Testimonials
Design that sticks!
Designers tell you why and how tape is the hidden driver of product innovation in many industries
At Afera we are always looking at the magic of design: creating something out of nothing. Wonderful products and solutions that seem to emerge from thin air. Sometimes these designs are so good that we cannot even imagine what our world was like before we could buy and use this product. Design changes lives!
Afera is the knowledge hub of the European adhesive tape industry. Adhesive tape is often the hidden driver that enables innovation in product design. Using tape, you can make products thinner, lighter, more engaging or you can add functional features.
We are honoured that we can contribute our part to new design that makes a better world, even if it’s often hidden inside and invisible. We know from our frequent development journeys with designers and engineers that working together from the early drawing stage to the final production process, we can join forces to add value to your customers and your business. But that is only the result of all the work that has been done before. And it always - really always - begins with great design talent and ideas that stick. That’s why we have created this online environment containing a series of interviews with designers.
Suggestions for designer interviews are welcome. Please send them to mail@afera.com
Check the testimonials below
'Industrial design with a superhero twist'
Jackson Gordon (January, 1994) is an industrial design student at PhilaU (Philadelphia University). He definitely wants to become an all-round designer, but for now his protective armoured suit modelled in Batman’s image has become world news in 2015. After receiving lots of media attention and positive feedback, he decided to streamline his designs and began selling them, and many props, to the world. Industrial design with a (unique) wink.
'Whatever I create should be versatile'
Bart Nijboer (August, 1990) has studied industrial design and later graduated with a Bachelor of Fine arts at the ArtEZ Institute of Fine Arts. Bart is truly an artist who knows his materials. He created industrial lamps, and now uses his creativity to make decorative and unique objects, as well as big sculptures, without having to deal with limitations of any kind.
'A successful design needs to maintain this balance of simplicity and complexity'
Jacob Nitz is an American-born furniture and product designer. He received his bachelors of science in industrial design from the University of Cincinnati's Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning Programme in 2010. Nitz moved to Chicago in June 2011 to work with the prestigious design studio MNML where he was appointed senior designer. He relocated to Eindhoven in June 2015 to build Jacob Nitz Studio and to work with new clients throughout Europe and abroad.
'Tape is ideal for making webs, like a spider does'
Christoph Katzler (1968) was born in Vienna. With Nikola Radeljković and Sven Jonke he is a founding member of Numen/ForUse, a Croatian-Austrian design collective that consists of three branches: installations, set design for theatre and furniture design. “We were all very much into designing furniture, which we still do, but we turned our focus on configuring concepts without any predefined functions, which for example has led to an experimental but very successful tape installation.”
'Design is part of a total package'
Paul Tearse is an innovation design consultant and strategist who has conducted research and design development for brands across global markets with a human-centred design focus. Mr. Tearse holds a master’s degree in multidisciplinary design innovation. Paul Tearse is not your everyday designer—in fact he does not even design products. His aim is to make real positive change by identifying opportunities for innovation through products, services, experiences, and processes that add more meaning and greater value to the lives of others and generations to come. Paul researches and designs concepts and business models to lay the foundation for people and businesses to get the most out of their designs, products, and/or services. “I want them to thrive and grow,” says Paul.
'I was inspired by a design exhibition in Lucerne'
Rainer Atzlinger (1961) is a successful industrial designer from Austria and founder of the RDD Industrial Design Network in 1999. In 2006, he and Eva Reber introduced the ‘reber & rainer’ design label, which moves between tradition, craftsmanship, and design. Atzlinger has won many prizes including the Red Dot Design Awards in 2013 and 2014.
'As a car designer, tape comes along with breakfast every day'
Gaurang Nagre (February, 1989) is a young designer from India, who is currently doing his masters in Transportation Design at the Umeå Institute of Design in Sweden. He has won several prizes. During his BA thesis he did an award winning concept for Chevrolet.
'3D printing will end existing modernism'
Wim Segers, a renowned product designer from Belgium, and graphic designer Rita Westhovens founded their creative family corporation Studio Segers in 1989. Twenty years later their son Bob (product designer) and Marjan Brants (graphic designer) joined the design team. These two generations form a powerful symbiosis of experience and young creative talent. Studio Segers symbolises a no-nonsense approach where only sensible and down-to-earth concepts find their realisation. “It is our mission to transform ideas into characteristic entities”, says Wim in this special interview.