“I’m learning to see mistakes and imperfections as opportunities, little rough edges that can actually make the work more interesting.”
Arjen and I first met at Hutspot, the Amsterdam concept store where he was working at the time. He had invited me to show my ceramics at one of their markets. Not long after, he signed up for a course at the studio and created a series of characteristic, donut-chaped porcelain plates. He has been close to the studio ever since. As a brand director, he brings a critical clarity I value, he sees the work from angles I sometimes miss. Today, Arjen leads our Porcelain Design Course, where he guides participants through the design process. Today I want to ask him a few questions about his own creative journey:
I’d love to hear where you’re at creatively these days. How are you feeling about your creative life right now? Lately I’ve been in a more reflective creative phase. Over the past two years I’ve been working through some personal blocks, learning to understand my needs better and to let go of fear and control. Therapy has helped me approach things with more clarity and kindness. In this phase, I’ve been drawn to more hands-on work instead of computer-based projects, small, tangible things that feel simple and satisfying. Following what feels right has become part of learning to move more freely toward my dreams and creative ambitions.
How do you juggle time-consuming aspects of life that can interfere with your creative aspirations? Honestly, I’m still figuring it out. As a freelancer I tend to say yes to too many things, and I like keeping all the plates spinning, until I realise I’m the one spinning. I work across different disciplines, which keeps things interesting, but also means my head can get pretty full. I’ve learned that doing more with my hands again helps me reset. I bought a kayak this spring, being out on the water with no screens or notifications is surprisingly good for organizing my thoughts. And the dog I sometimes look after makes sure I still get outside, even when I’d rather just keep working.
So I guess that’s how I try to protect my creative energy, by stepping away from it every now and then
What inspires you outside your own medium or discipline? I’ve always been drawn to colour and to modernist and (post)minimalist art and architecture. I love paying attention to form, material, and the subtle ways objects, spaces, and people interact. How a space feels, or how materials age over time, I love when something shows traces of use; it tells a quiet story. I don’t really go out looking for inspiration. It usually shows up in between things, in music, film, a walk in nature, or even in the shower when my mind drifts. For me, inspiration is more about staying open and letting ideas come naturally than trying to force them.
Do you experience inner resistance when working or before work. Like fear, self-doubt, perfectionism, or procrastination? Yes, I definitely struggle with self-doubt and perfectionism, usually right at the start of a project. Sometimes I spend so long thinking about how to start that I could have finished it twice already. I try to remind myself it doesn’t have to be perfect from the start, and that ideas can evolve, which takes some of the pressure off. A walk, my kayak, or even letting my mind wander in the shower usually does the trick too.
You brought an object with you, tell me about it. Why this? I brought a metal pen case that I made myself when I started studying at WdKA, back when I was 17. It was one of the very first things I made in the metal workshop, which later became the place where I spent most of my time, welding tables, lamps and clothing racks together. I don’t usually keep a lot of objects, but this one stayed with me. I still use it to hold my main utensils, because every design process still begins with pen and paper. My favorite pen is from Muji (I always stock up on refills when I’m abroad), and I love a Blackwing pencil, half the pressure, twice the speed.
It’s not a special object in itself, but it holds a quiet kind of nostalgia. It reminds me of the beauty and honesty of something simple and handmade.
How important is structure or routine for your creativity? Or are you someone who thrives in chaos? I never make lists. As a freelancer, I’m juggling projects, deadlines, emails, admin. Basically, I’m running the “whole office” in my head, sometimes I even forget to have lunch. But on the outside, I still manage to look calm and grounded.More than anything, I’m sensitive to the feeling of freedom in my creative process. I work best when I can follow my curiosity — if not, my brain goes on strike.Or Is there something you're currently unlearning in your creative process?I wouldn’t call it unlearning exactly, but I’m noticing patterns in my creative process. For example, I used to expect progress to be linear, like climbing a ladder of highs and lows. Now I’m seeing it as more organic, where growth in one area can spark progress in another, which is comforting, especially when I’m still trying to convince myself I know what I’m doing.
What’s something you know now about making, that you didn’t know a few years ago? I’ve learned that the more you know about something, the more you realize how little you actually know. Teaching ceramics keeps reminding me of that, every group of students comes in with fresh ideas and approaches I’d never think of myself. While I’m supposed to be the one guiding them through design, mold-making, and porcelain casting, I often end up learning just as much. It’s a nice reminder that “expertise” is really just staying curious.