Each Design is a Manifesto for the Future
The world stands at a tipping point. Climate breakdown, widening inequalities, and the re-emergence of political realities we believed left behind are reshaping our present. In this landscape, the digital products we design are not neutral—they actively contribute to these realities. This gives us not only influence, but responsibility.
Every design decision is more than a functional solution; it is a manifesto in itself. It signals a vision of the future, shaping societal values and cultural norms—whether we intend it or not. Even seemingly minor choices can serve as pivotal inflection points that dictate trends, shape technology, convince decision makers and impact social norms.
In this talk, Thorsten invites you to explore how everyday design decisions accumulate into forces that shape our shared future—and how we, as designers, can harness this power consciously to create more just, sustainable, and meaningful outcomes.
