Lectures and workshops

Pieter Desmet and Steven Fokkinga are available for keynotes, lectures, and workshops on emotional design — helping teams create products and services that people genuinely love.

Pieter Desmet and Steven Fokkinga

What we offer

Drawing on three decades of research at Delft University of Technology and hands-on consultancy through Emotion Studio, we bring both scientific depth and practical application to every session. Our programs combine theory with interactive exercises, giving participants tools they can apply immediately.

Keynotes — 30 to 45 minutes. An engaging introduction to emotion-driven design, ideal for conferences or company-wide events.

Half-day workshop — Theory combined with hands-on exercises. Participants leave with practical techniques for understanding user emotions.

Full-day workshop — Deeper exploration of emotional design methods, including emotion measurement, need laddering, and design application.

Multi-day programs — Comprehensive training over two days to a full week, tailored to your team's specific challenges and products.

Topics

Sessions are tailored to your context, but typically draw from the core themes of Emotions by Design:

  • The science of emotion in design
  • Understanding fundamental human needs
  • Measuring and mapping user emotions
  • Uncovering deep needs through need laddering
  • Designing for wellbeing and positive experience
  • From emotional insight to design strategy

Who it's for

Our sessions are designed for anyone involved in creating products and services: designers, product managers, R&D researchers, marketers, and innovation teams. We work with organizations across industries — from consumer goods to services, from startups to global enterprises.

Previous clients

We've delivered keynotes and masterclasses for teams at KLM, PepsiCo, Henkel, Zalando, and many others — in Europe, the USA, China, Mexico, and Brazil.

Get in touch

We present in English or Dutch and are available worldwide, both in-person and remotely. To discuss a keynote or workshop for your organization, please reach out.