David Graas (Haarlem, The Netherlands) studied product design at the Gerrit Rietveld Art Academy in Amsterdam. Since 2004 he works as an independent product designer. More then anything else his work is about uplifting the ordinary and even the bland to something worthwhile. Questioning the mechanisms that determine the value of things and showing that good design (and a little humor) can bring value to anything. His focus lies with ideas rather than style. Aiming to establish an understanding between his products and their users and prolong their lifespan in an era where the cycle of fashion spins ever faster. 

From the start of his studio in 2004 all of his designs are produced under his own management in small numbers and with local resources.

Among his commissioned work you will find furniture, packaging, business gifts and an award. On a regular basis he organises presentations of his work and gives lectures and workshops about his design practice and philosophy.


Shows / Exhibitions / Lectures / Projects



2012
  • On the road, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven 
  • Jurymember, competition for cardboard seating object organized by the SPOT Foundation, Poznan, Poland
  • Meet the makers, lecture on design practice and process, KOP, Breda
  • Poznan Fan Zone, consulting the organization of the Euro 2012 soccer championships on sustainable design, Poznan, Poland
  • It's a wrap, KOP, Breda
  • Knock on wood, ToolsGalerie, Paris
  • Lecture about sustainable design for students in Interior Architecture, Minerva Academy, Groningen 
2011
  • 10 makers / 10 stages, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven 
  • Week van het ontwerpen, Kortrijk, Belgium in cooperation with De Invasie
  • "A family of objects", DMY International Design Festival, Berlin, in cooperation with Ioana Corduneanu
2010
  • "My design is très eco, because...", lectures and design competition for students and young professionals in Bucharest and Cluj, Romenia, in cooperation with Ioana Corduneanu
  • Living&Design, Osaka, Japan, concept, design and curating of the stand of the Dutch Consulate of Osaka
  • Cardboard masterclass and workshops for students and young professionals in design, architecture and fine art. At the invitation of the Dutch Embassy, Skopje, Macedonia
  • "The noble art of improvisation", lecture during the Ekomotiv festival, Gent, Belgium
2009 
  • "Paper, Plastic, Fabric"", Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven
  • "Extra Ordinary", exhibition at Liefhertje en de Grote Witte Reus, Den Haag
  • “Karton, een duurzaam alternatief?”, lecture for O2 Nederland, Den Haag
  • “Maak ons land”, participation in the exhibition by Nederlands Architectuur Instituut (NAI), Rotterdam
  • “Into Dutch design”, participation in the exhibition by Uniquole, Stockholm, Sweden
2008 
  • “New Dutch Design Via Moscow”, participation in the exhibition by Uniquole, Moskou, Russia
  • "Strijp X", group presentation during the Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven
  • "From ordinary to extra-ordinary", Lecture and workhop at the International Industrial Design Symposium, University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
  • Lecture about the design practice, for students design and fashion, HKU, Utrecht
2007
  • Nomination Finish It Yourself for the Dutch Design Awards
  • IMM furniture fair, Cologne, Germany


Commissions
  • TNT
  • Triodos Bank
  • Cor Unum
  • Philips
  • Senter Novem
  • Van den Biesen Boesveld Advocaten
  • Latin Sisters Design Productions
  • Dutch Embassy of Skopje, Macedonia
  • Dutch Consulate of Osaka, Japan
  • Geschenk Met Verhaal



Selection of publications