Willem van Hooff | Designer & Artist

© Willem van Hooff

Eindhoven-born designer and artist Willem van Hooff aims to bring the stories of materials and forgotten techniques to light. Since 2019, he has been running his own studio, primarily working with ceramics, while also experimenting with wood, metal, and other materials. Van Hooff’s work draws inspiration from historical forms and humanity’s past production practices, aiming to combine function, aesthetics, and character in each piece. His passion for storytelling, which began in childhood with trees, stones, and sand, continues today as a central method in his designs.

We spoke with van Hooff about his design philosophy, material choices, and creative process, as well as how he draws inspiration from the past while looking toward the future. Interview: Onur Çoban

Who is Willem van Hooff? Can you briefly introduce yourself?

My name is Willem van Hooff, born in 1992 designer / artist from Eindhoven. Studied at Design academy Eindhoven and now run my own art/design studio since 2019. We mostly work with ceramics but now slowly getting more known for other materials. I love to write and tell stories on the materials I used to do as a little kid on trees and stones and sand so I just kept on doing that.

© Willem van Hooff

How would you define your design philosophy?

I have always been fascinated by the story behind the creation process. I’m interested in history and humanity developed primarily around the making of objects, buildings, and materials. For example, I always wanted the items with the most dents; these had endured the most. He then created his own stories around these objects. I want to bring these aesthetics and feelings into my designs. My ideas often stem from old historical builds of humanity, which I then apply in a new way. This year I have created a 2025 version of the very first chair, the beam chair.

What factors do you consider when conducting material research or selecting materials for new projects? Could you tell us a bit about your material choices in your work?

I look at the materials that are close to me at that time. For example, My woodworks started 3 years ago, because there was a storm in my town. A lot of trees have fallen down from that storm and I have asked if I could give does tree’s a new life. That’s the starting point for the complete Ripped wood collection, I try to use all the wood that was given to me. Even the branches are used as the legs of the furniture pieces.

© Willem van Hooff

Can you share a bit about the production process in your projects?

In my workspace I mostly focus on ceramics, this is a material that needs a lot of patience which I’m not super good at. That’s why it’s really nice that I now also work with other materials, so half a day we can focus on ceramics and in the time we need to wait we work with wood or metal. Mostly we work with 2 people and an intern. And were constantly trying to make time to experiment and make time for “new ideas.”

Among your projects so far, which one has excited you the most in terms of the design process and the final outcome?

I have created this huge ceramic vase, with the text: I didn't do enough on it. It was presented during Milan design week at an exhibition where only Male artists could join. All the artists had to talk about their mental health, so I started listening to this ugly voice in my head, and writing down what it was saying. I had the text before I knew what I was going to create, and then I decided to create this vase which is based on the champions league of football (a trophy most men adore). I think this work was a perfect circle.

© Willem van Hooff

Can you tell us about the sources of inspiration behind your work? Who are the names you follow with interest, either in this field or across different disciplines?

I don’t like to search on the internet or Instagram, you see too much stuff and it stops you from creating. But off course I ALSO DO IT. Offcourse I have some favorite artist: Max Lamb, Jean-michel Basquiat, Nacho Carbonell (All have no Instagram haha)

Are you excited about the future? What plans do you have ahead?

I’m more excited about the past (haha) I do, I’m excited about the future. I’m having a brand new collaboration with a tech company, which is a weird combination and that’s why it was really surprising and exciting. I re-designed some simple items as multi-plugs and wifi-routers and more household items. Items that are super important in our 2025 homes but are mostly hidden inside our homes. I create working, ceramic, art pieces that you want to highlight in your house. The “totems” that they kind of are in our daily lives.