Unfolding Strategic Design – Details, episodes & analysis

In the second episode we sit down with Jonas Schmidt, Senior Business Designer at the global design agency Designit. We discuss the urgency for organizations to challenge their core business models in order to meet the planet's needs and how an agency rooted in strategic design can contribute to this transition.

Welcome to the first episode of "Unfolding Strategic Design." In this session, we're joined by Andre Sanchez Montoya, associate designer at Kontrapunkt. Andre discusses his transition from studying at Copenhagen Business School to influencing regulation and branding strategies at one of Denmark's top design firms. We also dive into the expanding role of strategic designers and how they are uniquely positioned to drive transformative changes within large businesses.

In the fourth episode, we discuss strategic design with Brian Frandsen, a strategic designer working at the intersection of design, strategy, research, and systemic change. With a background in Industrial Design from Designskolen Kolding, Brian consults at the Royal Danish Academy and runs his own independent practice Brandsen&, where he explores new ways to approach complex challenges through strategic design.

In this episode, we explore strategic design with Emily Lin, Lead Consultant at the strategic innovation agency Is It a Bird in Copenhagen. Emily shares insights into her journey in strategic design, the evolution of design, and the collective power of regenerative practices. She emphasizes the importance of designer to understand business contexts and the role of cross-disciplinary collaboration in addressing complex challenges.

We are halfway through the season, and it’s time to introduce the hosts behind the microphone. In this episode, we share our background in strategic design and reflect on previous episodes and discuss what we've learned from speaking with our guests.

In our 7th episode, we talk with David Schneider, co-founder of Recraft Design Studio. With a bachelor’s in architecture from Darmstadt University and a master’s in Strategic Design & Entrepreneurship from the Royal Danish Academy, David shares how his development as an architect with hands-on craft and design experience has shaped his professional journey towards becoming a strategic designer. He reflects on how studying strategic design has created a space for material, technical, social, environmental, and economic interests to meet, and how craft and collaboration has fueled Recraft Design Studio's purpose of repurposing construction waste.

Tune in for an empowering conversation with David, where we unfold strategic design, architecture, circular value chains and entrepreneurship.

In this episode, we talk with Amanda Stadler, Client Lead at the Danish strategic design agency, 1508. Amanda is educated as an industrial designer and strategic designer. We explore biomimicry in design, the challenges of adopting new methodologies, and the evolving role of strategic design in driving system change. How can nature drive innovation? Tune in as we discuss this, the future of strategic design, and nature-based methods and solutions.

In the 8th episode we meet Nicolas Fransisco Arroyo, Partner and Head of Strategic Foresight at the strategic design consultancy Manyone. Previously, Nicolas was a founding partner and Director of Foresight at Bespoke Copenhagen and has more than 16 years of experience in the creative industries. We discuss the evolving landscape of strategic design, the importance of understanding change, and the role of facilitation in design processes. Nicolas shares insights from his journey in the field, the tools developed for future insights, and the significance of cross-industry collaboration. The conversation emphasizes the need for sensitivity in consulting the art of asking the right questions to uncover deeper client needs, and the importance of continuous learning and curiosity, to solve complex challenges.

Join us for another inspiring and insightful episode with one of the most prominent voices in strategic design.

In the 9th episode, we sit down with Christian Bason, co-founder of Transition Collective, an organisation that combines strategy, design, and transition research. Previously, Christian was the CEO of the Danish Design Centre and led the Danish Government's innovation team, Mindlab.

Christian highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation in driving systemic change across sectors. He emphasises the need for organisations to focus on long-term sustainability and the role of strategic designers in navigating complex challenges. He also underscores the unique position of Nordic countries in fostering democratic values and the responsibility to share their insights globally. He provides advice for aspiring designers and recommends resources for further exploration in the field.

Tune in now and be inspired to rethink what design can do across sectors.

In the 10th and final episode of Season 1, we speak with Alex Wolf, strategic designer, systems change facilitator, and founder of Realutopia. We trace her journey into regenerative design and explore how storytelling, intuition, and imagination can reshape systems and spark deep change. Alex shares insights on unlearning old paradigms, designing with care, and her latest creative explorations. A rich, reflective close to a season of inspiring voices. Thank you for unfolding with us!