Michał Stefanowski

Mission Statement

Committed to advancing design as a cultural, social and strategic force, Michał works across practice, education and international collaboration. As former President (2001–2010) and current Board Member for international relations of the Design Association SPFP, he played a key role in strengthening Poland’s design community and connecting it with European networks, alongside serving as a Board Member of BEDA (2010–2016).

He is an active designer and co‑founder of INNO Projekt, with projects spanning product design, urban furniture, wayfinding and visual identity, including Warsaw’s City Information System and the visual identity of the National Bank of Poland. As Professor and Head of the Design Department at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, he leads international relations and the Social Design studio, collaborating with NGOs to explore socially engaged design. He also contributes to the field as a writer, curator, jury member and award‑winning design advocate.

My priority is to strengthen BEDA as a platform that balances professional advocacy with organisational leadership. Drawing on long‑term experience in professional practice, academic teaching and association governance, I aim to actively listen to member organisations and respond to their shared needs.

A key focus is reconnecting professional and academic communities by revitalising cooperation between BEDA and CUMULUS—building mutual understanding, aligning expectations and enabling joint action, particularly where design can address today’s social and existential challenges. I am committed to sharing knowledge from socially engaged design and social‑economy practice, while also exploring how design can contribute to European resilience and safety.

Above all, I seek to support the collective work of the BEDA Board and to foster lasting relationships with members based on trust, transparency and collaboration.