Unpacking circular and regenerative design with Sophie Tendai Christiaens
Welcome to a new episode of Maker Stories.
In this conversation, we dive deep into two of the most important topics in the world of design today: circular design and regenerative design. Sophie shares her insights on what these concepts really mean, how they differ, and the ways they can support, rather than just sustain, the people and environments they serve. What I find especially powerful is how Sophie grounds these ideas in her own lived experience, connecting the technical aspects of design with the cultural, emotional, and ethical dimensions often overlooked in Western contexts.
We explore not only the importance of co-creation and the wisdom of passed-down traditions, but also the challenges of decolonizing design, making space for overlooked perspectives and creating room for new innovation landscapes. Sophie’s story is about building futures, not just products, and about working together in ways that feel authentic, reciprocal, and deeply meaningful.
If you care about making with purpose, working within community, and dreaming up new possibilities for what design can be, you’ll find inspiration in Sophie’s words. Let’s get started.
Want to know more about the designer:
Sophie Tendai is an independent design researcher, but is originally from Zimbabwe. She has a background in circular design and focuses on decolonising the design field in all parts of her work, aiming to expand toward broader perspectives on what design is in order to give a wider range of design practices more space and resources to innovate.
More info:
https://www.instagram.com/sophie_tendai/
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CREDITS:
Host: Yophi Ignacia
Platform: Design Platform Rotterdam
Productie + montage (intro/outro): Kisha Canwood
Artwork: A.J. Mets
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Do you want to hear more maker stories or find out what Design Platform Rotterdam has to offer? Then take a look at the Design Platform Rotterdam website.
CREDITS:
Host: Yophi Ignacia
Platform: Design Platform Rotterdam
Productie + montage (intro/outro): Kisha Canwood
Artwork: A.J. Mets
Maker Stories
Stap achter de schermen van design met Designplatform Rotterdam. Dit gaat niet over gepolijste eindproducten, het gaat om de rommelige, spannende en eerlijke reis van het maken. Van doorbraken tot twijfels, van experimenten tot mislukkingen, hoor hoe ideeën vorm krijgen, botsen en zich ontwikkelen.
Curator zeitgeist Yophi Ignacia spreekt met ontwerpers van nu over identiteit, technologie, duurzaamheid, gemeenschap en meer. Elke aflevering biedt nieuwe perspectieven: collectief werken, co-creatie, digitale innovatie, regeneratief design, storytelling en maatschappelijke impact.
Met stemmen variërend van opkomende makers tot gevestigde namen, biedt Maker Stories een zeldzaam kijkje achter de schermen van design als een levend, voortdurend proces. Laat je inspireren, verrassen en uitdagen en ontdek wat er écht nodig is om iets te maken dat ertoe doet.
Step behind the scenes of design with Designplatform Rotterdam. This isn’t about polished final products, it’s about the messy, thrilling, and honest journey of making. From breakthroughs to doubts, experiments to failures, hear how ideas take shape, clash, and evolve.
Join curator zeitgeist Yophi Ignacia as she talks with today’s designers about identity, technology, sustainability, community, and more. Each episode brings fresh perspectives: collective work, co-creation, digital innovation, regenerative design, storytelling, and social impact.
With voices ranging from emerging makers to established names, Maker Stories offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at design as a living, evolving process. Be inspired, surprised, and challenged and see what it really takes to make something that matters.