UNE, a strategic design studio for Ideas That Unite
The world needs ideas
that bring people together
UNE is a strategic design studio for Ideas That Unite. We move plans, organisations and society forward, for the benefit of all.
Ideas That Unite
Make
complexity
clear
Move
people
together
Create
value
for all
When something is
Changing
A new course, strategy or transformation needs to come alive.
Starting
A new initiative, product or partnership needs one clear direction.
Growing
More people, teams and AI need to act from the same intent.
Off…
Strategy, brand and culture no longer tell the same story.
In three weeks
We turn your challenge into a compelling, tangible and unifying idea that brings new possibilities to life.
Workshop
Week 01
What needs to move? We clarify your challenge, ambitions and opportunities and distill the essence.
Value Design
Week 02
What unites us? We develop a compelling idea that brings everything and everyone together.
Prototype
Week 03
How do we bring it to life? We make the idea tangible, so people can experience it, feel it and move as one.
Result
What you get
A unifying idea
One compelling creative concept.
A shared direction
A clear foundation for moving forward.
A tangible prototype
Something to experience, explore and test.
A way forward
Concrete next steps to bring the idea to life.
“Rotterdam Ahoy is part of a complex ecosystem. The approach translated this into a clear, inspiring course of action for the whole organisation.”
Kitty van Dongen, CFO · Rotterdam Ahoy
A selection of Ideas That Unite
Idea that unites
Parenthood isn’t about getting everything right, but about finding your own way. Honest support and thoughtful products give parents the confidence and freedom to raise their children on their own terms, creating a new world their kids can be proud of.
Made at a time & place before UNE (at …,staat)
Idea that unites
Every experience should feel like something extraordinary is happening. By bringing innovation, people and performance together, Rotterdam Ahoy creates moments that stay with you, while constantly looking ahead to the next generation of audiences, artists and experiences.
Idea that unites
Culture isn’t a luxury, but a basic need. Especially where freedom of expression is under pressure, supporting artists means protecting imagination, identity and the possibility of change. A shared conviction that makes culture everyone’s concern.
Idea that unites
A safer society isn’t built by security professionals alone. It takes shared knowledge, different perspectives and collective responsibility. By connecting businesses, public services, scientists and communities, security becomes a common ambition rather than an isolated service.
Idea that unites
Complex transitions demand more than familiar answers. By combining applied research with creativity, we can see challenges in a new light, discover unexpected connections and turn knowledge into actionable perspectives that help people and society move forward.
Idea that unites
The cities of tomorrow begin with what we dare to imagine today. By looking beyond conventional development and putting people, nature and future generations at the heart of every possibility, imagination becomes a driving force for more meaningful places to live.
Idea that unites
Let’s make restoring biodiversity ‘mouthwateringly’ fun to do. Products made from native wild plants and trees give farmers a new reason to make room for nature, while turning everyday consumption into a contribution to a more biodiverse landscape.
Made at a time & place before UNE (at …,staat)
Idea that unites
Not every drink needs a label, a ritual or a reason. A caffeine-free alternative made from European peas that fits whatever the moment calls for. Your first cup or your fifth, morning or evening, it’s all OK.
Idea that unites
Everyday life deserves extraordinary attention. Thoughtful, practical and beautiful LifeWear connects with Amsterdam’s creative spirit and the people shaping its culture. A shared appreciation of the everyday becomes the starting point for something new.
Made at a time & place before UNE (at …,staat)
Idea that unites
Ketchup is a great way to preserve food. We need more of this good stuff, and less of what goes to waste. By making ketchup from regeneratively grown tomatoes and using the whole harvest, a familiar everyday product becomes a way to support farmers, restore soil and make better food choices delicious.
Made at a time & place before UNE (at …,staat)
Idea that unites
Every cup of milk tells the story of the land it came from. By uniting cafés, farmers and city dwellers around one shared landscape premium, MOMA and Grondverbond turn an everyday drink into direct investment in nature. What the land gives us flows back to the meadows, hedgerows and riverbanks around the city.
Idea that unites
Good vision shouldn’t depend on where you live or how easily you can access an eye test. Certified online eye testing makes accurate eyecare accessible to more people, while opening new possibilities for the industry and reducing the environmental impact of traditional care.
Idea that unites
The power of the outdoors should belong to everyone. With bouldering as a starting point, movement, adventure and community become ways to improve wellbeing, build meaningful connections and inspire care for nature. The more people take part, the greater the positive impact we create together.
Who you work with
UNE is an independent strategic design studio founded by Jorn Bartlema and Laurens Franssen. Together with our network of specialists, we combine decades of experience in strategy, creativity and design.
Jorn
Bartlema
Co-founder
Having worked at leading design studios before founding his own agency, Jorn brings extensive experience in strategy, storytelling, facilitation and interdisciplinary design, shaping brands and impact-driven ventures.
Laurens
Franssen
Co-founder
Laurens founded and transformed his creative agency into an impact design studio, helping brands and organisations navigate change and transformation through strategic design, imagination and creative thinking.
Our network
For every challenge, we shape the perfect team from our network of creative thinkers, designers, strategists and makers.
De Groene
Afslag
Homebase
A creative hub where changemakers from different disciplines come together to explore new ways of doing business. A place that reflects what we believe in: creating value for business, people and the world around us.
