Introduction to Dutch Design

The term ‘Dutch Design’ was first coined in Milan in 1993. The Dutch platform Droog made a big impression at the international furniture fair and journalists spoke of a new wave of Dutch design. A new movement was born. The characteristics of Dutch Design are: minimalist, experimental, innovative, unconventional, and with a sense of humor. Futuristic designs reinterpret the function of design. Well-known Dutch Designers include Marcel Wanders, Piet Hein Eek and Maarten Baas. In Holland, cities like Eindhoven and Tilburg are considered the ultimate breeding grounds. The main source of inspiration: De Stijl art movement.

Foreign Dutch Designers

Image: ©Marcel Wanders
These days, Dutch Design is no longer created by Dutch designers alone. Designer Gijs Bakker trains new designers as conceptual Dutch Designers in Taiwan. There are also designers in Japan and Italy who present themselves as ‘Dutch’. Their results fit in seamlessly with the original Dutch Design.

From Fashion to Architecture

Image: Rotterdam Markthallen ©unknowd

While it started with furniture, Dutch Design can now be found in all kinds of disciplines. Viktor & Rolf from the fashion city of Arnhem are famous Dutch Designers in fashion. Their designs are worn around the world by big stars. Rem Koolhaas is a famous architect. His Dutch Design buildings, such as Kunsthal Rotterdam, have not only appeared in his native city of Rotterdam, but in several Chinese cities as well.

Source: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/destinations/more-destinations/eindhoven/what-is-dutch-design.htm

Left: Wall art at the MOOOI showroom in Amsterdam
Right: Amnesty Chair by Maarten Baas