#Themaplatform
Design Leadership
Design is both a strategic and practical tool for finding answers to the challenges of the future. With this belief, we foster dialogue between designers, businesses, educational institutions, and governments.
- Dutch Version -
Design Leadership is one of our thematic platforms. Together with Stefan Pangratz, BNO member and Creative Director at Mijksenaar, we are developing a series of BNO Talks within this platform. These events are designed for anyone interested in connecting design and leadership: from creative directors and design managers to entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other professionals in the field.
Stories of design and leadership
We engage with leaders who demonstrate how design and leadership come together in practice.
Examples include:
- Healthcare innovation at Philips,
- Digital transformation in government services,
- Driving the energy transition through design,
- Designing and building superyachts,
- ...and many more.
These sessions provide a platform where design professionals can strengthen each other in challenging roles without a standard handbook. Growth emerges here through shared experiences and insights.
Together, we explore different dimensions of design leadership: quality and standards, people management, strategic vision, process and operations, partnership and collaboration, and innovation and transformation.
Structured format
Each session follows a consistent format:
- Hosted on location, at a central venue,
- One speaker, one story,
- Followed by a moderated discussion,
- And, of course, food and drinks to continue the conversation.
Training programs
Together with our partners, we offer training programs for leaders, including Leading Creative Teams and Team Leadership. Check our agenda for all upcoming sessions.
Want to learn more?
Do you have questions or want to know more about this platform? Do you know an interesting speaker, or would you like to become part of the platform? Get in touch with our program manager, Dewi.
From CDF to Design Leadership
For many years, the Creative Directors Forum (CDF) was a forum where creative directors from our member agencies met once or twice a year to exchange knowledge and learn from one another. The forum arose from the recognition that transitioning from designer to creative director is often challenging: there is no standard training or handbook, even though the role demands a wide range of skills.
The sessions focused on themes such as creative leadership, nurturing young talent, growth, and inspiration. While these discussions provided valuable insights, the focus on creative directors alone proved too narrow, and attendance varied.
That’s why we expanded and renewed the platform. CDF evolved into Design Leadership: a more inclusive platform focused on leadership in design in its broadest sense. We continue to build on the original need for connection and knowledge sharing, now encompassing a wider community of design professionals.