As applied design researchers we are sensemakers: we are digesting society’s complexity and set out to improve it in meaningful ways. With our practices, we aspire to be catalysts for societal transformation. We apply our imaginative abilities to come up with alternatives for the status quo and we materialise …

Applied design research thrives in and even flourishes in complexity. It is more than just a methodology, a lens or a problem-solving approach—it is a transformative practice that shapes, nourishes and intertwines technology, societal structures, and professional knowledge ecosystems. Rather than avoiding …

Applied design researchers are at the forefront of initiating and executing projects to catalyze societal change. But how exactly do they accomplish this? What are the various ways in which design research can contribute to societal transitions? How do these researchers bridge different system levels …

In this co-design project, we wanted to better understand how leverage point theory could be applied to the social design field. We also wanted to develop an alternative perspective on and language for the different systemic levels design needs to tackle to contribute to societal impact and long-term …

Two years ago, in an economically underprivileged neighbourhood, designers and researchers collaborated with residents to investigate how local community challenges could be supported by initially hypothetical autonomous urban robots that later became known as “hoodbots” (Jaskiewicz & Smit, 2024). The …

The white paper provides insights into the transformation of the TCLF sector, with a special focus on the Netherlands and Europe, undertaking the Twin (green and digital) transition. Besides reporting on the various challenges and opportunities, the paper also reflects on the importance of stakeholder …

This paper explores the application of electro-sensory technologies for three-dimensional foot scanning within a shoe. This research investigates resistive and capacitive sensor technologies, assessing their suitability for identifying foot pressure points, ensuring ergonomic fit, and indicating shoe …

As designers, we often use annotations to add information and reflection to our work. We would like to suggest that these annotations let personal design languages emerge. We experiment with the materiality of the pictorial format itself to show how such languages emerge from a particular body of work, …

In a rapidly evolving world, the need for innovative approaches to societal challenges is more critical than ever. As partners of the Network Applied Design Research (NADR), we believe that applied design research can be a promising approach for addressing complex issues in many domains, such as health-care, …

Bumping Elbows explores a workflow integrating 3D body scanning technology with robotic knitting to create personalized garments. Traditional 3D knitting development relies on 2D drafts and panels, rooted in industrial flatbed knitting practices. Our approach leverages accurate topology measurements …