustainability to ruthless inclusion and radical generosity to deep listening.

It’s worth looking back at the talks to immerse yourself. Whether you’re looking to start on your journey to Design for Planet or you’re a seasoned practitioner, their message is clear: there’s always more we can and should do to redesign our future.

This means improving what is already there as well as coming up with new solutions. It means channelling our outrage and using our optimism to demand better outcomes. It means not only rewilding but becoming a little more wild ourselves. The voice of design is most powerful when it helps make new connections, helps others envision new futures and helps build alternatives. As Julian Thompson of Rooted by Design said, “we have to move from protest to prototype.”

We hope this zine, expertly edited by Will Jennings, will bring you even more perspectives on the challenge of a lifetime. But remember, you’re not alone. Look around you and find community groups, meetups, and events to work with others on this. We’re more powerful together in asking for change and in making the change we want to see in the world.

We’re grateful to our 2022 partners Northumbria University, Newcastle Gateshead, Innovate UK, and our media partner The Guardian.

We hope you’ll join us for the next edition of our Festival on 16 – 18 October 2023, online, and in Norwich, in partnership with the University of East Anglia.

Red and white flags flying between trees

Minnie Moll, Chief Executive of the Design Council