HI! I AM HENNING

I approach design as a way to build meaningful connections between people, materials, and ecosystems, navigating the complexities of a world in ecological change. Rooted in hands-on exploration and interdisciplinary collaboration, my work emphasizes sustainability, biodiversity, and “more-than-human” design. I believe design can foster resilience and renewal, creating thoughtful interventions that respect and reflect the interconnectedness of our shared environment.

Professional Identity

I approach design as a way to create meaningful connections - between people, materials and ecosystems - while navigating the complexities of a world in drastic ecological change. For me, design is not primarily about creating objects or solving isolated problems; it is about understanding and embracing the interwoven systems of which we are a part. My work reflects my commitment to environmental responsibility, careful thought and the creation of lasting impact.

My design process is based on hands-on exploration, iterative prototyping, and material experimentation. I engage in open-ended, reflective processes where ideas emerge through making, testing, and collaboration. Dwelling is an important part of my work, as by directly engaging in the context through observation and documentation, I am able to discover and perceive important details. These experiences serve as valuable insights and inform my design. Whether using digital fabrication methods or the use of unconventional materials (such as discarded oystershells), I choose a tactile approach that brings out the stories within the material. This results in designs that balance function, aesthetics and ecological sensitivity.

My background in product design and engineering equips me to tackle all phases of product-development - from concept to realization -. My research-driven approach raises critical questions about the role of a designer in shaping human and non-human futures. The composition of these speculative discoveries and practical application possibilities allows me, to explore the possibilities of design in the context of feasibility and meaning, and to create meaningful interventions (such as material-driven prototypes, supporting biodiversity).

A central pillar of my work is sustainability and biodiversity conservation. My fascination with the natural world, the sea and its inhabitants triggers the desire to address the complex patterns of environmental decline and ecological concerns. As a designer, I view design as a tool to deal with these complex circumstances and address issues such as ecological regeneration.

Collaboration is a key aspect of my approach, in which I work closely with various stakeholders from different fields to find ways to tackle the complexity of the issues while still addressing different perspectives. I believe that interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to address environmental challenges in order to ensure that both human and non-human needs are considered in the design process.

For me, design is a journey of growth and discovery. I see challenges and new approaches - such as working with unconventional materials and direct engagement on site - as opportunities to deepen my understanding and revise my practice. Unforeseen outcomes often reveal connections and perspectives that enrich the process and create new pathways for discovery.

Through this approach, I aim to contribute to ecological resilience through thoughtful interventions and the introduction of design. Through my work I want to encourage reflection and approaches to coexist with the world and its inhabitants. I believe that design flourishes when it emerges from curiosity, connection and respect for complexity - becoming more than just a tool for making, but a dialog between me, the environment and the future.

Vision

In a world that is in a constant state of complex ecological change, I am convinced that design can build bridges between humanity and the environments we inhabit. I believe that design goes beyond the creation of products and solutions and can help to understand the complex relationships between people, materials as well as ecosystems and their inhabitants. I aspire to work on concepts that not only potentially create or restore habitats, but also promote biodiversity through meaningful interdisciplinary collaboration. By engaging diverse stakeholders, I aim to weave stories of resilience, connection and renewal into my work.

I base my approach to design on the principles of “more-than-human” design. I acknowledge that meaningful design outcomes occur when we consider the needs and perspectives of all stakeholders, both human and non-human. By integrating sustainable, material-driven design processes, I hope to make my contribution to ongoing conservation efforts through design. In this sense, I think that design can become a tool for ecological renewal, shaping places where nature and human life can coexist and flourish.

I recognize that addressing environmental challenges requires interdisciplinary collaboration that incorporates expertise from sectors such as biology, ecology, industry and design to pursue relevant functional and ecological approaches. Designing in these complex, interconnected systems means embracing their unpredictability and crafting responses that can evolve and change over time.

I am committed to the idea that open ended, interpretive and iterative design processes create space for exploration and dialog, allowing for the inclusion of different perspectives. Especially when dealing with complex issues, design should encourage moments of reflection, responsible action and promote a reconsideration of our role in the larger system instead of focusing solely on human comfort.

Within these efforts in particular, I see (local) materials and manufacturing processes as active storytellers rather than passive resources - each texture and form conveys meaning, history and purpose. I think that in conjunction with the work on conservation, there can also be an approach of closing natural material cycles, which in use encourages sustainable material application.

For me, being a designer means entering into a dialogue with the world - noticing, reflecting and responding through making and collaboration. I believe that design flourishes when curiosity and connection meet, where conscientious exploration and engagement with complexity lead to interventions that respect both human and non-human stakeholders.