Johannes Willem Heesbeen

  • Doctoral researcher within the Institute for Creative Futures

Profile

Johannes early career began in marketing research, he then subsequently undertook further specialisation focusing on brand activation and design management. Johannes has also been Assistant Lecturer & Research Associate, AALTO University, from 2011-2013. In his spare time, Johannes’ enjoys recreational sport including tennis, cycling and moderate running.

PhD research

Design has evolved into a multifaceted discipline, merging various strands to position itself as a driver of innovation and societal improvement. In reality, however, it often operates in a more subordinate role, serving broader agendas, more than it may acknowledge (Dilnot, 2016). The methods and structures that have emerged within design are highly flexible and responsive. Given the pervasive presence of design and the diverse contexts in which designers contribute, such adaptability is almost inevitable.

Design’s responsiveness to the unique demands of each context ties it to the reification of the challenges it seeks to address. While design alone cannot transform established beliefs or doctrines, designers can reshape the framing and perception of the principles governing human behaviour, which are influenced by action or inaction (Feenberg, 2020).

Despite design’s inherently reflective nature, the context still significantly influences how reflection is shaped. The extent to which designers can detach from established norms is critical for meaningful reflection and for challenging the constructs embedded within a given setting. 

Johannes’ research titled ‘Reflective Conversations on Design’, investigates design practices from both an operational and methodological standpoint, considering internal dynamics as well as interactions with stakeholders, boundary objects, and project evaluations. Through these exchanges, we aim to identify variations in autonomy—both perceived and actual—that are applied in practice.

Professional associations: