Designer of the Month: Hella Jonerius

Do you remember, way back in October of 2009, when I looked at the Dutch design collective, Droog? Well, for February's Designer of the Month, I thought it might be fun to look at one of the designers who got her start in Droog, but has since become her own force within the design world. I'm talking about Hella Jonerius (b. 1963), of course, a Dutch product designer who, through her studio, Jongeriuslab, has created many personal projects, in addition to her collaborations with the likes of giants of the industrial design industry such as Ikea, Vitra and Maharam.

Courtesy of Design Museum, London.

I particularly like the image of Jongerius above because of the major importance that color plays in her designs. Jongerious has never shied away from color, and views bringing an artistic standard of color to industrial production as one of her personal challenges in life. Similarly, although many of the items that Jongerius has created have been for the purpose of mass-production, craftsmanship has always been a vital part of her design and production process. 

Jongerius in her Berlin studio. Courtesy of dwell.

As one of the most influential product designers in the world, Jongerius has used her talent and skill to create designs that are both functional and beautiful, two elements that are too easily lost within the process of mass-production. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to look at some of the topics that Jongerius has explored through her work, focusing on issues of mass-production and industry, imperfections and craftsmanship, and her special relationship to color. I hope you'll join me.