The time has come in which graphic designers are playing an important role in rendering ever more complicated information transparent and understandable for a wider audience. To stress this urgency, Renate Boere dove headfirst in the world of project management lingo, confidentiality statements, copyright, complicated contracts, the search for stakeholders, and grant applications. This journey resulted in the designer’s novel Beyond Design.

This nonfiction novel provides insights into the contemporary, often hybrid, practice of today’s multi-talented graphic designers. The story tells how Renate Boere decides to take matters into her own hands by working on socially relevant design projects. An exciting and informative book that gives insights into the designer’s do’s and don’ts while working on projects from start to finish.


Renate Boere is a research-based graphic designer who has been working in the Dutch cultural and social sectors since 1995. Boere has been teaching design for over 20 years at several national and international art academies. Since 2008, Studio Renate Boere has been actively initiating research projects that focus on solving complex social issues through design. Over the past years, Studio Renate Boere has won several Dutch, European, and International Design Awards.

The time has come in which graphic designers are playing an important role in rendering ever more complicated information transparent and understandable for a wider audience. To stress this urgency, Renate Boere dove headfirst in the world of project management lingo, confidentiality statements, copyright, complicated contracts, the search for stakeholders, and grant applications. This journey resulted in the designer’s novel Beyond Design.

This nonfiction novel provides insights into the contemporary, often hybrid, practice of today’s multi-talented graphic designers. The story tells how Renate Boere decides to take matters into her own hands by working on socially relevant design projects. An exciting and informative book that gives insights into the designer’s do’s and don’ts while working on projects from start to finish.


Renate Boere is a research-based graphic designer who has been working in the Dutch cultural and social sectors since 1995. Boere has been teaching design for over 20 years at several national and international art academies. Since 2008, Studio Renate Boere has been actively initiating research projects that focus on solving complex social issues through design. Over the past years, Studio Renate Boere has won several Dutch, European, and International Design Awards.