During the Covid-19 pandemic, Rebecca Price and Mieke van der Bijl-Brouwer were deeply impressed by their students’ determination despite an unprepared education system. It became clear to them that in order to address the growing complexities of our world, it is crucial for designers to cultivate resilience.

Building resilience as a designer is not an easy feat. It involves developing a resilient mindset and the capability to navigate uncertainty. Recognizing the importance of this topic, Rebecca Price and Mieke van der Bijl-Brouwer joined forces to conduct extensive research aimed at providing guidance and support to designers in their journey towards resilience and greater well-being literacy.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

The research delves into the crucial role of teaching resilience in design education and the strategies that young and seasoned designers alike can employ to foster their own habits of resilience building. 

Tracing back design education to the mid-20th century, design programs primarily focused on technical skills and aesthetic principles, with little emphasis on the emotional and psychological aspects of the design process. However, as the field expanded and evolved to confront increasingly complex challenges, the need for an expanded educational focus arose. 

Rebecca and Mieke recognized a significant research gap. When they began this project in 2020, searching for “designer resilience” would yield publications and accolades for bridges and dams, but nothing about the emotional component of the design process. 

SHIFTING DESIGN EDUCATION

They recognized the importance of incorporating resilience as an essential component of the design education curriculum and began investigating the factors that contribute to the development of resilience, such as personal traits, coping mechanisms, and the educational environment. Their research revealed the significance of resilience in navigating the inevitable setbacks, failures, and uncertainties that designers encounter throughout their careers, especially when dedicated to solving the world’s most worthwhile challenges. 

To explore the role of resilience in design, the researchers conducted focus groups and interviews with design students and educators to gather their perspectives. Along with classroom observations and case studies, the findings were consolidated into the ten principles found on this site. 

THE EVOLUTION OF THE RESEARCH

Since beginning their research, they have independently and collaboratively published several papers in Design Management Review, Studies in Higher Education, and more. 

They have also formed communities, including the Graduation Community Program at TU Delft, and organized Resilience Designer Workshops, as well as student networks. The research is now formally included in the curriculum of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, emphasizing reflection, self-evaluation, and the cultivation of a growth mindset to encourage students to view failures as opportunities for learning and growth. 

This website is the culmination of years of research. It highlights the importance of resilience in design practice and provides valuable insights into the strategies that can be employed by designers to foster resilience in their design practice. Through cultivating resilience, designers can become more equipped to navigate the ever-changing landscape of today’s most complex problems and make meaningful contributions to society. 

Over the past two years, their endeavours have included engaging with a diverse community of designers. They have conducted workshops with over 300 talented master’s students, collaborated with 50 dedicated researchers who are shaping the academic landscape, partnered with 50 innovative design practitioners, and made significant contributions to the field through their publications, including numerous articles and conference papers. Community engagement continues to be a primary focus of the project with plans for events and collective learning opportunities in the future.