Three Layer Cake

Frank Willems

Frank Willems is a young Dutch designer with a passion for adventure.  A graphic designer by training, with a degree in advertising and presentation techniques, and a specialization from the Design Academy in Einhoven, Frank has already made a great start:  At first glance, his designs definitely flirt with environmentally friendly materials and production but Frank does not consider himself a “green designer”.  In 2006, he was chosen to exhibit his clever Madam Rubens, a self-forming stool made from recycled mattresses and antique chairs at imm Cologne in the inspired by design competition.  The hand-made Madam Rubens is but one piece in his collection which brings ordinary unrelated objects together in the harmony of a distinguished final piece.   (Don't worry, he only looks menacing in the photo!)

Your design philosophy:  What you want each person who sees or purchases one of your creations to know about you, the story they will tell to their friends who see the object?
I hope people that buy my products create a connection with them and that my work gets to be one of the favourite things in their homes. One of those things you never throw away.

Which of your accomplishments to date has brought you the most satisfaction?
I’m very proud of the result I had with the group on a design project in Brasil, focusing not only on creating nice products, but also helping less fortunate people out in a really constructing way.

Any designers or mentors who have shaped you/your ideas?
For one year, I had Hella Jongerius as a teacher. I learned a lot from her, with a few words she always got me on track, without pushing me in a specific direction.

Describe your approach to design from inspiration for an idea through production.
Every day I have hundreds of ideas, it’s pretty tough to pick only the best idea. What are people waiting for and should I take that into account? The process is completely inside my head, working out the details and the production is only the remaining technical bit then.

What are you working on now?  What would you like to work on?
Right now I’m designing a series of pillows/cushions, furthermore I’m working on a kind of fabric. I’d love to do something with ceramic some day.

Where would you say your work fits in to today’s design spectrum?
It’s pretty hard to put my own work on a specific place in the spectrum. I also don’t think that’s a smart thing to do. People do usually say that my work is typically Dutch.

A funny anecdote you’d like to share…
Well a funny thing was I really do anything to get what I want. A few months ago I bought antique chairs through eBay, for making new Madam Rubens stools, not realizing the seller was at the other side of the country. I spent almost six hours in my car picking them up.