Job purpose:

To ensure that our clients unique design history is a constant source of inspiration for current and future creativity and to make the use of the design archive a strategic element in the designs.

The company

Our client is a Dutch design and textile printing company. Influenced by Indonesian Batik, designed in the Netherlands, it’s history and design style is a multicultural mixture of beauty and industrial craftsmanship. Founded in 1846 by Dutch entrepreneurs, It is one of the world’s most dynamic fabric design companies with a reputation for surprising creativity and global exchange. Within this exchange is the story of African women — entrepreneurs and tailors who took the prints into their hearts and culture; creating meanings around the designs and beautiful garments to express their individuality

They have been designing and manufacturing distinctive fabrics loved by African women since 1846. The specially crafted fabrics – Wax Hollandais, Super-Wax – continue to be made with time-honoured methods and materials in Helmond, the Netherlands.

Key Tasks

• Analysis of the brands design history
• Using archive designs strategically to inspire new designs
• Seeking commercial and creative understanding for re-interpretations of old designs
• Creating a framework for the potential of archive designs in relation to the contemporary design world

Standards of performance

• The largest print archive in the world must be comprehensively understood for its historical origins and its modern potential

• Designs and elements of designs should be systematically discussed with designers to inspire new design directions

• Contacts should be established to understand market reaction to archive designs and how they can best be commercially exploited.

• A wide understanding of the print archive should be used to position the brand history as relevant in current, global design.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor degree in Design (any field)
• Experience with material research, packaging and branding
• Up to date in brands, trends and sustainability knowledge
• You are a design driven person and a material expert
• Curiosity and ability to explore and find opportunities that suit the African context
• Good team worker, autonomous and organized
• Prepared to travel, notably to Africa

Location: South of the Netherlands