Opinion | Katja Lucas
DDD theme – Woman – is an initiative of Katja Lucas and Dutch Design Daily and aims to increase the impact and visibility of women in the design field.
Women in the Netherlands are not necessarily disadvantaged, but we are not there yet. The world has often been designed by men for men, and these choices have influenced women’s daily lives, including design. Showing contemporary perspectives shows how change can be achieved.
The theme – Woman – focuses on amplifying the voice of women in the design field. What drives them? What do they see and experience? What do they encounter in their work? What topics do they find important, where is their strength and what pleasure do they derive from their profession?
Stories
Personal stories of designers can support and inspire the current and next generation of women, furthering the personal growth and career development of women designers. Giving women a voice brings attention to an inclusive and innovative world where everyone is welcome to build a future where everyone can contribute and flourish equally.
Alieke Geerts examined the question of why menstrual shame is still prevalent in the Netherlands. The current one-sided perspective not only limits the well-being of menstruating people, but also affects their school and work performance. To give this topic the attention it deserves, she toured Utrecht with the installation: The Red Carpet through Utrecht. In this meters-high bleeding vulva, visitors were invited to take a seat and surround themselves with cards containing unasked questions and stimulating statements.
Stephanie Charis Bakker uses her illustration talent for magical realism, humor and humanity to address an urgent issue: femicide in the Netherlands. By pairing data with powerful illustrations, she brings attention to the often uncomfortable reality of violence against women in our country. Her work transforms numbers into images that confront and touch, and that linger long. She visualizes how widespread this problem is and calls for reflection and action.
Nienke Helder is an independent product designer. She is committed to reshaping the future of sexual and reproductive health. In a world still dominated by male decision makers, she is not only amazed, but driven to bring about change. Too often a sensitive topic like sexual health is approached from a narrow, often male perspective, leading to a lack of nuance and empathy for the solutions being offered.
These inspiring examples from designers such as Alieke Geerts, Stephanie Charis Bakker and Nienke Helder highlight the need for a broader, more empathetic approach. All subsequent stories published under this theme inspire and prompt reflection on a design world for a future in which everyone can develop equally. It’s not just about who designs, but how and why we design. This is more relevant than ever because it highlights the power of collaborative processes, encourages equality and opens up new perspectives.
