A quick look behind-the-scenes: introducing three of our Dutch Digital Design curators. Firstly, meet Rolf Coppens from GRRR, Dutch digital design agency for meaningful matters, and Mr. Chief Curator. He will share his and, of course, Dutch Digital Design’s view on what we do, why and how we do it. Paulien Hosang – visual designer at Dutch digital design agency Greenberry, and Joost Huver – design lead at Achtung! Amsterdam, will give you a quick impression of what matters to them as Dutch Digital Design curators.
What we do, why and how we do it – by Rolf Coppens
We are on a mission to share Dutch Digital Design with the world. We want to celebrate the best Dutch digital work out there, based on three pillars: originality, craft, and positive impact on society. All of these factors count, but not every case has to excel at all three. One thing counts for sure: the work has to stand out. It needs to have the wow-factor. Needless to say that the work has to be produced in the Netherlands or by Dutch people living or working abroad.
Dutch Digital Design has a great team of curators - from the best digital design agencies in the Netherlands. They (digitally) come together to discuss their choice of best Dutch digital work and why this particular work should feature on our website. Each month a selection is made of what will feature on our website.
Life as a curator - by Paulien Hosang and Joost Huver
Paulien has been a curator for Dutch Digital Design since December 2019. The things she looks at over and above our three pillars when looking for outstanding Dutch digital design work, is whether the execution of a project truly suits its purpose. However, when looking at our three pillars, the impact a digital project has on society matters to her most. Projects nowadays can’t really get away with not adding any value to the user. It is also Paulien’s personal mission to ensure that the work she creates, together with her other colleagues at Greenberry, somehow contributes to making the world a better place. It is what she genuinely believes in, and also why she works at Greenberry – an agency that has every intention to create smarter digital design that helps make things better - for the user and, ultimately, for the world.
But a good balance between impact, craft and originality is essential. It should be visually appealing, the technology innovative and the user experience inclusive to all.
Paulien’s favourite Dutch Digital Design case so far is Nachtloerrrders. It shows an impactful digital journey - from start to finish - with active involvement of children in the development of this project, seeing their own work digitised. A perfect, tangible digital translation of what might happen if we continue to disturb animal habitats with our cities lighting up the night skies.
Joost is proud of what our small country produces. Our cities are well-known around the world: Eindhoven for industrial design, Amsterdam for graphic design, Rotterdam for urban design. And we’re not doing so badly when it comes to digital design either. So, when he was asked whether he would like to help share the best Dutch digital design with the rest of the world by becoming a curator, Joost didn’t have to think twice. He finds his role as curator inspiring: learning something new every day, making you want to push yourself even harder.
When it comes to the three Dutch Digital Design pillars, he believes that all three matter. Although, originality is important to him. A project needs to be innovative, with a unique idea or approach. With attention to detail, however simple or clean the design is. What does positive impact mean to Joost? The work needs to be relevant to the user, and offer a solution. People demand honesty. They see right through things if it doesn’t do what it promised.
Finally, a project has to feel like a personal experience to the user. People no longer want to be seen as part of a specific target audience.
One of Joost’s favourite Dutch Digital Design cases: LEELA, digital-only fashion platform. According to Joost, it perfectly embraces the three pillars: originality, craft and positive impact.