2040 - Creating hope

In the course Designtheorie 1, I engaged with design theory through the book 2040: A Handbook for the Regeneration by Damon Gameau and the accompanying documentary. Both made me reflect on how often global challenges feel overwhelming and how easily this can lead to feelings of powerlessness.

What I appreciated most about 2040 is that it does not try to scare the reader. Instead, it offers a clear shift in perspective: away from fear and towards possibility. The future is not presented as something abstract or distant, but as something we are already shaping through everyday decisions, systems, and design.

Book

The book addresses topics such as climate change, consumption, education, renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, and community-driven solutions. What stayed with me most is the idea that many solutions already exist they are simply not visible enough.

Damon Gameau made me question why so many people, including myself, often feel small when facing global problems. The book suggests that this sense of powerlessness is not a personal failure, but rather a result of how complex and distant these issues are communicated. By presenting real projects, real people, and realistic paths forward, 2040 turns hope into something manageable.

For me, this strongly connects to design. Design can help translate complex systems into understandable stories, images, and actions and by doing so, help people feel less overwhelmed and more involved.

Poster

My poster is a visual response to the ideas presented in 2040. It reflects my personal takeaway from both the book and the documentary and raises the question:

How can design create hope?

Rather than focusing on problems, the poster emphasizes possibilities. It explores how visual communication can empower people, encourage dialogue, and make future scenarios feel more accessible.

PDF

Essay

PDF

Conclusion

Working with 2040 reminded me that hope is neither abstract nor naive. It grows through understanding, conversation, and action. As designers, we have the ability to shape narratives, make invisible systems visible, and help people feel less powerless.

For me, this project is less about predicting the future and more about consciously choosing how we want to design it with responsibility, care, and hope.