HANNA KOOISTRA

Born in De Westereen in 1995. Graduated from the ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem. Nominated by Kiki Van Eijk.

A signature project: Her ‘Plakkenpot’ coffee pots, made from coated abachi wood. They are inspired by a model made from silver in the Rijksmuseum, whose shape she redrew using a paint roller, which gives them their bulbous forms.

Inspiration: A traditional Dutch chair called the “knopstoel,” named for the “knop” (“knob”) at the top of its spindles. Kooistra’s reinterpretation can be folded and hung on a wall.

What she says: “A lot of things today are global. We don’t know where they come from. That’s why I specifically take Dutch objects as the starting point of my designs.”

What the jury says: “Hanna really follows her intuition and is confident she’s taking the right path. I’m sure it will lead her to surprising results.” (Kiki Van Eijk)

What’s next?: A new foldable stool made from wood and a textile square. It draws upon traditional Flemish garments also fashioned from quadrilateral pieces of fabric transformed into different shapes with pleats and ruffles.

www.hannakooistra.com
Instagram: @hannakooistradesign

RUBEN HOOGVLIET & GIJS WOUTERS

Born in Goes in 1994 (Gijs Wouter). Born in Baarlo in 1995 (Ruben Hoogvliet). They met as students at the ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem. Nominated by Kiki Van Eijk.

A signature project: Their ‘Gravity’ collection of porcelain bowls and candleholders, whose aim was to create ceramics without using moulds. Initially developed by Hoogvliet, the technique involves dipping foam structures in liquid clay and hanging them to dry before firing them.

Unusual creations: Before teaming up with Hoogvliet, Gijs Wouters also explored the possibilities of porcelain. He created a removable shoe sole out of it and mixed it with fabric to make jackets and bags. “The resulting material,” he claims, “was a bit leather-like.”

What they say: “We’re attracted to materials that change over time. Something that freezes or melts or breaks into pieces.” (Ruben Hoogvliet)

What the jury says: “What they are doing is very innovative. It involves profound experimental research.” (Kiki Van Eijk)

What’s next?: More of the same. They plan to develop new forms and different types of objects with the technique developed for ‘Gravity’. They are also researching the possibility of replacing the synthetic foam they’ve used so far with a more sustainable alternative.

www.rubenhoogvliet.nl
www.gijswouters.com
Instagram: @bygijswouters @tubeguy @atelier_fig_

THÉOPHILE BLANDET

Born in Strasbourg in 1993. Graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven. Nominated by Hella Jongerius.

A signature project: His PS series, which stands for both Post-Scriptum and Polystyrene. Crafted from harvested plastic offcuts entirely by himself, they are halfway between functional objects and sculptures.

Claims to fame: His work has been exhibited at Frieze London, Art Basel and Fiac Paris. He was also honoured with a solo show at the Galerie Fons Welters in Amsterdam in 2020.

Money makes the world go round: He has created a number of works entitled “Fountain of Money,” all based on the mining of cryptocurrencies. 

What he says: “We ought to reconsider the way we think of plastic. Just like ivory, it will one day be banned. We should re-evaluate it as something valuable.”

What the jury says: “The freedom, the joy of making, the cleverness, the beauty and detailing… are all revealed in his objects, semi-functional products, art pieces and installations.” (Hella Jongerius)

www.theophileblandet.om
Instagram: @theophileblandet

VISSER & MEIJWAARD

Born in Groningen in 1985 (Steven Visser). Born in Naarden in 1988 (Vera Meijwaard). Graduated from the ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem. Nominated by Ineke Hans.

A signature project: Grey on Gray—a cabinet referencing industrial plastic crates, made from the same material called HIMACS and incorporating the same ribbing found on their sides.

Clients: Their designs are produced by brands like Pulpo, Moooi Carpets and Linteloo. They have also created window displays for Hermès boutiques in Hong Kong, Qatar and Japan on themes like “Let’s Fly Out For A Picnic.”

Till death do us part: One of their more quirky concepts was a coffin with a detachable, reusable PVC cover.

What they say: “We always say that what we want to approach is a product that stands out and is different, but still has a minimalistic design.” (Vera Meijwaard)

What the jury says: “Visser and Meijwaard are some of the few people I’ve seen over the years who have a real mastery of product design.” (Ineke Hans)

www.vissermeijwaard.com
Instagram: @vissermeijwaard

SEOK-HYEON YOON

Born in Cheongju, South Korea, in 1992. Studied industrial design at Kookmin University in Seoul before graduating from the Design Academy Eindhoven. Nominated by Wieki Somers.

A signature project: Ott/Another Paradigmatic Ceramic, which arose from the realisation that traditional pottery glazes are not recyclable. As an alternative, he proposed a national tree resin called ott, which has been used to lacquer wood in his homeland for the past 2,000 years.

Inspiration: The shapes of the collection’s bowls, cake stands and vases draw on Korean objects, most notably a 14th-century moon jar.
Going Dutch He particularly appreciates the experimental and conceptual approach to design in his adopted country.

What he says: “My interest is really in the sustainability of materials. It’s a shame that clay, which is one of the most natural materials we can get, ends up in landfill.”

What the jury says: “Seok-Hyeon has a delicate signature. His work fits in the Dutch design tradition as it is both conceptual and aesthetic.” (Wieki Somers)

www.yoonseokhyeon.com
Instagram: @yo.o.n

SIMONE POST

Born in Utrecht in 1990. Graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven. Nominated by Ineke Hans.

A signature project: The various wax prints she has developed for the Dutch fabric manufacturer, Vlisco.

Claims to fame: She has worked with companies like Adidas and Kvadrat, and has created what she believes to be the largest mural in The Netherlands on the exterior of Vlisco’s headquarters in Helmond.

Inspiration: Her ‘Wood Weavings’ collection references woven baskets she saw in The Gambia. It consists of containers and bowls in which she artfully combines wood and textiles.

What she says: “My design always starts with a material, which is being thrown away or destroyed and always a material in which I see a lot of potential.”

What the jury says: “I like Simone’s energy, I like her handwriting. She’ll be a person in design we’ll see for a lot of years to come.” (Ineke Hans)

www.simonepost.nl
Instagram: simone_post_

SANNE TERWEIJ

Rising Talents Awards Craft winner

Born in Amsterdam in 1984. She initially studied both jewellery and colour consulting, and now works as an artisan and artist. Nominated by Les Ateliers d’Art de France and the Crafts Council Nederland.

A signature project: Her gradated wall sculptures made of hundreds of small metal rectangles that have been oxidized and corroded to create mesmerizing finishes, textures and hues.

Inspiration: Sanne is a passionate diver. Some of the most impressive colours she’s seen are underwater in a mantic shrimp.

A favourite hue?: Apparently, it changes over time, although green is a recurring one, most probably because of its link of nature. Although she has always declared she doesn’t like purple, she’s recently started to introduce it into her work.

What she says: “There’s something mystical about colour. The influence it can have on your mood and emotions is something that really fascinates me.”

What the jury says: “Our aim is to unearth young talents and allow them to meet the market. It was important for us to offer the unique international visibility that Maison&Objet procures as Sannestarts to expand into global markets,” says the President of the Ateliers d’Artde France, Aude Tahon.

www.sanneterweij.com
Instagram: @sanneterweij