Q&A: This Designer Is Driving the Creative Community to Solve the World's Problems

A conversation with Richard Van Der Laken

Inspiration meets innovation at Brandweek, the ultimate marketing experience. Join industry luminaries, rising talent and strategic experts in Phoenix, Arizona this September 23–26 to assess challenges, develop solutions and create new pathways for growth. Register early to save.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands—When Richard Van Der Laken first had the idea to start the “What Design Can Do” conference seven years ago, he wanted to find a way for designers to come together and change the perception around design. He felt that designers were looked at as people who created pretty, exclusive things for the few who had the means to afford it, but what Van Der Laken really wanted to do was show how design could really make a difference in the world.

He founded his own design agency here in Amsterdam with partner Pepijn Zurburg in 1995, called De

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Spring Special

Save 30% Off an ADWEEK Subscription Today!

View Your Options

Already a member? Sign in