Frits Magazine
Topdesigners van de Toekomst
Published in 2008, Dutch lifestyle and culture magazine Frits dedicated a feature to the emerging generation of designers shaping the future of Eindhoven’s creative scene. The article, titled “Topdesigners van de Toekomst” (“Top Designers of the Future”), highlighted a selection of promising young talents connected to the Design Academy Eindhoven and the city’s rapidly growing design culture.
Eindhoven as a Breeding Ground for Design
The article opens by observing that whenever the Dutch Design Week takes place in Eindhoven, one thing becomes immediately clear: the city is overflowing with talent. Journalist Monique van Empel notes that Eindhoven is home to an unusually large number of design partnerships and creative collaborations, many formed during studies at the Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE).
The feature presents several designers and studios considered part of the next generation of Dutch design, including BCXSY, Studio JSPR, JOINE Office for Design, and Bloomming.
Bloomming
Among the selected studios was Bloomming, founded by Bas van Leeuwen and Mireille Meijs.
The article explains that their collaboration began during their time at the Design Academy Eindhoven:
“Opeens was het ‘blooming’ tussen ons en sindsdien wonen en werken we samen.”
Translated:
“Suddenly it was ‘blooming’ between us, and ever since we have been living and working together.”
The feature emphasises the complementary nature of their partnership. According to Bas:
“Mireille is conceptueel erg sterk, ik ben juist technisch goed.”
Translated:
“Mireille is very strong conceptually, while I excel in the technical side.”
Growing Recognition
At the time of publication, Bloomming had already gained attention at numerous design events and exhibitions. The article notes that their work had recently been presented in cities including:
- Eindhoven
- Brussels
- Utrecht
- Amsterdam
- Rotterdam
- Hong Kong
This growing international exposure reflected the increasing interest in their experimental approach to interiors and product design.
Lightfacet
The article features a large image of Lightfacet, Bloomming’s modular room divider system.
The accompanying caption states:
“Roomdivider Light Facet maakt het mogelijk om te spelen met licht en schaduw.”
Translated:
“Room divider Light Facet makes it possible to play with light and shadow.”
Lightfacet is presented as an example of the studio’s ability to combine functional interior solutions with an architectural and sculptural aesthetic. Through its rotating diamond-shaped modules, the divider allows users to adjust transparency and create changing patterns of light throughout a space.
About Eindhoven
When asked about Eindhoven, Bloomming highlighted the city’s creative energy:
“Eindhoven ontwikkelt zich op diverse vlakken, niet alleen op designgebied maar ook op het gebied van architectuur, exposities, muziek en dergelijke. Er zit veel creativiteit in Eindhoven en dat lijkt steeds meer naar buiten te komen.”
Translated:
“Eindhoven is developing on many levels, not only in design but also in architecture, exhibitions, music and more. There is a great deal of creativity in Eindhoven, and that that seems to be becoming increasingly visible to the outside world.”
This statement reflected the optimism surrounding Eindhoven’s transformation into one of Europe’s most influential design cities.
Publication details
Publication: Frits Magazine
Country: Netherlands
Year: 2008
Feature: Topdesigners van de Toekomst
Author: Monique van Empel
Pages: 110–113
Studio featured: Bloomming
Designers: Bas van Leeuwen & Mireille Meijs
Product featured: Lightfacet
Location: Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Why this feature mattered
Frits positioned Bloomming among a carefully selected group of emerging Dutch designers expected to shape the future of design in the Netherlands. Rather than focusing solely on individual products, the article highlighted the strength of the partnership between Bas van Leeuwen and Mireille Meijs and recognised Bloomming as part of a broader movement that was helping establish Eindhoven as an international design capital.
The inclusion of Lightfacet demonstrated how the studio’s work combined innovation, functionality and visual experimentation—qualities that would later become defining characteristics of the Bloomming collection.
