Design as a force for good
Industrial Evolution
Secrid believes in the power of design. Look around you. Everything is designed. From the clothes you are wearing, to the phone in your pocket and the building you are in. All these products shape our society and impact our ecosystems.
Since the Industrial Revolution and the relocation of factories to low-wage countries, mass production of low-price and short-lifespan products has become the norm. This development has brought prosperity to some, but also social inequality, depleted raw materials, environmental pollution, declining biodiversity and a climate crisis.
Industry cannot be stopped, but it can be changed. We see a leading role for designers within that transition. The general guideline is simple: every new product must be better than its predecessors. We call this: Industrial Evolution.
About Secrid
Design couple Marianne van Sasse van Ysselt and René van Geer have worked for many industrial clients over the past decades. Since 2009, they have focused entirely on their own pocketwear brand: Secrid.
Driven by the dream of being able to create products entirely according to their own values and insights, and to be able to choose social interest above shareholders, they consciously produce in the Netherlands. Their products are designed to last and are assembled by people in social workshops. Secrid sells its products in over 90 countries. With the Impact Fund, Secrid invests 1% of its turnover in projects and designers that support their mission: to use design as a force for good.
Mission-driven partners
Change is created together. What Design Can Do is a partner who, like Secrid and Dutch Design Foundation, believes in design as a force for good. We have joined forces to support talented designers through coaching, funding and providing a valuable network.
Secrid Talent Podium
With Dutch Design Foundation, we put the spotlight on talented designers every year during Dutch Design Week. Creatives who drive the evolution of their industry with innovative products. And who together paint a hopeful picture of progress. In addition to this podium spot, each designer receives coaching and a cash prize of €7,777: a reference to our 7 design principles for holistic product design. By giving visitors to DDW insight into the conscious choices and dilemmas facing both these design talents and ourselves, we aim to stimulate conversation and above all, movement.
Design Challenge
Secrid is official design partner of What Design Can Do (WDCD), challenging the world’s most complex dilemmas of our time. The WDCD design program challenges innovative designers and creative entrepreneurs who contribute to social and environmental solutions. Eight winners will receive funding, coaching, and networking opportunities. Secrid will provide extra support to three of the eight winning teams, including a €7,777 grant and a spot on the Secrid Talent Podium during Dutch Design Week 2025 for one team.
