Michiel Schwarz Books

Words are our first tools for making sense of the world. This publication presents seven words for a changing time. In this timely exploration of our cities, heritage, civic initiatives, urbanism and the future, Michiel Schwarz, co-creator of the Sustainism manifesto, charts how a new ethos and praxis is emerging in the 'design' of our living environment. This concise lexicon explores the changing cultural landscape through seven entries: Placemaking, Connectedness, Local, Commons, Circularity, Proportionality, Co-Design. In doing so it marks inroads into a sustainist culture that is more connected, locally-rooted, collaborative, respectful of the human scale, and altogether more environmentally and socially sustainable.

Looks at the shift towards sustainism as seen through a series of visual symbols designed for use by businesses, institutions, and individuals.

In the era of ‘sustainism,’ designing is not just for society, but within it. Authors Michiel Schwarz and Diana Krabbendam highlight a surge of local social initiatives where dedicated individuals are creating collaborative, socially just, and sustainable living environments. This movement emphasizes the role of everyone as potential “social designers.” The guide explores the evolving landscape of social design through the lens of sustainism, a new ethos for design that Schwarz co-developed with Joost Elffers in the Sustainism manifesto. It introduces a fresh agenda for design rooted in values like sharing, connectedness, localism, and proportionality, urging us to incorporate these sustainist qualities into our design criteria and briefs. The guide showcases best practices and encourages designers to adopt more socially and ecologically responsible approaches. It ignites a discussion on the essence of being “sustainist designers.” Michiel Schwarz is a cultural thinker and consultant, while Diana Krabbendam is a social design producer and director of The Beach, a network for creative innovation in Amsterdam.