Interview with Marco Manders
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.
Design Legend Interview
24 October 2016
Education
1993 HKU University of the Arts, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Post Academic Study Art Direction
Work experience:
2007 - Current Industrial Designer / Owner and Founder of Tulpi BV in Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
1993 - 2007 Graphic Designer / Art Director / Owner and Founder of OPUS II and Omnus
1990 - 1993 Desktop Publisher / Graphic Designer at Studio Grafitech (Apple - Adobe Europe)
1985 - 1990 Decorator / Graphic Designer at Parel Promotion
I am an all-round designer with a strong timeless vision and devise concepts. After high school, in 1985, I started as a decorator for a graphic design company. In addition to staging and decoration I have learned many graphical facets in practice: screen and offset printing, pre-press and the traditional graphic drawing.
Early 1986 I was one of the first and few in The Netherlands who started working with Desktop Publishing on
the very first Apple Macintosh computers. Because of my expertise and skills in Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design I was asked in 1990 to work for Studio Grafitech (Adobe - Apple Europe division)
In 1993, I got the opportunity to start my own Advertising/Graphic Design companies, first OPUS II.and not much later Omnus.
Both companies became a success.
Besides running OPUS II and Omnus, me being both designer and Art Director never stopped me from continuously improve my skills and over the years follow several training and courses
During my career in graphic design I gradually gained interest in product design. I 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 my 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, the Golden A’ Design Award Winner for Street Furniture Design Category 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 and the IDA Golden Design Award. My designs are typical Dutch Design, which can be characterized as: minimalistic, experimental, innovative, quirky and humorous.
1993 HKU University of the Arts, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Post Academic Study Art Direction
Work experience:
2007 - Current Industrial Designer / Owner and Founder of Tulpi BV in Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
1993 - 2007 Graphic Designer / Art Director / Owner and Founder of OPUS II and Omnus
1990 - 1993 Desktop Publisher / Graphic Designer at Studio Grafitech (Apple - Adobe Europe)
1985 - 1990 Decorator / Graphic Designer at Parel Promotion
I am an all-round designer with a strong timeless vision and devise concepts. After high school, in 1985, I started as a decorator for a graphic design company. In addition to staging and decoration I have learned many graphical facets in practice: screen and offset printing, pre-press and the traditional graphic drawing.
Early 1986 I was one of the first and few in The Netherlands who started working with Desktop Publishing on
the very first Apple Macintosh computers. Because of my expertise and skills in Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design I was asked in 1990 to work for Studio Grafitech (Adobe - Apple Europe division)
In 1993, I got the opportunity to start my own Advertising/Graphic Design companies, first OPUS II.and not much later Omnus.
Both companies became a success.
Besides running OPUS II and Omnus, me being both designer and Art Director never stopped me from continuously improve my skills and over the years follow several training and courses
During my career in graphic design I gradually gained interest in product design. I 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 my 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, the Golden A’ Design Award Winner for Street Furniture Design Category 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 and the IDA Golden Design Award. My designs are typical Dutch Design, which can be characterized as: minimalistic, experimental, innovative, quirky and humorous.
I love it to be this creative, there are so many ideas to devise, products to shape and restyle.
it relaxes me to put my ideas, the visions in my head on paper (in computer) and see if I can make my designs come to life.
it relaxes me to put my ideas, the visions in my head on paper (in computer) and see if I can make my designs come to life.
I chose to be a designer.
I design (Street) Furniture for public places; eye-catching-landmarks. I like to design all products needed for spaces where people come together like parks, (sport)stadiums, shopping malls, hotel lobbies, airports. For example; chairs, benches, waste-bins, lanterns, fountains, tables, fences. Everything adapted to one style.
Look carefully around you, observe, watch closely. Respect other designers and learn from them. Try not to be better but rather be different.
A great designer has multiple successful, diverse and different designs wich will leave a piece of history to humanity.
A good design is each a pleasure for the eye (mind) and comfort for the body (functionality).
Good design speaks. Good design tells your visitors you care about your product. Good design at the front-end suggests that everything is in order at the back-end. Good design is what separates the best from the “good-enough”. Unless you can really compete on price you better find another way to differentiate yourself. That other way is design.
Furniture for Vitra.
Amusement park/Entertainment park like Disney World / Euro Disney.
A good mix of minimalistic, experimental, innovative, quirky and humorous.
Charles en Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Marcel Wanders, Philippe Starck, Frank Lloyd Wright.
Coca Cola bottle by Alexander Samuelson, Juicy Salif by Philippe Starck, EA 117 Charles en Ray Eames, Gullwing 300SL Coupe by Mercedes- Benz. Timeless beautiful designs.
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!
To look more and better at the work of other artists and designers. Ask yourself if you could make/made it better/different.
Use criticism as a supplement!
Use criticism as a supplement!
Be a dance club owner.
Design is that unique part of an object that makes it eye-candy.
My teachers, bosses and colleagues. My family is my biggest supporter.
To be open minded, young at heart, positive, eager to learn and not afraid to fail.
Accept that I am that good (too modest).
With great passion and full surrender. Clarity over the course of the design process.
My next design projects are Tulpi-Grace (indoor version of the Tulpi-seat) and Tulpi-benche. More eye-catching landmarks.
To create/design products that people love, embrace, give them a smile and remember (even after my death).
To have ideas, visions they do not have and to translate them in design.
When people love/like their environment/public space they are more willing to open up to others. When you are happy you want to share it, people behave better in a clean environment / beautiful surroundings.
Soccerstadium.
Tulpi-seat. It is a perfect combination of design, ergonomics and sustainability with a huge fun factor! It is now ‘planted’ in more then 34 countries! Even the Dutch Royals presented Tulpi-seats as a gift to other officials.
Less copies of original designs.
More custom made design through technology like 3D printing.
That highly depends on the project. A new product to design, prototyping, testing, developing and producing could take about 2 years or more.
It starts with an idea on how a certain “problem” could be solved. Then in an inspiring surrounding my own process of designing 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 mode.
Design according your own vision!
I think it starts at: design sets the trends and after setting this trend, many designs follow.
It helps me to realize ideas. It makes it tangible or visible for me and my customer. (Example: hard- and software, 3D printer).
Appel Macintosh MacBook Pro (Retina). Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign.
To create joy and fun in my designs; open the colorful world of Tulpi-design.
How I got the idea.
Wow, thats looks great, who is the designer?
Marcel Wanders. I believe in co-design, not always but in specific situations it is better to work together.
Leon van der Maarel, Fred Willems and Luc Reefman.
Supermarionation (world of Gerry Anderson), Jugendstile (Könemann), Honderd jaar Nederlandse architectuur (Sun), Kunst van de twintigste eeuw (Taschen).
Mostly by teaching myself. To watch other designers and their work. Eagerness to learn. Taking lessons and following courses.
Leonardo da Vinci.
It is hard to act in the right way when being famous. To radiate success without being arrogrant.
1. Color: Fresh green.
2. Place: After Home, Vienna.
3. Food: Steak
4. Season: Spring
5. Thing: Mascot
6. Brand: Apple
2. Place: After Home, Vienna.
3. Food: Steak
4. Season: Spring
5. Thing: Mascot
6. Brand: Apple
After sketching the first Tulpi-seat on paper I decided to let it be worked out in a 3D -drawing - program. When finishing his work, the engineer called me and asked me whether I had invented a new baby rattle or lollipop..... I had to sketch again :)
To be proud of my own designs. To look at the bright side of life, listen to music which fits to the designing process.
I always drew and built something new.
Technology (computers/robots) will be taking over mankind. Living in a computer-game like world, hard to recognize what is real and what is fiction. But we designers, artists will always be needed to feed these machines with originals.
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.
Designer Interview
24 October 2016
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.
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.
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.
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.
(Street)furniture
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!
A signboard for a liquor store
Plastic. Rotation molding and injection molding
After visiting a city or an event parc.
On the shape and functionality of the design
Pleasure, joy and excitement.
Relieved, love and elation
A design is successful when it’s a pleasure to the mind and eyes, and a comfort for the body.
How and what the design looks like.
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.
A designers responsibility is to create a better and more Social Cohesion.
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)
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.
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.
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.
Reading blogs and watching new designs. Watching movies. Interested in science fiction.
The Tulpi is a typical Dutch Design which we can characterize as: minimalistic, experimental, innovative, quirky and humorous.
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.
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.
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.
The companies pay me for my designs and services.
As a Industrial Designer I work for companies on a project base.
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.
Select a designer on base of his portfolio, education, and his IDR ranking.
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.
1. Tulpi-seat
2. Banz-bord kast
3. Leolux bank
4. Apple Macintosh Macbook Pro
5. Harman Kardon Speakers
2. Banz-bord kast
3. Leolux bank
4. Apple Macintosh Macbook Pro
5. Harman Kardon Speakers
Average working day
Administration, answering email, work at my new designs, customer acquisition, networking, production supervision.
Administration, answering email, work at my new designs, customer acquisition, networking, production supervision.
Keep believing in your designs and yourself! Use critisim as a supplement!
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)
Negative: Pressure, always pressure to have new ideas and designs ready to produce. Especially when customer assignments are in order. (deadlines)
Work according your own vision!
To be creative, and problem-solving skills.
Pencil and paper - Indesign - Illustrator - Photoshop - Solid-works - Google - Macintosh computer - design books and magazines.
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.
Depends on the product. In case of Tulpi-seat it took 4 years designing from beginning to end.
“Can you design this?”
To design and produce my own Tulpi-seat
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
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
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.
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.
Designing mercheandising goods. Designing various products on commission base. Starting a Dutch Design Collective.
In the first place I develop the designs by myself but at the end I assemble a team to build the final design.
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.
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.
www.tulpi.nl - info@tulpi.nl - sales@tulpi.nl