In this episode of the Designer Resilience Podcast, Brooke and Leon engage in a captivating conversation with Mieke van der Bijl-Brouwer, delving into her experiences and insights on navigating the complexities of design within the context of societal challenges. Mieke, an independent researcher, teacher, and speaker, begins by sharing her background as an industrial designer and her transition towards addressing more complex issues.
Mieke openly discusses the steep learning curve she faced when moving into this new domain, highlighting the initial difficulties of navigating unfamiliar territories and the necessity of adapting to a different way of thinking. She emphasizes the shift from the controlled environment of product design to the inherent uncertainty and multifaceted nature of societal design, where numerous stakeholders and diverse perspectives come into play.
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the concept of resilience. Mieke shares a personal story of overcoming adversity, revealing her belief that resilience is an intrinsic human quality. This experience has profoundly influenced her perspective on navigating challenges and underscores the importance of viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning.
The discussion further explores the differences between traditional problem-solving and the approaches required for tackling complex societal issues. Mieke advocates for a shift from a reductionist approach to a more holistic, systems-oriented perspective. She emphasizes the value of experimentation, learning from both successes and failures, and adapting strategies along the way.
Mieke also critically examines the influence of the dominant “mechanistic competitive worldview” on education and how it shapes our understanding of well-being. She advocates for a more relational approach that prioritizes community, connection, and systemic change, moving beyond individualism and reductionism.
The conversation concludes with Mieke offering valuable advice to students and professionals, encouraging them to embrace uncertainty, prioritize learning, and recognize the importance of collaboration in creating meaningful and lasting change.
Discussed in this episode:
- Designing Out Crime Research Center in Sydney
- Professor Kees Dorst and the frame innovation methodology: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23461421-frame-innovation
- New South Wales Mental Health Commission
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their perspective on well-being.
- Terri Trespicio’s TEDx Talk on passion and career paths: https://youtu.be/6MBaFL7sCb8?si=IVYS0XRA_GrVbBC_
- Designing Your Life – Odyssey Planning: Activity and worksheets for exploring future paths: https://designingyour.life/worksheets-and-discussion-questions/
