We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Marco Manders ("MM").
Tulpi-design is based in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands, founded in April 2011 and owned by designer Marco Manders. Marco Manders started his business in graphic design almost thirty years ago. He gradually gained interest in product design. He entered his idea for the Tulpi-seat during a Dutch government pitch, an event where professionals were invited to enter their new design ideas for public space design. His entry was well received, but not the winner. By that time Manders had fallen in love with design for public spaces after which he decided to further develop his first design the Tulpi-seat. The design proved to be an award winning design, awarded with the special GIO Award for most Original Design and Good Industrial Design (GIO) 2011, and the Golden A' Design Award Winner for Street Furniture Design Category 2014. The Tulpi-seat and Tulpi-bin are designed to create more fun and color in our outdoor environments. The organic design of the chair is an ode to the tulip. Tulpi's are high quality products: not only the exterior was a major focus point during the product development, he has also put a lot of work into the ergonomic and functional features. Tulpi's are highly innovative: the folding element of the chair guarantees a dry and clean seat and the movable petals of the Tulpi-bin are protecting the inner waste-bin. Tulpi’s are typical Dutch Design, which we can be characterized as: minimalistic, experimental, innovative, quirky and humorous. Marco Manders is currently working on more designs such as Tulpi-Grace, Tulpi-Glow, Tulpi-Floatline
Marco Manders Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Marco Manders.
Designer Interview of Marco Manders:
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?
MM : I started my business in graphic design almost thirty years ago. I gradually gained interest in product design. And entered my idea for the Tulpi-seat during a Dutch government pitch, an event where professionals were invited to enter their new design ideas for public space design. My entry was well received, but not the winner. By that time I had fallen in love with design for public spaces after which I decided to further develop and design the Tulpi-seat.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MM : Tulpi-design is a Dutch product design company with a flair for innovative and playful design for indoor and outdoor environments. Tulpi-design embraces modernity and the cohesion of environment and people. Playfully contributing to, and thus enhancing, the value, appearance and importance of our surroundings. Tulpi products are designed to inject fun and color into our indoor and outdoor environments. The designs confirm Holland’s reputation for producing high quality products and can be characterized as: minimalistic, experimental, innovative, quirky and humorous. Not only was the shape a major focus point during the product development process, but a lot of thought and research went into its ergonomic features and user comfort.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MM : Design is a unique piece of your design which makes the world even more beautiful! It is a work process which has a user perspective and drives development based on your specific customer’s needs. Design will help you to find new solutions.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MM : (Street)furniture
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MM : Tulpi-seat. It is a perfect combination of design, ergonomics and sustainability with a huge fun factor! The Tulpi-seat automatically folds when its occupant gets up, guaranteeing a clean and dry seat for the next user! With full 360 degree rotation, the Tulpi-seat lets you pick your own view!
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MM : A signboard for a liquor store
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MM : Plastic. Rotation molding and injection molding
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MM : After visiting a city or an event parc.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MM : On the shape and functionality of the design
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MM : Pleasure, joy and excitement.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MM : Relieved, love and elation
DI: What makes a design successful?
MM : A design is successful when it’s a pleasure to the mind and eyes, and a comfort for the body.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MM : How and what the design looks like.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MM : To create a happier and more pleasant environment. Also I want to encourage good behavior in public spaces with i.a. Tulpi-Bin. A designers responsibility is to create a better and more Social Cohesion.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MM : More and more design becomes a “partner” of innovation. Consumers not only buy and use what is functional, but also the additional visual stimulus is important. Design is increasingly becoming a “Feel-good product” However more and more people start designing their own 2D and 3D items. For example designing logo’s, websites, stationary(2D) but also toys and jewelry(3D Printing)
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MM : My last exhibition was in A’ Winners “Exhibition at “MOOD” Ex Chiesa di San Francesco, Como, Italy. Before that in October 2014 at “Dag van de Openbare ruimte, Houten, the Netherlands” Our next exhibition will be in May 2016 at the A’ Design Award Exhibition in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Tulpi-design is the organizer of this exhibition.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MM : Fieldtrips to cities and public gardens. Reading all kinds of books about design, art and architecture. Reading blogs and watching new designs. Watching movies. Interested in science fiction.
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?
MM : The Tulpi is a typical Dutch Design which we can characterize as: minimalistic, experimental, innovative, quirky and humorous.
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?
MM : The Netherlands Yes because the Netherlands is well known for its flowers, especially the tulip (Keukenhof) Everyone knows tulips. They are the jewels amongst our flowers, a great joy to many of us. A typical Dutch icon. They are a great inspiration to many artists and designers, including me. In the Netherlands is a high design quality. Being a designer you get, besides an excellent education also high appreciation and prestige. The profession of a designer is one of the better paid professions. A lot of freedom and scope for your creativity goes with it.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MM : I work as a graphic designer for companies to create and control their corporate identity. The companies pay me for my designs and services. As a Industrial Designer I work for companies on a project base.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MM : A designer can still be an important asset to the product to achieve, and adds a value to it. Select a designer on base of his portfolio, education, and his IDR ranking.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MM : It starts with thinking on how a certain “problem” could be solved. Then in an inspiring surrounding my own process of thing starts. To be followed with brainstorm sessions alone or with others who could be an asset to the designing process. Research , looking for solutions. And then the first sketches on paper appear, and work them out on computer. Presentation and prototyping. Followed by adjustments. Finally evaluation and producing the final model.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MM : 1. Tulpi-seat 2. Banz-bord kast 3. Leolux bank 4. Apple Macintosh Macbook Pro 5. Harman Kardon Speakers
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
MM : Average working day Administration, answering email, work at my new designs, customer acquisition, networking, production supervision.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MM : Keep believing in your designs and yourself! Use critisim as a supplement!
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MM : Positive: To create something new and being part of making the world a little bit better and more beautiful. Negative: Pressure, always pressure to have new ideas and designs ready to produce. Especially when customer assignments are in order. (deadlines)
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MM : Work according your own vision!
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MM : To be creative, and problem-solving skills.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MM : Pencil and paper - Indesign - Illustrator - Photoshop - Solid-works - Google - Macintosh computer - design books and magazines.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MM : When I get stuck in the designing process, stop with what I’m doing and work on something completely different. And to get new and fresh inspiration I take long walks through inspiring surroundings, a city, or nature.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MM : Depends on the product. In case of Tulpi-seat it took 4 years designing from beginning to end.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MM : “Can you design this?”
DI: What was your most important job experience?
MM : To design and produce my own Tulpi-seat
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MM : RVO.nl, .AgentschapNL , Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Osaka, Ontwerpgroep Lâle, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Moscow, Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Munich, UrbinD=sign, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ankara, UAB ELMER, Rasti GMBH, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Beijing Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Rio de Janeiro, Netherlands Business Support Office Hamburg, JMT International, Stadtbauamt Aarau Switzerland, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Brussels, Elo & Nitzan Ltd, AFAS Software Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in New Delhi - India, Consulate General of the Kindom of the Netherlands in St. Petersburg, Alwyn Friedersdorff - Tasmania, Rabobank Amersfoort en omstreken, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ottawa, Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Düsseldorf, GEWOFAG Holding GmbH, Keukenhof, Binzomah tech Jeddah-Saudi Arabia, KOTOBUKI CORPORATION Japan, Nanola BV Vancouver, Nakheel Dubai, Ambassade du Royaume des Pays-Bas Rabat, Marokko, Royal Boon Edam International BV
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MM : Industrial design. Because people can make use of it and it is tangible to everyone. And in our case, it is visibly part of public spaces.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MM : Continuing to develop, elaborate and to produce the Tulpi-bin, Tulpi-seat-Chill and Tulpi-seat-Shine. Designing mercheandising goods. Designing various products on commission base. Starting a Dutch Design Collective.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MM : In the first place I develop the designs by myself but at the end I assemble a team to build the final design.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MM : The eye-catching Tulpi®-seat, developed by Dutch designer Marco Manders, is now also available in an upholstered version: the Tulpi®-seat-Chill. The Tulpi®-seat-Chill, made of high quality polyurethane, is a perfect combination of design, ergonomics and comfort! With 360 degree rotation, the Tulpi®-seat-Chill lets you pick your own view! This clever contemporary product is typical of Dutch design, entertaining and quirky. Tulpi®-seat-Shine, our Art project in collaboration with Tibbe Creates, was part of the Exhibition “Shapes”. Shapes that brighten or surprise you or are functional, iconic or changeable. Tulpi®-seat-Shine is the illuminated variant of the original Tulpi®-seat. Tulpi®-bin is designer Marco Manders new addition to the Tulpi product line stands out through its bright colors and innovative design. With its cheerful and eye-catching appearance Tulpi-bin creates an atmosphere that will encourage people to actually have fun throwing away their garbage. Disposing of waste will no longer be seen as “dull”. This way the Tulpi-bin contributes to a clean and beautiful environment.
DI: How can people contact you?
MM : www.tulpi.nl - info@tulpi.nl - sales@tulpi.nl