What happens when design meets the real mess of the world? In this episode, Brooke and Leon talk to Mieke van der Bijl-Brouwer about designing with complexity - where there are no neat problems, no perfect solutions, and no clear finish lines. From system shifts to directionality, Mieke challenges the dominant worldview of design as problem solving and offers a new lens: one that values relationships, learning and navigating the unknown together. Mieke shares her journey from traditional industrial design to tackling complex societal challenges, emphasising the importance of systems thinking, transdisciplinary collaboration and a shift from a mechanistic worldview to a complex relational one.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Designing Out Crime Research Center in Sydney
• Professor Kees Dorst and the frame innovation methodology: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23461421-frame-innovation
• New South Wales Mental Health Commission
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their perspective on well-being.
• Terri Trespicio's TEDx Talk on passion and career paths: https://youtu.be/6MBaFL7sCb8?si=IVYS0XRA_GrVbBC_
• Designing Your Life - Odyssey Planning: Activity and worksheets for exploring future paths: https://designingyour.life/worksheets-and-discussion-question