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Let’s (re-)imagine designing for the value of dignity​​​​

07-Oct-2026 | The Aula

What is the workshop about?

Dignity is a fundamental human value, described in design literature as the principle that ultimately grounds and justifies our actions. Yet there is no shared understanding of what dignity means in practice, making its translation into concrete design decisions difficult and contested. 

 

This lack of conceptual clarity is precisely why the Special Interest Group – Design for Dignity (SIG-D4D) was established. We see dignity as a dynamic, context-dependent, and underexplored value that requires collective reflection and experimentation. That is why, in this first workshop, we invite you to join us in exploring how dignity can be understood and applied within and beyond design contexts. Through reflection, discussion, and exchange, we aim to connect diverse perspectives and begin shaping a shared foundation for future work.

For whom?

Researchers interested in or curious about considering dignity as a value in their design practice.

 

What to expect?

The participants to this workshop will: 

  • Reflect on their own understanding and interpretation of dignity. 

  • Explore how dignity is expressed across languages, contexts, and experiences. 

  • Explore dignity and designing for in these three cases

    • (1) dignity in education

    • (2) dignity in mobility

    • (3) dignity in migration

  • Identify and discuss other application fields where dignity is at stake. 

  • Exchange perspectives across disciplines to surface shared challenges and opportunities. 

  • Contribute to identifying areas of interest for future collaboration within SIG-D4D. 

Who are we?

The SIG-D4D is a collective of researchers aiming to build a community to support exploring how the value of dignity can be defined, recognized, and embedded in design. We understand dignity as a dynamic, context-dependent, and still underexplored value that calls for collective reflection, experimentation, and care.

 

We connect people to co-develop frameworks, methods, and teaching tools for designing with dignity at the center. Over the next three years, we will host meetings, workshops, and events to initiate dialogue, extend collaborations, and share ongoing insights from SIG-D4D. With you, we want to think about, understand, and co-create ways to design for dignity across research, practice, and education.

Who are the SIG-D4D members?

When: Wednesday 7 October 2026 : 09h30 to 12:00 (lunch from 12:00 to 12:30)

Where: TU Delft, Aula, Commissiekamer 3

Organized by: Delft Design for Values Institute

Language: English

Aula

commissiekamer 3

Mekelweg 5

2628 CC

Delft