what we do

In our practice of collaborative design, designers working in various disciplines join forces with experts in other fields to work on societal issues.
We facilitate a design process in which we are able to research, communicate and develop new ideas surrounding issues like human rights, climate change and misinformation, among others.

what we do

In our practice of collaborative design, designers working in various disciplines join forces with experts in other fields to work on societal issues.

We facilitate a design process in which we are able to research, communicate and develop new ideas surrounding issues like human rights, global transitions or wicked problems.

how we do it

As a starting point, We Are takes the position that designers can work in and contribute to a great variety of fields and topics. As a multidisciplinary designer-led organisation we facilitate, structure and design collaborations that centre on societal issues. Together with our network of designers and by working closely with our clients and partners, we can generate a wealth of ideas and insights and design high-quality interventions, programs and projects.

incubators

crossovers and research

We are at our best working with experts in various fields to get to the bottom of a pressing topic, to understand the ins and outs and to map out future chances and possibilities. We invite all stakeholders and communities involved to make sure that all views and concerns find their way into the research. In the case of design research, the process will be meticulously documented and the outcomes will be shared in an accessible report,publication or exhibition. The insights gained during collaborative design projects can result in new and improved strategies, services or products.

design research

storytelling and engagement

At the core of our work is the unusual, unfamiliar and the unexpected, this is how we work on innovation on societal transitions and within the design field itself. This is why we develop and practise design research. We set up experimental collaborations, we research them, and then publish the insights and outcomes in the form of publications or working tools. As designers we are sensitive to different types and forms of knowledge that reach to human experience and collaboration forms.

education

sharing and learning

Knowledge and insights are nothing if not shared: through collaborative storytelling in exhibitions and campaigns we make complex processes and developments accessible and comprehensible to the broader public. We use materiality (focusing on all sensory qualities) and emphatic storytelling techniques to design immersive experiences in which to communicate to a general public multidimensional, abstract or elaborate issues and topics.

workshops

For our customised workshops, we define a question or demarcate an issue together with our clients or partners. Having introduced all members to the principles of design thinking, we then brainstorm and prototype on the question. In our workshops, we emphasise our collaborative design approach and utilise our emphatic storytelling ability. We offer tools and new ways of thinking for everybody interested in creative methodologies and processes.
In addition to the workshop, we can offer a sense-making report, ensuring that we capture the insights and discover new and relevant perspectives and avenues of action.

trainings

We organise events, lectures and training sessions in which the sharing of knowledge and experience takes centre stage. Design thinking, design research and the role design can play in tackling wicked problems are just a few areas in which We Are is dedicated to share the insights that have been gathered within, or outside of, the foundation.

programs

We are committed to the development and growth of socially-engaged design practices. Bridging the gap between the graduation project and a sustainable practice is something all of us learned on the go. As our society needs more designers to be involved, we create training and coaching programs, where young designers can be mentored by experienced designers. Additionally, we contribute with our professional interdisciplinary knowledge to existing curricula in architecture and design schools in the Netherlands.

For more information about our workshops, trainings and programs, contact Kornelia

Space

Foundation We Are’s headquarters are located at Torenallee 22-04, at Strijp-S in Eindhoven. The space is open to the public on weekdays from 10:00 to 17:00.

There are several possibilities for renting spaces at our headquarters for events, exhibitions, meetings or for a long-term studio space.

studio space

There the foundation hosts a community of socially-engaged designers and experts, in the Village - a cluster of offices and working spots of various sizes. Currently we have 9 spots, ranging from flexible desks, to large office rooms. In this way we aim to offer flexibility and variety that can fit the needs of a variety of socially-engaged designers and practitioners. The monthly rent ranges from 50 to 450 euro. The minimum rental period for a studio space is 12 months. With the studio space you will be able to access the shared spaces and the facilities of We Are such as a printing workshop, film & photography studio and a variety of tools.

We aim for a mix of experienced and starting designers so that we can grow not only as a community but as well professionally. For more information or to find out our current availability, send an email to bernhard@foundationweare.org

Event and exhibition space

The Stage is ideal for presentations, screenings and workshops, for groups of up to 50 people. All presentation equipment and technical support will be provided. The Stage is available for rent per day-part (4 hours) in the morning, afternoon and evening.

The Spot is an exhibition space of about 70 m2, equipped with spot lights, exhibition furniture and an entrance desk. Upon request and for an additional charge, the exhibition area can be extended to 120 m2. All exhibitions would be open during the opening hours of Foundation We Are, extending those hours is possible on request. The minimum period is a week, but the space is available for rent for longer periods, charged per week or per month, depending on the occasion and what is needed.

For more information or to find out our current availability, send an email to Bernhard.