5x innovative projects using gamification to convey a larger message

Attention, Neighbourhood Watch! ‘Escape The Dutch’ is a theatre piece that investigates Dutch WhatsApp Neighbourhood Watch groups and attempts to expose their discriminatory practices. These groups, which are rapidly gaining popularity, consist of local residents keeping an eye on their neighbourhood for suspicious people. They are often driven by racist beliefs or fear of the unknown, leading to social and ethnic profiling and false accusations under the guise of crime prevention. The public space thus becomes a place where every passer-by is a potential suspect.

Directed by Daniel Holler, two actors perform a WhatsApp group conversation. Each scene explores how fear of strangers can lead to surveillance behaviour while maintaining the often-absurd conversations between group members. As director, set designer, and playwright, Holler reveals how racial prejudices manifest in neighbourhood watch groups, showing how paranoia and fear escalate within group conversations, mirroring the political situation in Dutch neighbourhoods.

How can you develop your skills when dance education doesn’t take your body and unique needs into account? An inclusive and flexible teaching methodology is crucial to recognising and supporting the diverse needs of dancers. A collaboration between graphic design studio ST-DUO and the inclusive dance company Misiconi focuses on translating inclusive teaching methods into a set of visual tools. These tools help dancers develop their artistic autonomy and gain personal insights into their growth.

Experimenting and collaborating with the dancers – a mixed group with and without disabilities – was central to the process. The tools are aimed at young adult dancers with intellectual disabilities and/or learning difficulties and emphasise the power of visualisation for learning and reflection. Through Growth Maps, Prompt Questions, and Goals Cards, they aim to visualise progress. The research and prototypes of the toolkit are captured in the publication ‘A New Way to Grow’.

What do financial equality and paternity leave have in common? And how does a ‘BouwBox’ fit into this? Discover the answers in What if Lab: Equal Opportunities. In this exploratory lab, ABN AMRO partnered with social design studio (ink.) to find a solution for financial equality between men and women. Research revealed that despite the availability of full paternity leave, it was rarely taken up due to stigma. Yet, research shows that taking paternity leave can be a great equaliser.

In the lab, (ink.) developed the concept of ‘BouwBox’: a symbolic building set with a magazine that encourages reflection on equality in caregiving within young families. By using reframing and experience-based stories, taking paternity leave becomes the norm rather than the exception. ABN AMRO produced the box as a pilot project to be given as a leave gift to expectant parents. This resulted in a significant increase in the uptake of parental leave, from 49% to 85%. Additionally, participants experienced a positive shift in company culture, more freedom, success, and peace of mind.

Did you know that there are over two million people with disabilities in the Netherlands? Everyone should be able to participate in society in a way that suits them. For people with disabilities, this is not always self-evident. They often face barriers in daily life, such as looking for a job, attending a concert, or using public transport.

Research shows that 9 out of 10 people want to remove these barriers for people with disabilities but don’t know how. By starting a conversation, you can discover what you can do. This begins with asking a simple question. That’s why ‘Vraagje?!’ (Question?!) was developed. On vraagje.doeonbeperktmee.nl, you can learn through play how to have such a conversation. This way, everyone can contribute to a more inclusive society.

Join in and save the world with technology! We’ve built a supercomputer that enables you to tackle today’s challenges. But beware: only truly original ideas are rewarded. Are you ready to become a hero with the superpowers needed to save the world?

In ‘Playing the Algorithm’, you build your own superpower to tackle the major challenges of today. But how do you escape the algorithm? Does your superpower have unique and original qualities, not pre-programmed by someone else? What if creativity and originality were rewarded? Sign up, try it out, and receive your superpower from a higher power.

Visit ‘Designing Society’ During DDW24

‘Designing Society’ brings together the projects and programmes of World Design Embassies, What if Lab, PONT, and Maakruimte MooiNL under one roof. The exhibition invites you to explore new perspectives on possible futures. How can we collectively harness the power of design and connect it to the complex transitions our world faces today?

Visit ‘Designing Society’ during DDW24 from 19 to 27 October. The exhibition at Ketelhuisplein is free and open to all.