Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
I've been living in Eindhoven for almost 22 years now. Originally from Twente, I moved here to study at the Design Academy. During my time at the academy, I met Christoph Brach, together we have two sons, Ando and Ite. Christoph and I run Raw Color, a multidisciplinary design studio focused on graphic design, photography and product design, with colour at the core.
How did you come up with the name ‘Raw Color’?
It all started with a project about natural dyes that Christoph and I started right after our graduation in 2007. Experimenting with vegetables to create a vibrant color palette. This is where the name Raw Color was born. Initially, it was just a project name, but people started associating it with our studio. So, after rounds of brainstorming and chats with friends, we circled back to Raw Color. It just felt right. And thankfully, it still does. It's not just about the two of us anymore; it's about our team, the collective creativity that thrives Raw Color.
How do you find working together as partners?
Our studio is situated at the ground floor of our home, this means that my professional life and personal life are meld together. Christoph and I are practically inseparable, spending almost every moment together, and thankfully, it works very well. Back when we graduated, we shared a 30-square-meter apartment that also served as our studio space. Remarkably, this setup has always suited us perfectly.
We rarely have disagreements, occasional discussions which are mostly work-related and often crucial for refining our ideas. Just last year, a minor disagreement led to a humorous moment when our eldest, Ando, quipped, 'Wow, you guys finally have a fight.' It was enough to dissolve any tension instantly. At work, we usually focus on our own projects, but there are moments, like the Ikea project, where our combined efforts are essential. Similarly, at home, we have our individual projects alongside collaborative tasks, functioning like a well-oiled machine.
What is your favourite moment of quality-time at home?
To be honest, I don’t feel the need to take moments just for myself. I enjoy sleeping in on the weekends. With the boys now old enough to rise on their own, Christoph and I can both stay in. I enjoy this moment, but it's also funny that the boys are having a moment for themselves. If I dare to get out of bed too early, they will send me back.
Another moment of the day that I really enjoy is our walk with the team during lunch. Every workday, rain or shine, we take a walk through the park nearby our studio. The idea started when I had a concussion a few years ago, and we've rarely skipped it since. It’s those little moments that I enjoy the most. I don’t have a weird hobby or go to the gym five times a week; I just love to spend time at home with the people I hold dear. I truly enjoy being at home.
What is your favourite moment at home with the kids?
Also, when it comes to the kids, I particularly enjoy our moments at home. Whether it's having breakfast together on weekends, tucking them into bed and reading them a bedtime story, these simple joys make me the happiest. Whenever we're home for a few days, we have our rituals, like creating a "lucky box" filled with small drawings of activities we can do together. Each of us creates a drawing visualizing the activity they'd like to share. Unfortunately, the "M" from McDonald's tends to appear frequently in the lucky box, but it's all part of the joy of childhood. For instance, despite having many design items in our home, we're not the type of parents who only purchase wooden toys for our kids.
How do you balance this with your career?
It can be challenging, but at times, it also works very well. What I find crucial is that both Ando and Ite are fully aware of what we do as parents. Many kids have no clue about their parents' work, but Ando and Ite often come down to the studio and see with their own eyes what we're working on. I hope this leaves an impression on them, though ultimately, they'll choose their own paths. Last week, my eldest, Ando, approached me and asked if he could take over the studio when he's older. It made me laugh, especially when he added, "Then all my friends can come work here."
How do you pass on your own creativity to your kids?
We encourage their creativity, but they just go to a regular school and have their own interests. What I find most crucial is teaching them about the value of creativity and crafting something with their own hands. Last year, their school had a theme centered around 'art', often focusing on renowned artists like Rembrandt and Van Gogh. Some of our own pieces, like the ‘The Fans', are part of the Stedelijk Museum's collection. We took the opportunity to explain to the kids about what art can be. Together, we crafted small windmills inspired by The Fans.
What was the greatest ‘aha’ moment in your life?
Before I became a mother, I was always focused on work. In our case, our hobby became our profession, so this transition was quite natural. Our studio was our baby; we worked in the evenings and on weekends. However, the moment Ando was born, the urge to take care of the studio at all times faded. My priorities realigned; while the studio remained important to me, it took on a different perspective, which I believe is very healthy. Suddenly, we became a family, and we had to do family stuff. The growth of our team and the ability to share our successes became a great gift.
If you could spend a moment with anyone, living or deceased, who would it be?
That would be my own mother; unfortunately, she passed away when I was only 7 years old. Back in those days, Mother’s Day wasn’t a day that I could enjoy, but that changed when I became a mother myself. A few days ago, I stumbled upon my Mother’s Day gift in the cabinet. My youngest, Ite, isn't the best at keeping secrets. For the past few years, I've had to uncover it weeks before Mother’s Day. He knows that I know where it is, but this year, we'll leave it there until Mother’s Day.
