About
My name is Sander van der Valk and I am amongst others a passionate creator. My creations are my self-expression. Since long I have found a lot of value in expressing myself through different means. There is soo much to be learned in the process of creating an actual idea. It’s magic and there is an almost therapeutic teaching in learning to fuel visions, valuing ideas that ‘are not there yet’, finding trust in a sometimes chaotic creative process, as well as in learning to share the outcomes with the world.
Portret by Sanne Bovenberg (2023)
Back in the day when I was a teenager… At the age of 15, I started painting and doing jobs. Much earlier however you could see me drawing and get lost in the flow of the pencil (or crayon) → ↓
“What u looking at?” Picture by mom (1996)
A curved path
My path has directed me the past few years towards building the things designed. While my hands grew bigger and stronger, the gained experience helped to make my ideas more workable and the work results more effective. Personally it bore fruit as well, helping me to make choices, be more patient, devoted and realistic.
I have started off as a product designer, learning about creative processes, design thinking, analyzing problems instead of jumping to solutions. Learning to research, consider various perspectives or approaches and learn different tools to create with. From pencil to photoshop to 3D modeling and so on.
My creations have a personal aspect to it. So just like me, my creations are in constant development. On this website you’ll see different type of creative projects in which I have played different roles over the years. From experience and spatial design to illustration, from art director, designer to builder. If you feel a connection to the work and have a question about what I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out! (I enjoy drinking coffee with strangers)
If you came this far on my page, change is you are interested in my personal stories and processes related to the work I make. If you subscribe to my newsletter you’ll get a so now and than news update (in Dutch).
Fresh perspectives
The archetype of this free inner child is one that I strive to keep alive in my practice. When guided correctly, this child can be held accountable for the most creative and surprising outlets. I aim to consult this child in every project and make use of his vivid and flexible perspectives. This makes it possible to start a project afresh. We can prevent being dragged into our habitual pathways of thinking, we can consciously choose the best direction to go.
I recognise that there is a material and spiritual reality to life. The latter is where I put a lot of time in the last eight years. I’ve undertaken far away journeys, periods of silence and have had profound inner journeys. Life dances between all the extremes, none of which can be eliminated.
The process of creation is a dance and for me a means to honor life. So next to the fun it brings, the aim of this studio for each project is to realize one or more of the following points.
The product or space:
inspires shifting perspectives or offers educational value
creates beauty and a sense of wonder
makes conscious (re)use of materials
brings people together, inspiring acceptance and right action
conveys stories
conveys playfulness and inspire personal expression
Background and experiences
Study
Industrial design engineering (bsc), Integrated Product Design (masters) - TU delft faculty of design engineering
I have worked with…
Kleine Klussers - tiny house building (2023, 2024)
Bende Rotterdam - concept designer and builder, salaried (2021 - 2022)
MMEK’ design utrecht - experience designer, salaried (2019 - 2020)
Mindful homes - building of tiny houses, freelance (2022)
Interieur Makers Rotterdam - interior building and furniture making, freelance (2022, 2023)
Studio Walden - Shankra festival Swiss, building mainstage (2022)
Strak maatwerk - furniture making, freelance (2022-2024)
Other celebrated collaborations
Dreams surfshop - T-shirt design (2022)
Hans Schuttenbeld - artist, painter and poet
Merel van de Ende - photographer
Jilles de Man - artist and illustrator
Robin Overschie - designer and artist
Pia van den Beuken - photographer and videographer
Sanne bovenberg - photographer and illustrator
…and worked for
Brussels Beer Project (bende) - interior design and production management of beer cellar (2021) See project
Hotel Wonderland Amsterdam (bende) - interior design and art direction entrance bars and more (2021)
TU Delft cafe X (bende) - design of bar in cultural space (2021)
Focus Bikes (bende) - design of shop-in-shop stand for Ride Out store in Amsterdam (2021)
Steilrand expeditie Rotterdam - design, renovation and painting of nomadic landingspot (2022) See project
Plaswijckpark Rotterdam (MMEK) - new design for outdoor water playground (2019) See project
Continium Discovery centre (MMEK) - game and experience design of interactive exhibits (2019)
Princes Máxima centre (MMEK) - customer research hospital waiting areas (2019)
Amsterdam UMC (MMEK) - research and explorative design for polyclinic (2019)
TU Delft faculty industrial design - design coach first year students (2019 - 2020)
STC college Rotterdam - illustrative murals (2017) See project
Adventure City Rotterdam - murals (2018 - 2019)
Jump XL Rotterdam - mural (800m2) (2017)
Lievaart transport - murals (2016 - 2019)
CAN concepts - in collaboration, design and painting of murals (2015 - 2018)