We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Joey van Beek ("JVB").
Joey van Beek a person who lives mostly around the four step rule, that is: See – Do – Have – Share. Creating a vision is what gives fulfilment. And having learned early in life that; Success without fulfilment is failure, makes the approach in the way of designing logical for him. Al the designs he makes are one-of and are inspired by the character of the client. This way a design is physically and mentally personal.
Joey van Beek Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Joey van Beek.
Joey van Beek Design - Steel U Bar Table
Designer Interview of Joey van Beek:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
JVB : I have no background regarding art and design and also nobody in the family. I never had the intention to become a designer until I designed the new office at the company of my father and myself. I got a lot of positive feedback and then I just started to make designes that just came up to me. It gives me fulfillment and positive energy.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
JVB : Industrial Office is a company that makes one-off tabels inspired by the clients mindset. I run the company on my own because I want a personal connection with the client from the beginning to the end. And that it is not just about the end result, but also the experience before, during and after.
DI: What is "design" for you?
JVB : Design is for me the realization of a vision regarding a certain form and function.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
JVB : I like to design things that make me think about what it represent and just give me that “wow” feeling if the idea comes up and when I see it after it is finished.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
JVB : I have no favorite design.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
JVB : The first thing I designed for a company was a outdoor-table that lighted up a map of the world in the evening.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
JVB : I prefer to work with metals to most in as much different ways as possible.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
JVB : Under the shower
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
JVB : The way that it shows what is was inspired by.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
JVB : Full of positive energy and that I don’t want to stop.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
JVB : Fulfillment and pride.
DI: What makes a design successful?
JVB : If it gives people a sense of fulfillment.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
JVB : If the design makes me want to keep looking at it.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
JVB : That we challenge people to question to present so that they are aware of the fact that their current thoughts can change the outcome in the future.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
JVB : I see the future of design representing why and how, not just what.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
JVB : I never had an exhibition, this is all new to me.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
JVB : When I design for a client, I get inspiration from the conversations that I have with them. If I design for me own, it is mainly inspired by philosophizing and nature.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
JVB : I consider my style to be bold. And I like this style because it lets me work unfiltered. Also it makes me forget about time and be truly in the moment.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
JVB : I live in the Netherlands and that makes it possible to think very open. I don’t feel limitation only opportunities.
DI: How do you work with companies?
JVB : One on one with a personal approach.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
JVB : Be open about what you want and don’t want.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
JVB : First we slow down to take time to get to know each other. Then based on that conversation, if we have a connection, I make a design for the client so that after approval I can start production.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
JVB : Skeleton watch, tree in the living room, edible plant setup in the kitchen, vase with dried flower of our wedding and self made lamp from a meat grinder with my wife.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
JVB : Waking up between 4 and 5 am, working with me father at our company until 4 pm. Then working out until 5 pm. Diner until 7 pm, designing until 9 pm, going to bed at 10 pm.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
JVB : A goal without a plan is a wish. And succes without fulfillment is failure.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JVB : Being able to design what you like does not always meen that everybody else likes it.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
JVB : That the process from beginning to end makes me happy.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
JVB : Being able to think outside the box.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JVB : Coffee-machine during the conversations with the client, then pencils and paper for making the design. After that I use AutoCad for production drawings and then everything that is required to make the design reality within my machineshop. That can be from forging to cnc-milling and from sheet metal working to oxygen-cutting.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
JVB : By giving the right priority to each task, the planning forms automatically around it.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
JVB : On average 3 months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
JVB : How did I come up with the idea for a design.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
JVB : Working together with my father in our other company.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
JVB : I can’t say because privacy is very important.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
JVB : Designing everything that make people stop, think and inspire.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
JVB : I have a design in mind what resembles my past and future.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
JVB : I develop everything myself.
DI: How can people contact you?
JVB : By giving me a call or sending an email.