Dutch Design in Seoul

Studio Dumbar and Nuffic Neso Korea are organizing a 5-day Dutch Design Masterclass in Seoul from the 30th january until the 2nd of February. Colleagues Joost Roozekrans and Erik de Vlaam will fly in to teach. Want to take part? Sign up through the nuffic website. 

going East - again

Two years ago, I did an interview with Kitty de Jong for BNO's magazine Vormberichten, on my career and future plans. At the time, I was just about to start on an adventure in the Middle East. Two years later, with many lessons learned, I am embarking on an adventure in South Korea. So it was time for an update. Download part two of my career dossier (dutch only). 

Lecture at Hong-Ik University

Prof. Don Cha invited me to give a lecture at the prestigious HongIk University in the vibrant student neighborhood HongDae. I spoke on work and play @StudioDumbar, what we think a designer's role can be, the ecology of Dutch Design, and why it has become world famous. In closing, I asked the students what they will do in the future for Korean Design, and how they will bring their own unique view to the world stage. A hundred students: there might be at least one who will change the game completely...

Let's make it official

The 20th of July will be my last day with the fabulous, smart, warm Lava team. Two years ago I joined Lava to help set up a new studio in Kuweit. Unfortunately the local partner went under, and consequently I joined the Amsterdam team. Working internationally remained my ambition, and I did not want to let go of this goal. I've been fortunate to be offered an amazing opportunity in Seoul with previous employer Studio Dumbar. 

The Made in Myth

I just sent out a second article for Kevin Finn's Open Manifesto, for my essay series on the west and the rest. This time on taiwan, where western a-brands and Taiwan's reputation hold an entire generation ransom.

Open manifesto

I'm really happy to have the opportunity to publish a series of essays on my cross-cultural (mis)adventures in Open Manifesto. Over the years I've travelled a bit for projects abroad, and the experiences left me feeling ignorant on a good day, and downright imperialistic on a bad one. Editor Kevin Finn has given me the freedom to reflect. Have a look at 'Sinners and saints' on my experience working and living in Mali for three months. 

the world according to lava

Hans Wolbers and I are guest-editors on behalf of Lava for CREATIE this October. We dedicated the entire issue to design outside the West. There are a lot of people out there who think that design from the rest of the world is "ok, but not up to our standards yet". We couldn't disagree more. So we put talent from Taiwan, China, India, South-Africa, Tunisia, Iran and Brazil in the spotlight. Be inspired! CREATIE is only available to subscribers, but there's a preview of the mag in pdf and an online extension.

Save the date

On the 18th of November I will moderate the BNO Talks 6 on transnational design at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam. An evening filled with inspiring presentations by Broken Dimanche Press, Esther Kokmeijer, Studio Mango, Akiem Helming for Underware, Anja Grooten and Janneke de Rooij on Eurovision 3000, Dinu Dumbravician from Atelier Tipografic 2 and Loesje International.

This is not iDPure

The 2010 Special edition of Swiss design magazine IDPURE is out now, featuring one of my Nowruz drawings. The theme is "this is not..." You can check out the entire mag online, but you can also buy it (the smell of ink, the touch of paper, mmm...).

Stand up inspiration

This year, the European Design Festival is held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. I'm very honored to present the three day conference on the 28th, 29th and 30th of may. The festival has much more to offer besides the conference: a design award, exhibitions and designwalks. The Rotterdam design scene has really welcomed the festival and the program is richer and more exciting than ever before. There are parallel activities to choose from, from dusk till dawn.

Click to read more ...

One uniform for Europe

Uniformity and Europe are not necessarily concepts that easily go together; even though many politicians hope there will be greater uniformity in the future. Currently the identity of Europe is expressed in terms of differences and diversity. But there are many reasons as to why one might support ‘certain’ uniformity.

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ALM Tour de France team jersey

For French insurance company AG2R LA MONDIALE, Studio Dumbar developed the complete branding of their tour de france runners team. The design is part of the complete re-branding. The new brand was revealed at the corporate headquarters Blvd. Haussmann in Paris June 3rd.

Benni Valsson

This may, I will do a two day photoshoot with Benni Valsson in Paris for the potodatabase of AG2R LA MONDIALE. Benni Valsson is represented by the supreme Carole Lambert.

IDPure Special Edition 2008

Some of my work will be featured in an upcoming special edition of the Swiss design magazine IdPure. My poster for the Graphic Design Festival in Breda even made the cover! IDPURE is a magazine dedicated to professionals working in the graphic arts, images and design, as well as to those working in the areas of creation and visual communication. IDPURE offers a comprehensive picture of the world of creation in Switzerland and abroad. 

Strategy for Venice

This February I'm off for a guest lecture on design strategy at the IUAV University of Venice in Italy. Fifty students of the graphic design course take part in a special series of lectures by colleagues Erik de Vlaam and Michel de Boer (of Studio Dumbar).