In this episode of Resilient Designers, Rebecca and Brooke welcome Tiiu Meiner, a Rotterdam-based curator, writer, and educator working across design, craft, and art. After discovering the Resilient Designers project through her own poetry workshops, Tiiu reached out and sparked this conversation.
As a design graduate herself, Tiiu brings unique insights into how language and poetry can help designers navigate their professional journey. She discusses how her poetry workshops led her to question what skills designers truly need – insights that naturally align with the Resilient Designers project’s research on vulnerability in professional settings.
Throughout the conversation, Tiiu explores the delicate balance between maintaining individual autonomy and working within institutional structures. She shares personal stories about navigating collaboration, building community, and using language as a tool for connection and vulnerability. Her approach to design education extends beyond traditional curriculum, emphasising the importance of emotional awareness and resilience in professional practice.
The discussion delves into how poetry can serve as a tool for processing emotions and experiences before we fully understand them. Tiiu shares how she personally uses poetry to decompress and tackle professional challenges, while continuously seeking new solutions and pathways in her career. The episode concludes with Rebecca reflecting on fostering resilience while cultivating kindness and empathy, emphasizing the importance of strong teams and staying true to one’s mission.
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