Lonneke Gordijn: Design's 'Monologue of Control' Ends, Objects Now Carry Our Emotions

At Milan Design Week 2026, Lonneke Gordijn, co-founder of studio DRIFT, challenged conventional design paradigms during Designboom's ROOM FOR DREAMS event. Gordijn argued that design is no longer a unilateral act of control, but an evolving dialogue that must acknowledge the inherent 'dreams' and potential agency within objects. She proposed a radical shift, urging designers to view non-human entities as 'emotional carriers,' capable of their own narratives and experiences. This perspective moves beyond anthropocentrism, suggesting that smart devices and complex materials possess a form of subjective existence shaped by data and environmental interaction. Gordijn's insights, rooted in DRIFT's work exploring nature and technology, call for humility in design, advocating for a collaborative approach that respects the emergent properties of creations. Ultimately, she envisions a symbiotic future where objects are partners in creation, fostering a more ethical and harmonious relationship between humanity and the intelligent world we build.