Growth Rebellion: Exploring new paradigms of value creation

As the world changes, so must our understanding of growth. Notions around reframing growth challenge the status quo, encouraging us to rethink how we define progress, value creation, purpose and prosperity. And maybe even the current sustainability paradigm.

For designers and business leaders alike, this raises profound questions about the role of design in a changing world and how we can best play our part.

What does value creation look like in a world where growth needs to happen according to new principles? And how can design support organisations in navigating this complex shift? These are some of the questions we'll explore together in this event.

What to expect:

• Design beyond growth: Explore the concepts and principles of post-growth and discover how designers and strategists can help redefine value creation to support sustainable, equitable business models. We’ll discuss ways organisations can navigate this transition, adapt to evolving definitions of success, and build resilience for the long term in a world where growth is no longer the only measure of progress.
• Sustainability in action: insights from the field: Join Julie Hjort, Director of Sustainable and Circular Transition at the Danish Design Center, for first-hand perspectives on managing change and driving sustainability in real-world settings. This session will include an interactive discussion on the challenges of designing for sufficiency and exploring innovative ways to create value within a business context.

Three questions we'll aim to answer:

• How can design help bridge the divides between profit, purpose and planet?
• What key challenges do designers face when driving sustainability within organisations, and how can these be effectively addressed?
• How do we define value in ways that balance the need for economic growth with our responsibility to create a positive impact on society and the planet?

EVENT SCHEDULE*
*Subject to change

15:45 - 16:00 – Doors Open
Arrival and grab a drink.

16:00 - 16:10 – Designit Introduction
Introduction to today's topic by Jakob Voldum, Insights and Strategy Design Director, Designit Copenhagen.

16:10 - 16:45 – 'Design beyond growth'
'Design beyond growth' with Jonas Schmidt, Senior Business Designer at Designit Copenhagen.

16:45 - 17:10 – Learnings from the field
Learnings from the field with Julie Hjort, Director of Sustainable and Circular Transition at Danish Design Center.

17:10 - 17:30 – Debriefing & Closing
Q&A and discussion with Julie Hjort.

17:30 - Onwards
Drinks and networking.

Additional info:

• The talk and hands-on activities will be held in English.
• The event will take place at our Designit studio in Copenhagen.
• Drinks and light food will be available, alongside opportunities for networking with fellow design and industry professionals.

• Jonas Schmitdt is a Senior Business Designer at Designit. With a background in both business and design, Jonas consults clients in complex, open-ended and transformational projects. Passionate about systems change and political ecology, Jonas is involved in the Post-growth movement and lectures on topics spanning across sustainability and design.
• Julie Hjort heads Sustainable Transformation at the Danish Design Center, where she drives initiatives to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Committed to fostering sustainable change, she focuses on mobilising cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaborations to inspire collective action towards a more sustainable future. In addition to her role at the Danish Design Center, Julia serves as Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board at the Fab City Foundation, supporting the global Fab Cities movement, and as a board member of Maker, where she contributes to advancing the maker movement within Denmark.
  
• Jakob Voldum is the Insights and Strategy Design Director at Designit, where he leads teams in developing design-driven strategies that drive business growth and meaningful user experiences. Known for his expertise in human-centered design and business innovation, Jakob collaborates with clients to solve complex challenges and create impactful, sustainable solutions. His leadership fosters a creative, inclusive environment focused on pushing the boundaries of design to help brands connect more deeply with their audiences.