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. In his work he focuses attention on ideas rather than style. Aiming to make people think twice, and prolong the lifespan of his products in an era where the cycle of fashion spins ever faster. But most of all he invites you to Do It Yourself and be actively involved in realising the final product.

He produces his designs under his own management in small numbers, with local resources, common production techniques and standard materials. 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
  • Knock on wood, ToolsGalerie, Paris, presenting "everything but the manual", 14 January - 10 March 
2011
  • 10 makers / 10 stages, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven, presenting "everything but the manual" 
  • 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 Cordunean
  • Living&Design, Osaka, Japan, concept, design and curating of the stand of the Dutch Consulate of Osaka.
  • Sleeping out of the box, by Maison Caro, a non profit platform that introduces young designers in a  guesthouse in Gent, Belgium
  • "Next to nothing", 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"", participation in the exhibition by Nova Art Gallery and Beeldbode during the Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven
  • "Rapid Manufacturing", design comptition by The Hub and TNO during the Dutch Design Week, Stadhuis Eindhoven
  • "Out of the box", participation in the exhibition by Yksi during the Dutch Design Week, Stadhuis 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 FYS junior 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