FUTURESQUE
Review of the Master Symposium -
FEMALE DESIGNERS* + ENTREPRENEURSHIP: LET'S TALK BUSINESS!
"What I appreciate about being self-employed is the equality, the dialog and the freedom to design things myself." - Hanna Litwin
In the run-up to the symposium, when asked about her role as a self-employed designer, Hanna Litwin from FAMOS sent this statement.
The symposium DESIGNERINNEN* + ENTREPRENEURSHIP: LET'S TALK BUSINESS! was organized by Prof. Marion Digel, Celina Kroder (M.A. Design Futures) and committed design students (M.A. Design Futures) and moderated by Karen Druebert (M.A. Art and Design Studies) with the support of the Folkwang University of the Arts' Equal Opportunities Office.
The four invited speakers - Barbara Busse (Future + You), Linda Schmidt (EPLAN, President VDID), Hanna Litwin (Büro Famos) and Nina Ruthe (Studio Niruk) - proved that Hanna Litwin's ideal need not remain a pious wish. They impressively demonstrated what it means to assert oneself as a FLINTA* in a male-dominated design industry. With strong communication skills, empathy, perseverance and a good dose of courage, they have made their way into leading positions - whether in large tech companies or in self-employment.
With impressive openness, they reported on challenges, structural inequalities, stereotypical expectations, discriminatory comments and the hurdles of balancing work and family, but also on the opportunities that have arisen on their way to management positions. The speakers shared their leadership philosophies, which focus on empowerment and fair, respectful collaboration. They emphasized communication as the key to raising awareness of patriarchal structures and breaking down learned patterns of thought and judgment. Their leadership tasks include breaking down power relations and stereotypes, reducing structural disadvantages and actively shaping equality - both in the team and at management level.
The speakers made a clear appeal: form networks, maintain fact-based communication, ask for help, support each other and continue your education. Together, FLINTA* can make the vision of a gender-equitable working environment a reality - a task that will have a lasting impact on the future of the design industry.
In this way, the four speakers have helped students to face their own professional future with confidence and courage!
The symposium DESIGNERINNEN* + ENTREPRENEURSHIP: LET'S TALK BUSINESS! has strengthened the visibility of FLINTA* in the design industry and brought its special perspectives into focus. The symposium was an inspiring and encouraging experience not only for the FLINTA* students in the audience. They were motivated to make their way into the profession - confident, strong and with the aim of creating positive change.
Essen, November 20, 2024
FUTURESQUE
Prof. Marion Digel
M.A. Karen Druebert
M.A. Celina Kroder