Robert van Embricqs is an award-winning Dutch designer known for his innovative, transforming furniture inspired by nature’s intricate forms—like bone structures and plant life. His minimalist approach emphasizes a unique collaboration between designer and material, allowing each piece to “unfold” into its own shape.
Connect with Robert!
https://www.instagram.com/robert_van_embricqs
https://nl.pinterest.com/robertvanembricqs
https://www.robertvanembricqs.com
CHAPTERS:
0:00 – Introduction
1:03 – Meet Robert van Embricqs
2:15 – Did Robert film and edit his own viral clips?
3:01 – Childhood creativity and how it influences his design
5:00 – Does Robert still have dreams and fantasies today?
7:05 – Educational background
9:19 – How does Robert test physics and weight distribution in his designs?
11:24 – Robert shares that he works alone in creating his designs
13:29 – What’s Robert’s production volume per design?
15:24 – How he started selling his designs internationally
16:07 – How the Dutch Queen recognized his designs at the Salone del Mobile
17:46 – Does Robert sell directly to consumers or through distributors?
18:45 – Producing older designs from his collection
19:24 – Furniture production after his viral video
21:41 – Robert shares his current and upcoming collection
25:28 – Issues he faced with design copies and replicas
29:47 – Strategy to prevent future copying of his designs
31:23 – What’s the most exciting publication Robert’s work has appeared in?
34:12 – Robert shares receiving compliments from Simon Sinek and Trevor Noah on his furniture
36:47 – Robert's advice for product designers to get featured in publications
39:21 – Robert's marketing approach for his upcoming product launches
41:22 – How do gallery partnerships work with his products?
42:14 – Rising Chair prototype and explains how it works
43:16 – How did Robert come up with his cutting and folding technique?
44:41 – How he balances his time across multiple projects
46:02 – How he organizes design ideas that come to mind
46:59 – Robert shares his admiration for the design of Alfa Romeo cars
52:47 – Robert shares why he likes the GUBI lamp
54:14 – Robert shares some models he keeps that may never become actual products
56:06 – Robert talks about his process of creating models and prototypes
57:05 – What is Robert’s design technique called?
58:45 – Robert shares his typical day and work routine
59:49 – How 3D software translates his foam models into digital 3D models
1:02:41 – Will Robert’s easel product be sold to museums or the public?
1:03:49 – Gravity testing and real-life load testing stories
1:06:55 – How he creates real-life prototypes
1:07:50 – When did Robert officially start his brand?
1:08:46 – How he learned the business side of running his design brand
1:10:19 – How he manages pricing and profit margins for his products
1:11:05 – Does Robert front the manufacturing costs for new products?
1:13:11 – Robert shares that he never expected his wall desk video to go viral
1:15:02 – How he got invited to do a TEDx Talk
1:17:53 – How Robert’s designs ended up featured in the Netflix movie Big Bug
1:21:52 – Robert's advice for designers wanting to go viral or gain media attention
1:23:52 – How Robert maintains uniqueness and handles the pressure of audience expectations
1:25:52 – How his various designs evolved from initial ideas to functional products
1:27:43 – Robert shares the creative and design process behind six of his products
1:33:16 – Robert talks about the function of his fruit bowl design
1:34:24 – Robert shares the packaging advantages of his flat-pack furniture
1:35:17 – Robert shares client feedback and how his work becomes part of their lives
1:37:00 – Focused on over the past six months?
1:38:03 – How Robert uses ChatGPT for creative and business guidance
1:40:33 – Lessons he has learned about brand positioning and pricing
1:42:27 – Robert's personal goals for the next six months
1:43:18 – Connect with Robert
1:43:59 – Outro
