INTERVIEW BY TRACEY INGRAM
When did you realize that
design was your vocation?
maarten baas: As a young boy I didn’t
know that the job of a designer existed.
All I knew was that I wanted to be
creative in one way or another. It was
only at age 15, when an older friend of
mine began to study architecture, that I
discovered design was a profession. I
liked the idea of self-expression within
set parameters, and I still approach
design in that way. I don’t consider
myself to be an industrial designer.
Perhaps I’m more of an artist born in a
designer’s body.
What were your fi rst
creative expressions?
mb: All kinds of things. My parents gave
me a lot of freedom. I had my own
bedroom and would play around in it,
customizing everything from furniture to
guitars to bicycles. At one point I slept in
a hammock, which demanded a different
kind of bedside table: something I could
easily reach when reclining yet tuck away
when I wanted to swing. In a way, my
circumstances forced me to start
designing.
You eventually made things
of cial by studying at Design
Academy Eindhoven…
Yes, but after three months there I almost
quit. I was at the point of discussing with
the administrative department the
possibility of getting a refund. Then my
father told me that he thought I was in
the right space. He didn’t push me, but
subtly suggested that I stay. From that
moment on I decided to go for it, even
though that early uncertainty continued
throughout the years. My gut feeling was
that I had something to say but I didn’t
know how to express it. I failed many
D E S I G N D R E A M S
Maarten Baas
My gut feeling
was that I had
something to say
but I didn’t know
how to express it. I
failed many times.
SMOKE CHAIR & SMOKE
CHANDELIER BY MAARTEN BAAS.
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